A nova estrela da TNA, Mickie James respondeu a 20 questões escolhidas pela própria e por John Canton que gere o site MickieJames.com juntamente com a lutadora. Nessa entrevista, Mickie aborda o porque de ter escolhido a TNA, os seus planos para o futuro, a sua carreira no ramo da musica e muito mais. Deixo-vos a entrevista em inglês para os interessados:
1. You released your first country music album “Strangers & Angels” back in May. What has been the overall reaction to it?
It’s been pleasantly surprising. I think people were expecting a lot less, so it’s cool when you exceed expectations. I’m very grateful for all the positive feedback from my peers, my fans, Country Weekly magazine, websites and recording stations that put out album reviews. Coming out of the gate and getting positive feedback for my first album was incredible. And for the Country Music Association to feature me in their debut spotlight section in their print publication was an absolute honor. To have their recognition, it gives a recording artist a sense of validation in a cutthroat competitive industry.
2. Are there any plans for a second album? Have you been recording any other music?
We haven’t written the second album yet. I’ve been writing music and I’ve got a bunch of new material, but it’s not complete. I’m hoping to get back into the studio soon, so we’d have some new material out in early 2011. We’re looking at putting out a six song EP in the early part of next year. There’s one song we have called Shining that we’ve already performed a few times and it’s a crowd favorite. That’ll likely be on the next album. We also have a song called Pickup Lines – it’s about lame pickup lines you may hear at a bar. Another one is called Eighty Proof – it’s about somebody that has to drink to put up with another person.
3. You’ve also performed on stage many times since the album has come out with the biggest one being an outdoor concert called Countryfest in your hometown of Richmond, Virginia. What similarities or differences are there singing on stage compared to wrestling in front of a crowd?
My first performance was at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville with a big lineup (Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, Jason Michael Carroll, Keith Anderson and Little Big Town). I only did one song (“Are You With Me?”) and I did pretty well. There were other concerts that came later, like my album release party, that were in intimate settings that I enjoyed. They’re different because you feel a lot closer to the crowd. At Countryfest there were thousands of people there with people I really look up to like Gretchen Wilson also on the show. I have high respect for her because she embodies the strength of women. It was also amazing to share the stage with Montgomery Gentry, who have had hit after hit and are huge in the business. I was less nervous in front of the big crowd of thousands because I guess I got used to it from all my years of wrestling. I was so fortunate to have all those years of wrestling to deal with the crowd.
4. Your fans know you for your wrestling and music careers. Are there any other outside interests or projects you are pursuing that you can talk about?
I am interested in pursuing some acting roles and expanding more into the acting field. Since I have the freedom to look into things like that I’m interested in doing it. I do have experience and I have taken acting courses in the past as well as had opportunities in the last few years such as Celebrity Fit Club and Psych. I wouldn’t be opposed to exploring into it more. I find it fascinating to play different characters. One of my favorite things about wrestling is becoming the character and losing myself in the role.
5. Coming off that, you’ve mentioned that you’ve been approached about reality TV projects. Any movement on that?
The toughest thing for me is I don’t get to watch a lot of TV and I don’t watch reality TV. I don’t want to add to “garbage television,” but if there was a way to add an amazing show that would allow people to look at it as a positive then I would think about it. And then I have to ask myself if I want to put my life out there because my time is already so limited. I don’t know if I want to put my family and friends out there like that.
6. Let’s do a relationship question for a change. You’re a single woman at the moment. On your twitter account you are often asked questions about various subjects and recently you were asked what quality you find most important in somebody you’re attracted to?
I think above all in order to keep a strong relationship the most important factor is how they make you laugh. The ability to make me laugh is crucial. I’m not talking about one of those forced laughs or laughs because you have to. I mean the whole belly, full genuine, all the way to your soul laughter to where maybe tears will come out…or even snot coming out of your nose (laughs). I think obviously you’re going to need to have intelligent conversation and a physical attraction, but the ability to laugh is key.
7. You often tweet about the gym. What does your workout regime consist of?
I work out 5 days a week. I incorporate a lot of different things. I lift twice a week, I do cardio every day. I take off two days a week too. Even on those two days I’m doing something to keep my energy up like riding my horses. It all depends on how you’re feeling that day. Like today I did a full body routine. I did cardio and a half hour of yoga. Today I was there for two hours. Your body will tell you what you need. I work out differently now than I did ten years ago. Sometimes you can get bored with the same routine. I’ll do calisthenics, like some boxing once in a while. It’s hard to train for inside the wrestling ring. I can do an hour of cardio and I’ll sweat, but it’s different than being in the ring for ten minutes. You’re using so much energy because of all the physical stuff, but also the fact that you’re thinking so much about what you’re doing in the ring. I do this really cool class at my gym in Richmond where it’s yoga, tai chi and pilates all in one. Or I’ll do those classes like body pump one day and then the other day maybe something else. Once you find what works for you, you tend to keep it.
8. It’s no secret – especially to your Twitter followers – that you have a strong infatuation with Marilyn Monroe. What does her legacy mean to you?
