WWE posted a video with SmackDown Live star Zelina Vega discussing her role in “Fighting With My Family”. Vega plays AJ Lee in the film, which is based on Paige and her professional wrestling family. Vega talked about playing Lee, and knowing WWE legend The Rock for several years before getting the part in the film without having to audition. Here are the highlights:
Playing AJ Lee: “Well, I play AJ Lee, the Divas Champion, and it was something that I really found a connection with her because we both were into video games, we’re both a little bit of some nerds. So, it was really easy to just really submerge myself into her, and become her for that moment,” Vega said.
Knowing The Rock before getting the part without having to audition: “Actually I’ve known Dwayne Johnson for around 5 years now, and I was going through a period of time where I was trying to get to WWE and it wasn’t easy,” Vega said. “It took me around 8 years to get here. But at a time where I was struggling to become a WWE Superstar and struggling to become an actress, I texted him one day and I was like, ‘I’m at the end of my rope here, what do you suggest I do?
“Please give me some guidance.’ He’s like, ‘Actually I’ve been working on something for the past few days now, give me a little bit and I’ll call you.’ So I was like, OK and didn’t think anything of it. And then he call me and he said, ‘So I have this project that we’re working with and it’s based on this documentary on Paige, and her family, and her life in wrestling.
“I would love for you to be involved. So I was like, ‘OK, sweet. I’ll probably just get a little scene in the background and that’d be great.’ And he’s like, ‘No, I want you to be champion. I want you to be my Divas Champion. And you don’t even have to audition for the role, it’s yours. I know you can do it.’
“Of course, the waterworks and all that came afterwards, but it was pretty incredible because he’s somebody that’s believed in me from the start.”
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions
