Sonya Deville hasn't had much to do on the main roster over the past year, but she's finally been given a storyline of sorts as she feuds with frequent ally Mandy Rose on SmackDown Live.
During a recent interview, Deville talked about coming out for the first time on television in the 2015 season of Tough Enough and while it was a spur of the moment decision, it's one she's happy with.
"It was one of those spontaneous moments. It truly wasn’t planned, but I’m so grateful that it happened because after that, it not only gave me a new realization of what it means to be open and true to myself, but I feel like it helped me inspire other people.
"If you’re scared to do it, my advice would be “do it,” because it was the best thing that ever happened. I’m not saying there’s not going to be trials and tribulations along the way, but in the end, the best life you can live is the life where you’re true to yourself."
It's never been mentioned in storylines (aside from Total Divas) but Deville continues to be open about her sexuality online and in interviews and she considers it as something important for fans to see.
"My goal in talking about my sexuality publicly is just so that a scared little girl or little boy can see me do it and think, 'Wow, if she did it, then maybe it’s OK that I do it,'" she explains. "It’s to encourage people to be themselves. Equality for all is what we should all want, between race, religion, gender, sexuality… it doesn’t matter. We’re all equal and we should treat each other as such."
With any luck, Deville will get the push she deserves because sexuality aside, she's one of SmackDown Live's most talented female Superstars and a great athlete to boot.