This week Kail gets the exclusive on why Leah Van Dale AKA Carmella made her impromptu exit from the WWE after a twelve year career. For the first and only time Leah opens up about the disappointment she is feeling as a new mom facing an unplanned career change in the midst of celebrating the birth of her child. Kail and Leah discuss the fundamental differences between men and women's return to work after having a baby, how she hopes to see things change for women in sports and what her plans are for the future. This conversation is raw, unfiltered and most importantly relatable. For Leah’s company Snatch head to - https://www.snatch.co For the book Kail talked about The Let Them Theory click here For full video episodes head to patreon.com/kaillowry and to keep update wit h Kail and The Chaos subscribe to her newsletter at kaillowry.com Thanks for supporting the show by checking out our sponsors! Happy Mammoth: get 15% off your first order at happymammoth.com just use thecode FAMOUS at checkout. Prose: get 50% off your first hair care subscription at prose.com/famous Rocket Money: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals by going to rocketmoney.com/famous See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapter 1: Who is Leah Van Dale and why is she speaking out?
Welcome to the shit show. Things are going to get weird. It's your fave villain, Kale Lowry. And you're listening to Barely Famous. Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Barely Famous Podcast. Today we have Leah Van Dale. She's formerly known as Carmella as part of the WWE. It all started when Leah was a dancer and cheerleader for the NFL and the NBA.
And then she took the leap into the WWE, which is amazing. Leah's dad was a former pro wrestler who worked.
for the wwe and so it's not really a surprise that she made this leap i absolutely loved her character carmella and she was with the wwe for 12 years and we've been seeing all of your questions all of your comments and today we're gonna get some insight from leah herself about why her contract ended so abrupt at some point she decided she wanted to enter motherhood
Unfortunately, that meant lots of changes in other aspects of her life and deciding whether she was going to continue to be a WWE wrestler or not, or maybe it wasn't even her decision. So let's get into it with Leah Vandale. Welcome back to another episode of Barely Famous Podcast. Today we have Leah Vandale, formerly known as Carmella or Mella. Welcome to Barely Famous.
Hello, thank you for having me. I am a little bit nervous about this because this is the first time you're ever doing something like this. Yes, it is. And people who are familiar with WWE know you as Carmella. Yes. So you have been out of WWE for almost two years. Yes. But not by choice. No. So let's talk about it. Sure. And it started with... You, first of all, let me backtrack.
You were in the WWE for 12 years? 12 years, yes.
I signed in 2013, which is wild. And we're in 20, that's, 12 years is a long time. Yes, I was a baby. I just was 25, I think, when I first signed.
It's so crazy how long. But first you were a cheerleader and a dancer. Yes. But how do you make the leap from cheering and dancing to WWE?
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Chapter 2: How did Leah transition from dancing to WWE?
Such a great question because I don't know. I never in my life imagined I would end up in WWE. I was a dancer my whole life. I cheered in the NFL and then the NBA. And then it just kind of snowballed. My dad was a wrestler in the early 90s. So I was around it. I grew up watching it. But I never thought I would do it. And then this opportunity came. I had an agent for dance.
And this opportunity came to have a tryout with WWE. And I was like... whatever, let's give it a shot. And I tried out and I made it. And then the rest is just kind of history. And you've won so many titles over the years and become a fan favorite, truly. I mean, it's crazy. I never, I thought like, I mean, I never had any experience. I didn't, wrestle before I got to WWE.
And I feel like so blessed that in just a short period of time, I made it to the top. I became champion. I made history and got to be a part of this huge women's evolution. And it was such a pivotal time for women in WWE. And I'm so grateful that I got to be a part of that.
No, truly. Because I think women really changed the dynamic and the entire WWE industry. And I think that's really cool that you got to be a part of that. It's really cool.
It got to the point where it was like no longer a big deal that the women were doing all of these things. It was just like the norm. Part of it. And that's what we wanted. And it's just such an awesome, awesome feeling.
things start to take a turn about 10 years into the contract or 10 years into the franchise? Sure. Well, not necessarily a turn. I just got pregnant.
Okay. And not like a turn. It was like a great, um, great experience. I mean, I was so excited to, I always wanted to be a mom and I got pregnant and yeah, I was just so excited and everything was
Going according to plan and then I had my baby and I mean literally the best thing that ever happened to me my entire life I'm still in love with this little boy And unfortunately when I had my son I got an injury when I was giving birth I was in labor for like what felt like a year and
I went into the hospital on a Monday night and I didn't have until Wednesday afternoon and I was pushing for like three hours and having my legs up and my leg nerve behind my knee was compressed for so long that I got what's called deep fibular nerve damage. So I couldn't really walk the muscles that control the top of my foot were so damaged I couldn't walk for like weeks after having my son.
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Chapter 3: Why did Leah leave the WWE?
Exactly. I called them. I was maybe seven or eight months postpartum and I reached out to like the head of the head of everything. And I was like, Hey, I don't know. I wasn't even sure if he was aware that I had nerve damage, but I kind of laid everything out for him. And I was like, I can't wrestle, but I'd love to contribute anyway. Ken, here's my pitch.