She fascinates me. To be able to keep a positive vibe after coming from such humble beginnings is amazing. Her life is a success of rags to riches. For me she’s just the icon that I’ve always embraced and looked up to. Every story that I read about her is about how she was very kind to everyone from the guy on the street to her co-star. She was a little diva-ish, but I think all of us have a right to be sometimes. I even painted a picture of her in high school as my junior project. She’s the image of beauty and that story of every girl having that fairy tale life. I find myself to be a lot like her in many ways. I like to have a good time just as she did, but also feel that everybody should be treated with respect.
9. Let’s try something different here. If you could sing a song with 3 different musical acts (dead or alive) either as a duet or a group who would they be and would you know what song you want to sing with them?
I think I would go with the Rolling Stones because “Wild Horses” is one of my favorite songs of all time. I would love to sing one with Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll, but he doesn’t really have duets (laughs). Another one is Dolly Parton. I love all her stuff. She’s a classic. She’s not just a singer, she’s a performer, she’s an actress, she’s a businesswoman and she’s a legend. She’s always stayed true to herself. I would love to do an original duet with Dolly. We’re both strong & independent. She’s an icon of country music, so I think we could do something that would be a good blend stylistically between us. It’s hard to pick just three because there are so many others who you are drawn to. There are others like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Reba McIntire and then somebody like Alicia Keys who sings with so much passion. There’s also Kid Rock who is southern rock, country rock and a great performer too. I could give a long list, but for top three I’ll go with the Rolling Stones, Elvis and Dolly.
10. We talked about Marilyn Monroe. What about another cultural icon that I know you adore, Elvis Presley. You recently got a new dog that you named Elvis, so obviously he inspired you in some way. Is it fair to say that as a musician that he’s somebody you look up to?
Oh absolutely. I think anybody in the music industry that doesn’t look up to Elvis is missing out. He’s the first one to dance on TV. He brought Rock & Roll out. He revolutionized the music industry for everybody. He paved the way for everybody else. I think that’s recognized across the board. I know that not everybody in the world is an Elvis fan, but we owe a lot to him. He was the first one that was more than a singer. He was pushing the border when they’d only show him from the waist up. He opened the door for every genre of music. He wasn’t afraid to push the envelope. If it wasn’t for him there may have never been the Beatles or Michael Jackson. When Michael Jackson died last year it was a big story, but when Elvis died it was an even bigger story. He was loved all over the world. The other thing about Elvis is he still went to war for our country even though he could have got out of it. I think that shows what kind of a guy he was. I named my dog (a miniature pincher) after him because I love Elvis. It’s as simple as that. And my dog is a rock star, so it seems fitting!
11. Over the course of the last few months you’ve wrestled top women’s wrestlers like ODB, Mercedes Martinez and Mia Yim to name a few. How has it felt to be wrestling on the indy scene again?
I find it humbling to go full circle and I get to see women who I never would have worked with before. Then I get to see the women who are eager up and comers that were in the same position I was in ten years ago. It’s a blessing for me to be able to give back to the business that has given me so much.
12. Can you talk about the decision process with regards to TNA and what made you to sign with them?
I think a lot of people know (TNA President) Dixie Carter attended my CD release party in Nashville in May, so we were talking. I was entertaining the move for a while. I think what made it click was working an independent gig where friends of mine were there. It made me remember why I got in wrestling in the first place. It was my genuine love for wrestling. I think sometimes it becomes a business and you forget the important details. Now I feel like I have a renewed spirit. I remember why I got into the business and it’s that love. I know that Dixie is behind me 100% with the music too. We’re going to try to work both of the schedules together. One hand feeds the other. She gets that. She wants me to be successful and to pursue music or acting if I so choose. She knows I’m representing TNA with everything that I do. That’s not a liberty that you often have in any business. I think that’s a really cool thing. It gives everybody power over their own destiny. It allows you to go after your dreams and do what you want to do. You’re still an individual.
The other thing that meant a lot to me was that she texted me on my birthday to say happy birthday. We had spoken several times before that and she came to my CD release party, but to me that spoke volumes to the kind of person she was. She promised me that she will look out for me. She told me that they supported me 100% in TNA. For her to take time out of her busy day to text me happy birthday meant a lot because it showed what kind of character she had.
13. You debuted in TNA on October 7th and you’ve made quite the impact already. What would it mean to be the first woman to hold WWE’s Women’s Championship, Divas Championship and TNA’s Knockout Championship?
I think it would be quite an honor. Obviously it’s the first thing on my list of to-dos while I’m in TNA. I think coming in and making a statement is more than just winning a championship. It’s also about making your mark, stating your place and making a big splash. Don’t underestimate me or don’t pre-judge me because of what you may assume. It shows every knockout in the locker room that I’m a force to be reckoned with.
