“Taya Valkyrie chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about her experience on “Canadian Traitors,” being a wrestling champion, and rising musical artist.
You’ve built an incredible career in professional wrestling, but you’ve also expanded into music, television, and other creative projects. What has inspired you to explore these different sides of yourself as an entertainer?
I feel that, as wrestlers, we’re often put in a box, as if the public only sees us as one-dimensional. I’ve never been that. I’ve never been just one thing.
I draw inspiration from all aspects of entertainment. The fashion world, my favorite musical artists, the Broadway shows I grew up loving, dance, it all inspires me. All of these artists and art forms have given me the confidence to follow my other passions so fiercely.
Your debut EP, FAKE, was just released on October 22, which also happened to be your birthday! What inspired this project, and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Music has been a huge part of who I am since I was super young. If I wasn’t learning the choreography to my favorite Spice Girls music video, I was reenacting the entire Lion King musical in my living room!
I’ve always loved music that makes people dance, that brings joy, and I think I did just that with my debut EP, FAKE. I hope my music makes people smile, dance, laugh, and, most importantly, walk away with a sense of happiness and the freedom to be themselves.
Your single “FIGHT” incorporates elements of your wrestling career into your music. How have your experiences in the ring influenced your songwriting and artistic direction?
Wrestling will always be a huge part of who I am, so of course I wanted to incorporate it into my music. All the strength, power, and magic of professional wrestling can be heard throughout my songs.
“FIGHT” is actually about meeting my husband and how we love each other fiercely, both in and out of the ring. Wrestling, at its core, is storytelling, so I wanted to share part of my own story through my songwriting. They really do go hand in hand.
You recently appeared on ‘The Traitors Canada’, which challenged you in a completely different way than professional wrestling. What did you learn about yourself through that experience?
Being on The Traitors Canada was a huge dream of mine as a fan of the franchise. It pushed me so far out of my comfort zone in ways I never expected.
From being in a totally unfamiliar environment to having no control over what was happening, all while meeting incredible people from completely different walks of life, it was an experience unlike anything I’d ever done before.
It also confirmed that I am an AWFUL liar and have absolutely ZERO poker face!
You’ve achieved remarkable success throughout your wrestling career, including becoming the longest-reigning Knockouts Champion in TNA history. Looking back, what accomplishments mean the most to you, and what goals are you still hoping to achieve?
Every chapter of my career has been special in its own way, but my favorite has to be my time living full-time in Mexico City while wrestling for Lucha Libre AAA.
Training in the city with legends, navigating a place I’d never been before, and learning a new language, it was one of the hardest times in my life, but also one of the most rewarding.
The accomplishment that means the most to me has to be winning the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship for the first time, defeating lucha libre legend Faby Apache in front of a massive, sold-out crowd. What a moment!
You co-host the I Don’t Like That! podcast with Bobby Blueberry, where you discuss everything from pop culture to current events. What do you enjoy most about having that platform to share your opinions and connect with listeners?
I love being able to bring our listeners into our world, sharing pop culture headlines in our own fun and unique way.
We want our listeners to feel like they’re right there in the room with us, joining us for happy hour and in on all the jokes. Life can be hard, so we love being able to give people a little escape from it all for an hour every week.
You’ve spoken about the importance of wrestlers building their own brands and pursuing creative opportunities outside the ring. What advice would you give to other performers who want to branch out and explore new passions?
My advice would be to start NOW. Don’t wait!
The truth is, just like any job, you can’t wrestle forever, and you need to set yourself up for what’s next.
If you have an idea, execute it! Start the podcast, write the book, post the video, take an acting class. Learn, grow, and challenge yourself.
Your potential is endless. What’s stopping you?
Between your music, wrestling, television appearances, and podcast, you’re constantly evolving as an entertainer. What can fans look forward to next, and are there any dream projects you’d still love to pursue?
I have SO many dreams and goals!
Continuing to evolve is a huge part of who I am at my core, so expect the unexpected!
I want to be world champion again, keep making music, focus on acting, grow our podcast audience, and continue telling stories.
I want to perform on Broadway, bringing my own version of Roxie Hart to the stage. I want to continue writing scripted projects with my husband and learn as much as I can about every aspect of entertainment.
We only have one life, so why not be curious, take chances, and learn as much as you can about all the magical things that bring you joy?
To learn more about Taya Valkyrie, follow her on Instagram.
