Alicia Fox has been in the WWE for nearly a decade, kicking butt and looking good while doing it. She prides herself on her work ethic, her out of control wardrobe and has provided no shortage of drama and hilarious entertainment on “Total Divas.”
We got the chance to chat with “Miss Foxy” about the drama in WWE, how she stays busy, what it’s like behind the scenes and girl power.
True to form, the Diva had no shortage of words.
CraveOnline: What can we expect from this season of “Total Divas?”
Alicia Fox: Our usual collection of heartbreak, friendship evolutions and a little conflict with the whole Eva [Marie] thing but we’re all a good, happy and healthy family now. Just a lot of exciting things and more extensions of our personalities and showing what it really takes to be a Diva and how our road life is with just a whole other season of fun and excitement.
Heat with Eva Marie?
CraveOnline: You brought up the conflicts with Eva Marie. What’s the deal with that conflict?
Alicia Fox: Yeah, poor girl, we put her through the ringer [laughs]. To be fair, she kind of dragged us through the ringer as well. She’s great though. It’s really cool because it was a big learning experience for all of us. We are on the road all the time and we’re always in close contact with each other so sometimes people get their feelings hurt and you don’t even realize you’re hurting someone’s feelings. It was all really cool because we all figured out that it was a lack of communication and lack of getting people’s information. Looking back on it, it’s kind of funny [laughs] how we were all like “rawr! Girls can be catty but the best thing is we all figured it out and brought us closer.
“So awkward”
CraveOnline: Since the show airs a few months after the fact, does it feel awkward to watch yourself on screen?
Alicia Fox: So awkward. It’s not just me. It’s all of the girls. We all have a hard time and watch it with one eye closed and kind of like peaking through our fingers. We’re quite excited it’s starting next Tuesday to get some feedback from the fans and then share how we have grown and learned from the last couple of months together … I don’t know if you’ve ever done plays or auditions and when you watch it back and you’re like ‘O God! Why did I do that?’
We saw a couple of the pre-edits and some of my outfits I’m just like ‘really?’ In my head I was like ‘that’s cool’ but I’m looking back as a fan and see it and I’m like ‘what was I thinking?’ It’s almost like when you have lipstick on your teeth and no one tells you. Why did I walk out of the house like that [laughs]?
CraveOnline: One thing I have always found interesting is your one-on-one interviews on the show. Since the show airs months later, do you and the girls ever find yourselves getting upset at what each other said in private?
Alicia Fox: All the time [laughs]. In the green-screen room it’s pretty laid back with you and the interviewer. The interviewer and the producer experienced these things we are discussing with you so you’re kind of having an open conversation with the interviewer. Sometimes they’ll go ‘But yeah, that one time when she said this’ and then you’ll go ‘Did that sound mean? Did it come off like that?’ Then they will edit you back and you’ll think it’s okay but then the other girls in the locker room will go ‘Why would you say that about me?’ and I’m like ‘Oh my God I’m so sorry.’ Sometimes we’ll all go back and correct a couple of things. It’s all in good spirits. No one is intentionally trying to hurt anyone’s feelings and that I can promise you.
Mandy Rose as the new blood on “Total Divas”
CraveOnline: The cast has some new blood on the show with Mandy Rose [Amanda Saccomanno]. How did you welcome her to the show? Was there an initiation?
Alicia Fox: Mandy’s casting was a total surprise to us. It’s actually kind of funny how they set us up. We were at a talent meeting and all of a sudden they said you’re going to Paris and we’re like ‘Yay.’ Then they said there’s a new “Total Divas” member and we’re like ‘Huh?’ Then they said it was Mandy and we’re like ‘Who is this?’ Luckily I was introduced to her and got to work with her because I had her finale match on WWE’s “Tough Enough” and she’s a great girl. She’s so cool and so sweet but we didn’t make her do anything like eat 10 eggs and do all of this crazy stuff to be included but the biggest thing for us was to show her support.
It’s not just that she’s the new kid but it’s like she’s the new kid and she doesn’t know how to wrestle, she hasn’t been on the main roster, she doesn’t know our personalities and we don’t know who she is and everything else. She’s really brave enough to open her life to America without having any idea what she’s doing. The last thing we wanted to do was make her feel uncomfortable so we got together as a group and decided to try and make her feel as comfortable during this experience as possible.
“You’re in the spotlight to define the division and to make us look good.”