14. Talk a little about the song “Hardcore Country” that is your entrance music in TNA. How did it come about?
I worked on it with Serg Salinas (Dixie’s husband) & Dale Oliver while I was home, before I made my debut. Then I got to Nashville, we went into the studio and cut the vocals. We almost changed it from Hardcore Country to Outlaw Woman. Everything in wrestling seems to be hardcore, so to me it seemed too easy. They had talked to different people and they were looking at it from the country music side where you’ve never heard of Hardcore Country before. The more I listened to it they were right. It works. It’s a badass song.
15. Is it going to be available on iTunes or elsewhere for fans to listen to?
Yes it will be on iTunes in the near future and we also shot a video. It doesn’t hurt to ask TNA for it so it can come out faster (laughs).
16. You made your in-ring debut on Impact with new ring gear. Was it easy to make the change from what we’re used to seeing? Was the change your decision?
The change was my decision because I think it’s hard to change my style, but I wanted to make it unique to TNA. I wanted something fresh and new. It ties more into what I’m doing on the music side as well. It’s more me. I think my gear throughout the years is unique to me. I try to separate myself from everybody in the locker room and I wanted something that was true to me. This was as real as it gets. I’m a Native American down home country girl that will do a warpath on your ass.
17. This past Sunday at TNA Turning Point you had a match with Tara that ended up being in a brawl that spilled all over the arena. When it got broken up the fans were chanting “Let Them Fight!” and later on in the show it continued backstage. Where do you see it going?
It was pretty incredible. It was my first PPV singles match in TNA, so it was my debut in terms of that. I think there’s no doubt that the history between Tara and I is great. She’s definitely one of the best in the business. We brought the fight to eachother. I think we raised the bar for our locker room and any locker room around the world. It was a lot of fun. I know both of us are hurting for certain today (Monday), but it was really cool to raise the bar for ourselves and the business. We’ve heard a lot of comments about how not only was it possibly the match of the night, but ladies match of the year. To have a women’s match get such high praise is an honor. Women’s wrestling is not fluff. We can go just as hard as the guys. That’s why we are in this business. We are wrestlers. We’re not just eye candy who are out there to look good. You heard the crowd chanting “Let Them Fight!” and it was an awesome feeling. I’m excited to see what’s next. I think this is the just the beginning of an all out war.
18. In today’s age of social networking there are a lot of phonies out there, so can you clear the air about ways fans can read up on information about you and also get in touch with you via twitter and facebook?
The place to find everything Mickie James is here at mickiejames.com where you, John, do a great job of keeping everybody updated. I use Twitter, my account is twitter.com/mickiejames and my Facebook fan page is at facebook.com/mickieljames. I don’t have a Myspace. I’m very active on Twitter and the only thing I can promise is constant entertainment. I’m trying to learn the old Bookface, but I’m not very good at it. With that said I have you helping me with that John and I’m learning! You can follow along with all the Mickie James news on my facebook page, so “like” me would you?
It frustrates me when people have fake accounts and pretend to be anybody that they are not. It shows the weakness of themselves that they’re so unhappy with that they have to be somebody else for satisfaction. Nobody else can be them, but them. I hate the posers, but I still love my haters. Not as much as I love my James Gang, though!
19. You’ve been through a lot in 2010 from dealing with an injured knee earlier in the year, to being released by WWE, to releasing your first country music album and then signing with TNA recently. With 2011 around the corner, where do you see your career in the next year and beyond?
I’d say 2010 was definitely an eye opener for me. There was a lot of change, some good and some unexpected ones too. There were doors being slammed in my face and doors were opened as well. It was a big year for me career wise as well as a person. You don’t see the changes right away, but it’s all a part of growing. It opened my eyes a lot to what kind of person I am. I think as long as I can do what I love and be who I am with no reservations and no expectations it makes it easier on me. I can hold my head high, believe in myself and not worry about what somebody else thinks. I try to stay true to myself and I guess sometimes that can rub people the wrong way. With that said I think 2010 was a huge growing time for me. I learned a lot this year. If you like me great; if you don’t that’s okay too. You can never please everybody in this world. Right now I’m doing what I can to make myself happy and I hope my fans will join me for the ride.
It’s like that scene in Dirty Dancing when Johnny walks back in during the middle of the assembly and he walks up to the table. He says “nobody puts baby in the corner.” And he grabs her hand and they walk up to the stage. He goes: “We’re going to do the dance that we want to do to the kind of music that we want to do it to.” That’s kind of how my life is right now. And that’s what I’m doing. (Editor’s Note: I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing, so Mickie yelled at me for five minutes straight telling me to go watch. Haha. It was a playful yell. She also asked me to mention this in the interview. Consider that done, but watching that movie? I don’t think so Mickie. Sorry.)
I think that I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my life just like anybody else. That’s what makes us grow as human beings. The one constant in life is change. People come and go, things come and go. Some of my lowest moments have been this year, so I feel like the only place to go in 2011 is up, up and up. I’ve always been one to believe in positivity and I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ll be hopeful that it works out next year as well as into the future.
20. Do you have any final words for your fans?
I just want to say thank you for all of your support from before, but to my loyal fans who have stuck with me in this transitional phase. I love them. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and do it on the stage that I do it. I am forever grateful. James Gang for life (JG4L).
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