WWE Interview: Charlotte Talks WWE’s Partnership With Susan G. Komen And The ‘Rise Above Cancer’ Campaign
During the month of October, WWE partners with the Susan G. Komen foundation in order to spread more awareness about breast cancer. This year, WWE is donating 20 percent of all retail sales of all co-branded merchandise sold on WWEshop.com. While purchasing co-branded merchandise, fans have the opportunity to donate up to $20 to the charity when they check out.
Since 2012, the WWE has helped raise over $1.5 million for breast cancer research. Not only is the WWE a sports entertainment giant, but they also raise the bar for philanthropy each time. Charlotte, the current WWE Divas champion, is a part of the “Rise Above Cancer” campaign. She recently spoke with the Inquisitr about the partnership with Susan G. Komen, their campaign and the Divas Revolution.
Inquisitr: First off, what does it mean to be a part of the Rise Above Cancer initiative?
Charlotte: “Two things: One, we have a huge female audience. So, to be able to spread awareness and, especially, the importance of early-detection check-ups; that’s probably one of the biggest factors of breast cancer, is early detection. Two, my sister’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy.”
“My half-sister underwent a procedure. In the last two years, knowing her story and seeing her struggle, and what it’s been like for her and her mom. Having the opportunity to have the platform that the WWE has with global social media, I’m honored to be able to be a part of it and help spread awareness.”
Inquisitr: Would you say that being there for them and showing your support is the right start to try to raise awareness for breast cancer?
Charlotte: “Most definitely. I know, at times, I felt helpless. I just wasn’t able to do enough for my sister. All I could do was listen. I couldn’t take her pain away, or what she was feeling, or make things better for her, except being a shoulder to cry on. Being on the main roster and with it being October, I feel that I can give back now, because I do have that platform and I can raise awareness. I am here to listen. I might not have had breast cancer, but I can understand what you’re going through because of a family member.”
“My sister’s mother would not be here today if she hadn’t had her yearly check-up. It’s kind of one of those things that people don’t want to go to the doctor or ‘I don’t need to go this year,’ but they know the importance of what early detection does for women with breast cancer.
Inquisitr: Along with Make-A-Wish, the Special Olympics and the Conors Cure Foundation, the WWE is, I would say, a world leader in philanthropy and giving back. What’re your thoughts on the WWE being a world leader in not just sports entertainment?
Charlotte: “You have Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Monday Night Raw, the WWE Network, live events, pay-per-views and we travel all over the world. The fact that we do take part in all of these different campaigns just speaks volumes. We’re not just an entertainment company, but we take the opportunity of how many people we’re able to reach out to, how many people watch our show, you turn on the TV to be entertained.”
“Being able to reach out — to say that we support this cause — we’re raising awareness, raising money for certain things that are real life. It’s a huge opportunity and a privilege to be a part of a company that does that.”
Inquisitr: I’ll give you one statistic that jumped out at me. Since 2012, the partnership between the WWE and Susan G. Komen has raised over 1.5 million dollars. Are there enough words to describe how impactful that is to breast cancer awareness?
Charlotte: “It just goes to show how important we take the month of October and how many people we must be reaching to raise that much money, especially with 20 percent of merchandise being donated to Susan G. Komen — then, when you are buying merchandise, you can donate $1, $5 or $10 — that it’s making a difference.”
“I think that’s the biggest thing to take away from that. People say, ‘Does it really make a difference that you’re turning your profile picture pink?’ It does. It helped raise $1.5-million. That’s the biggest thing people should take away from that. Every little bit counts.”
Inquisitr: You’ve become a role-model since your ascension to the main roster. When your music hits and you come out on that ramp, I’m, like, surveying the crowd to see what their reactions are. There are smiles across the entire arena each time you’re on television. What does that mean to you?
Charlotte: “It means so much to me. First of all, being a kid, it’s so important to have someone to look up to. For being as young as I am, I’ve been thru a lot in my twenties. To know that I have the platform to reach out to little girls, teenagers and women of all ages, but having someone to look up to and inspire you and to be you, which is why I post so many workout selfies, quotes and things of that nature.”
“It’s important to have someone to look up to and to be positive. For me, walking out, knowing that there’s a little boy or girl that saw me and said, ‘Because of Charlotte, I’ll never give up,’ that’s what I’m here to do. Obviously, wrestling is my passion and I want to be the Divas champion, but if I can do that and inspire little girls, boys or families to live out their dreams, then I’m doing something right.”
Inquisitr: I feel that’s what the Divas Revolution — when it began — really what it was about. Like the Serena Williams’ and the Ronda Rousey’s, you guys are making an impact and really starting to be the figurehead of the women’s movement in sports.
Charlotte: “Well, most importantly, women empowering other women is what’s taken off within the WWE. For all of us, we all collectively have goals and want to be taken more [seriously] than eye candy. We want to show that we are just as athletic, and we want to be taken as serious as the other superstars. With the Ronda Rousey’s and Serena Williams’, it has been the year of the female athlete.”
“So, not that we’re just jumping on the bandwagon, but women’s wrestling started way before us. When Lita and Trish Stratus main-evented, this has been something that’s been going on for a while now. Now, there’s a little more focus on our in-ring ability.”
Inquisitr: 2015 is almost over and you said this was the year of the female athlete. Is there still more that you want to accomplish by the end of the year? Where do you want the Divas Revolution to go by the end of the year and into 2016?
Charlotte: “We’ve got two months left and I’m going to probably have a rematch with Nikki Bella at some point. So, if I do end up having a rematch, wanting to keep the Divas title; and then, 2016 being even bigger than this year. Bigger goals, like main-eventing, more pay-per-views and maybe bringing up Bayley. That would add another Diva and Natalya being a part of the Divas Revolution.”
“I don’t want people to think that the Divas Revolution started when the three of us debuted and then it’ll end. This is something that will continue to grow, kind of like it did in NXT. When on the main roster, there’s more of an importance to the women, as a whole.”
Inquisitr: WWE.com posted a teaser for Monday Night Raw that Team B.A.D may become a threat to your Divas championship. Could we see a match between you and Sasha Banks for the Divas title in the future?
Charlotte: “I hope so. I know she has a big match on Wednesday against Bayley. So, I’ll let her focus on that, but I hope to face Sasha Banks sooner, rather than later.”
Inquisitr: Full disclosure, I’m rooting for all of you to main event WWE Raw or a pay-per-view. I think it would be an amazing feat and it would be the culmination of what you guys are trying to accomplish. Honestly, it won’t stop there. We want to see you guys in the main event. I feel it’s much-deserved.
Charlotte: “I know it’s a goal of mine and a goal of the other girls. With Sasha and Bayley main-eventing Takeover Respect on Wednesday, I do see the women main-eventing on the main roster if not [in] 2015, but 2016.
Inquisitr: There are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. What are your words to them? Not just the survivors, but the people still fighting with breast cancer?
Charlotte: “To all the survivors, I hope to have as much courage and strength as they do. They’re the ones that are really showing true strength. Knowing that they’ve overcome something like breast cancer, they have this support from me and from the WWE. We’re thankful that they’re here and we’ll continue to raise awareness and help others with what they’ve been through.
[Photo courtesy of WWE/community.wwe.com]