CraveOnline: How competitive is it in the locker room when it comes to someone getting a push or the Divas title? Is there legitimate happiness or do you find yourself wanting that spot?
Alicia Fox: We understand that we’re in the entertainment business and our main goal is to entertain our fans. We understand that and when girls win the title it’s nothing we take personal. It’s more of an uplifting thing. You’re in the spotlight to define the division and to make us look good. It’s girl power all the way. There is still a high level of competition because in the gut of our stomachs, we all want to be the best. It’s because we’re all driven and hardheaded workers and we’re creators. We all want the platform to create.
It’s competitive in that sense but it’s not so competitive that we’re going to go stab each other in the back. At the same time we understand what comes with that responsibility to be Divas champion, to be a Diva and even be on the show. Having any more negative energy and adding anything like that to the equation doesn’t benefit anybody or our brand.
“Team Foxy” and being a veteran
Alicia Fox: I know, right? We always joke about that. It’s quite the privilege to be the longest Diva in the locker room. It’s funny because 10 years went so fast. Back when I started with Kelly Kelly we were kind of like the first non-wrestling experience model Divas and had to learn the WWE state of mind. We didn’t know what to expect and they didn’t know what to expect so it was an interesting journey both personally and professionally. When it comes Team Fox and Team Bella, everyone knows who’s the leader of the Divas [laughs]. I don’t care because “Bella” in English means beautiful so “Team Beautiful” sounds pretty cool to me.
Guilty Pleasures
CraveOnline: You’re on the road constantly so what are your guilty pleasures?
Alicia Fox: I am such a sucker for the BCBG Outlet in Chicago. My guilty pleasure would be all of the hot shopping spots and where I can get a good deal or in Portland where there’s no tax. That’s my guilty pleasure but the conflict with that is, I always over pack so I can never make it through checking my bags without paying an overweight fee. I’m not much of a “snacky person” but I love Sour Patch Kids. I eat those like they’re going out of style. I’m obsessed with coffee so that’s a whole other problem and shopping. That’s pretty much it.
CraveOnline: I remember last season on “Total Divas” they showed your closet and yeah, you have a problem.
Alicia Fox: [Laughs] Yeah. It’s little bit of an issue. I’m like a fashion hoarder. If I see something I’m like ‘Oh wow! I would really like that in my treasure chest.’ It was like when you played with Barbie and for some reason you want every Barbie.
“I’m kind of nerdy.”
CraveOnline: What is in the “Alicia Fox survival kit” while you’re on the road?
Alicia Fox: I have to have a book. I’m kind of nerdy but I’m obsessed with reading. I got to know everything. Right now I’m in this ‘I’m 30 and have to prepare for womanhood’ kind of mission. I get on the road and I probably bring about three to five books with me. That goes against the luggage weight too. So I’d go with a book, a notebook and a nice pen.
CraveOnline: What are you currently reading?
Alicia Fox: I just got the “Magic of Thinking Big” by David Schwartz. It was given to me by my mentor who’s a good friend of mine. What I love about this book is it was published in 1959 so this thing has been around.
Inspiration
CraveOnline: Who inspires your in-ring work and your promo work?
Alicia Fox: With promo work, I guess I’m more inspired by the real instances I’ve had socially or in the locker room. I’m developing a little softer, sassier kick sometimes. With my in-ring work, watching my current colleagues in the ring really inspires me. I really like watching Alberto Del Rio. I like his aggression stuff. I love watching Brie [Bella] because she’s automatically the babyface because she’s so cute. There’s so many but I keep getting inspired by everyone.
The future
CraveOnline: What can we expect from you in the future when it comes to “Total Divas” and your WWE career?
Alicia Fox: I’m going to work and hard and continue to be a role model. I’m interested in a couple of things in fashion. I would love to start a fashion lab where I can test drive certain designs. My friends have been sending me some of their pieces and we’ll take it and just wreck it. I’m also interested in going back to school. I’m interested in becoming Divas champion again. I would love to be on “Total Divas” again this year and go on that journey. I would love to host tea parties and mentor younger girls like myself who are trying to find their way. It’s all about women empowerment.
E!’s “Total Divas” premieres on Tuesday, January 19th at 9pm/ET.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for Crave, a surfing enthusiast, an unhealthy sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photos courtesy of E! and WWE
(Cover photo: Getty images)
