Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose are currently enemies on WWE television, but the real-life best friends once had an idea for a storyline that would have presented them as a couple if it came to fruition. During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated , Deville opened up about the proposed angle, and what their future plans are regarding it.
“Me and Mandy [Rose] pitched an LGBTQ story on Total Divas over two years ago, and it didn’t work out, but I wouldn’t change anything. That’s not to say representation can’t be portrayed differently in the future. Inclusivity in every form is important, especially in WWE, and that’s something I’ve talked about over the past few years with the company. So never say never with that story coming around full circle, but I love where I’m at right now and I love what my character is doing.”
Deville didn’t reveal why the angle was rejected, but it could have been because WWE wanted to eventually break the team up and have them feud. Back in 2019, the company also explored an LGBTQ romance in a controversial storyline featuring Lana and Liv Morgan, which many fans and pundits found offensive due to its soap opera-esque nature. Deville wasn’t a fan either.
Deville’s idea for an LGBTQ romance storyline seems more positive, however. If it happens, this would be a first for the company as these types of angles have arguably been mishandled in the past. Deville might be the most ideal candidate for an angle of this ilk as well, given that she was one of the first LGBTQ superstars in WWE to come out.
Deville previously made history when she came out as the first openly gay female performer in WWE. The superstar is also a passionate proponent of equality, and she wants to use her platform to promote these values. According to her, the promotion is a “diverse and accepting” community, and she believes it has the power to encourage people to be open-minded and inclusive.
While Deville is keen on participating in a romantic storyline with Rose, she also believes that WWE can empower LGBTQ performers by presenting them the same way they do every other wrestler. She has been dominating the Friday Night SmackDown women’s division in recent weeks, and she’s really come into her own as a character as a result. According to Deville, being allowed to showcase her talent goes a long way in making the company an inclusive place.