I had an idea of like working with this tag team and being a manager. Carmela is like a huge personality. And like, I love like talking on the microphone. So like, let me help another team out in the meantime, even though I can't wrestle, but let me just contribute. And like, he loved the idea. He put me in touch with the head of creative and like, let's get it going.
And I can't wait to see you is the, what he told me literally point blank. And I was like, okay, cool. And then I was in touch with creative. They got medical clearance from my doctor, like my personal doctor saying, yes, she can travel. She just can't wrestle. Cool. And then like radio silence. I haven't heard from anyone. That was like the end of July.
I was in the middle of collaborating with them on this. And then I haven't heard anything from anyone. So everyone just ghosted? Ghosted. Ghosted. Completely ghosted. And it just, it hurts because I feel like I have always been a company girl. I've always done whatever it is they wanted me to do. I feel like I always represent the company in a professional way and do what's asked of me.
I've never gone off script or done anything where I was like, ooh, shoot, maybe I shouldn't have done that. I always do everything that's asked of me. And it just feels like a shitty way to end a 12-year career. career with the company. Like that, this is how it ended.
That's a long time. There are people who don't stay with companies for 12 years, especially in the entertainment industry, because I feel like they're the turnover and you want the next best thing, but you've been the next best thing for the all 12 years. Do you know what I mean?
It just, it sucks. I feel like is it because I'm a woman is it because I had a baby and well it is because I had a baby like point blank I when I even spoke with like they wouldn't give me any answers on the phone either I was like well why like what what's happening they're like this is just what we're going with right now I'm like They don't even think they said that.
He was just like, I'll put you in touch with legal. And I'm like legal. Like, I don't, I just want to know like why this is happening.
Like this doesn't feel right. Like you're a human being. You want real answers from a real person, not this robotic legal. And I get it. It's all, everything is a liability, but also to be treated like a human being and a woman and someone who's dedicated 12 years of your life to this, to this company.
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Chapter 4: How did Leah's pregnancy impact her WWE career?
And that's also what bothers me. It doesn't bother me that he's still with the company. I'm so glad he has a job. I'm so glad he's still there, right? But he still has a job. We had a kid and he has a job, but I don't. Like, how is that fair? You know what I mean? It's wild.
I'm thinking of, you know, being a business owner myself. If one of my girls got pregnant and had an injury, right? Related to the pregnancy or not. Sure. if they can't do the role that they were in before they got the injury, I'm going to find a place for them within the company that they can do. Right. Because I'm a girl's girl.
And I recognize that at the end of the day, like you're not just a number, you're not replaceable. You know what I'm saying? Like, of course I can have someone else fill the role, but it's not the same. Right. And I just feel like with your fan base and everything that you've brought, of course, that's so hurtful.
It's so hurtful. And the fact that I went above and beyond and tried to go back. It's not like I was like, oh, I'm fine with it. I'll just sit at home and collect my paycheck and screw you guys. I tried to go back. And for example, my husband, years ago, he had gotten several concussions. He had to retire. They let him figure out another path. Let him try commentary.
And he completely excelled at that. He's incredible. He's like one of, if not the best commentator WWE has. He's incredible. There's another guy a couple years ago, Big E. He's a friend of mine. He broke his neck, unfortunately, in the ring. But he was given the opportunity to have another avenue to succeed. Why wasn't I afforded that same opportunity?
That's what I keep asking myself because I feel like I have a lot to offer. I have a fan base. I represent the company well. Why wasn't I given an opportunity somewhere else when I've showed interest and shown that I wanted to contribute in any way that I could? And they didn't give me that opportunity, and I just... Is it because I'm a woman?
And I don't want to keep saying these things, but I just feel like it is 2025, but we still have a long way to go with equality. I think the women there are extremely underpaid compared to the men, and that's just a fact. Everyone there knows it. The women working there know it, and they maybe can't say it because they're working. So let me say it.
I'm going to say it and speak up for them because it's important. And there's just some work to do, I feel like.
For those listening who are not familiar with WWE, you have to be able to act, right? There's storylines and there's all kinds of things like that. when you, I don't want to say left cause you didn't leave when your contract was frozen and you had your son, what was the storyline that you had just like ended on?
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Chapter 5: What is Snatch and why did Leah create it?
You're better than me. Everybody's getting sued if it was me.
So you're better than me. I just feel like at the end of the day, I just don't want to deal with all of the bullshit. I just want to get better.
You're like, I want to go back to work and get better.
Yes, that's it. I just wanted to get better. And having a son and, like, I'm an athlete. Like, to not be able to, like, run and work out the way I want to and, like, jump. Like, I can get by. Everyday life, normal life, fine. It's not a big deal. I'm wearing boots with heels. It's okay. But, like, to get back into, like, full, like, what I've always done, I can't right now. And that sucks.
It's unfortunate.
So what do you tell... You have a blended family with Matt. What do you tell the kids? Do you just say, can't run around with you guys today?
I mean, like I said, my everyday life is normal. It's just like to get back into that hardcore training regimen and doing things the way I would like to do them, I just can't. Um, but I can play with the kids and dance and do stupid silly talks and things like that. Okay. Um, but it's just like getting back into like that crazy training that I would love to be able to do.
I just can't do that right now.
And that is necessary for WWE. What does that look like? What is like a regimen for someone? Oh, my gosh.
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