During a recent interview with Teen Vogue, activist Olivia Julianna credited WWE for giving her the confidence to stand up to US Congressman Matt Gaetz. The Congressman made some controversial comments at the Turning Point USA Summit regarding women who are pro-choice. When Julianna heard about the comments, she responded on Twitter with the following:
“Its come to my attention that Matt Gaetz—alleged pedophile—has said that it’s always the ‘odious.. 5’2 350 pound’ women that ‘nobody wants to impregnate’ who rally for abortion. I’m actually 5’11. 6’4 in heels. I wear them so the small men like you are reminded of your place.”
When asked about the confidence she found to stand up against Congressman Gaetz, Julianna referenced the promos wrestlers would cut in WWE.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said this in an interview but I grew up obsessed with professional wrestling and WWE and I truly believe that my comeback ability and my confidence in times of arguments or attacks 100% comes from years of watching WWE and scripted conflict. In wrestling it’s called “mic work” where pro wrestlers will get on the mic and will be the villain or they’ll be the face which is the good guy. I had years of watching storylines taking on authority figures or “bad guys.”
It made me develop a quick wit to respond in this situation. I mean, I was obsessed. I had posters of John Cena. My nana got me into it. She developed Alzheimer’s when she was young but she always remembered how much she loved watching WWE. When I was four or five visiting her house, wrestling was always on the TV. The love for it got instilled in me a young age. I was really into it as a kid.“
Juliana used her notoriety to raise $400,000 in abortion funds. The 19-year-old confirmed that she received hateful body shamming comments after standing up to the Congressman.
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