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Teri
Byrne, as she appears in Playboy Magazine |
TB:
Last September.
MB: Wow.
That gave us six weeks of quality girl-time together. We knew
that we had an inexplicable bond . . .
TB:
A chemistry.
MB:
We could all be coming from the gym together, just looking torn up -
just had a great work out, sweaty - and people would stop us all the time.
"Who are you girls?" Or they knew us as The Nitro Girls.
People were always attracted to us. Not just physically.
We had that chemistry that made people |
attracted
to us. It made us say, "Hey, we've got such a special
bond here. You can't BUY this." And it was just the
extra thing that we had the diverse looking going on. Latin. Asian. African-American.
Red-headed Irish sex kitten there . . . and Me, the crazy little
blond Italian. It was God guiding us together and then it was
something that made so much sense that we couldn't deny it.
When
you and I spoke last springtime, this wasn't on the radar yet?
TB:
Well, I can't say it wasn't going on. It was something we were
talking about. Like Melissa said, we've all been together -
even though some of us weren't on TV and we were all doing different
things with our careers. It was something so many people were
approaching us with. The number one thing I was hearing from my
fans was that they missed the original team and the wanted to know
when they could see us together again. It seemed like the fans
wouldn't let it go. We were still together so much as friends,
we decided to pursue it and see what happens. At the time, we
were trying to keep it on the low-low. We weren't sure how
serious we were going to be about it, so we were trying to keep it
quiet until we knew what was going to happen and that we had an
awesome product.
Who
is guiding the project? Who is deciding the sound? Is it
something the girls collectively decided? Is there a mastermind
behind the project?
MB:
We definitely, collectively have equal say in what direction we want
to go. It has been an evolving process. It really has.
We're starting on some new songs that are going to be different than
what is on the website www.Diversity5.com right now. Teri and I
have been the 'masterminds' business-wise. The other girls were
still busy working with WCW [until their release this past February
and the company's subsequent collapse and purchase by WWF], so Teri
and I had to take the reigns to really make this more of a reality.
Everyone has equal say and contribution in what direction we're going next.
TB:
The best part about our sound is that we have a great dance song on
there, which just seems natural for us to do because we've danced
together for so long and fans are going to love it. We also
have a pop song on there, which is a natural progression. Our
next song is going to be a little more rock. Our music is
turning out to be as diverse as we are. We really like that.
We haven't pigeon-holed ourselves into one genre of music. We
are able to do all of it. We all have different sounds.
We all come from different backgrounds. Our music is going to
be a mixture of rock, pop, dance music fusion. It makes us even
more unique.
I
hear the next track is going to be decidedly more rock-oriented.
Who does the writing?
TB:
We do!
MB:
Actually, the next song is one I wrote!
TB:
And it's probably going to be the hottest of the songs yet.
Very sultry.
MB:
Yeah, very sexy!
So,
you dance, you wrestle, you crack backs and you sing. Is there
anything you CAN'T do - and you're not looking to conquer?
<Laughing!>
TB:
If there is, we haven't found it yet!
MB:
Really, what has been really fun, is that we're looking at what kind
of role-models we can be for women. People get put in
stereotypical categories. People look at one person for
her body. Another person might not be so pretty, but people
look at her for her brain. We're showing that women can be
sexy, be beautiful, be talented - but they don't have to stop there.
They can be a doctor. They can be a CPA. They can be songwriters.
They can wear sexy clothes. We're here to show they can do it all.
You don't have to stop at doing just one thing. That's what's
so exciting. As women, yes, we like that we have sex appeal.
We like that we can be attractive to men. But we want to put
out a message to women that they can be empowered. Be empowered
by us!
TB: Exactly.
You
have to realize that with the "girl power" theme you're
telling me about - especially with the look - you're going to get
compared to The Spice Girls.
MB:
We're definitely not trying to be "Girl Power." We're
trying to put out a stronger message. We're not speaking to 10
year olds saying, "Love your best friends." That's
very important as well. What we've all talked about, though, is
that so many groups out there are very young and are appealing to the young.
While we definitely want to appeal to the young, we want to be proud
that we're women. We've got bodies. We've got personalities.
We've got talent. I don't think we're trying to be so
cartoonish, I think, as the Spice Girls. Teri, help me out here.
TB:
We're definitely going to be original from any other girl-group out there.
The main thing is not so much our look, it's the age-group we're in.
We're not the 17, 18-year old kids. We're not the 20-year old boy-bands.
We're strong, independent women. Yeah, we have a diverse look,
but we're completely different in the message and the image we send.
The Spice Girls cater to young girls junior-high age. I think
we're going to be appealing to a more adult audience.
Teri,
Melissa says you're not trying to be cartoonish, but, Teri, you're
launching your own comic book line!
TB:
I know! I'm so excited about that. You know what, though?
My comic character is perfect for me: she's a bounty hunter!
She's very strong. She's independent. She's feminine.
She has a softer side, but she's tough. It's very different
than many of the comics out there. The comic [entitled
"Stiletto"] will be published by Gypsy Press and will
actually debut at the Wizard World convention in Chicago on August 17.
The book hits the nationwide newsstands in October. There is a
preview available at www.GypsyPressComics.com.
The artwork is HOT, I assure you!
What
made you decide to do that project?
TB:
When I left my previous job in the wrestling industry, it was a
natural transgression to go into the comic industry. I had
several artists - such as Dorian Cleavenger, |

The
women of Diversity
5 |
widely
considered the most influential artist in the fantasy genre, and
Monte Moore - do illustrations based on my likeness. They were a huge
success with my fans. I crossed over into a new genre and
started appearing at the comic conventions. More and more
artists became familiar with me and started doing work based on me.
Soon I had a whole collaboration of artwork. From there,
several different comic book companies approached me. Now I've
finally found a comic book company I think is going to do an awesome job.
I really like the concept they have. David Nestler and Matt
Hughes are doing covers. Deacon Black is the chief pencil
artist for the interior of the book. His work is really phenomenal.
I'm really fortunate. There are so many great artists that are
going to be working on this project together, I don't know how it
couldn't be a success.
I've
seen some of the artwork that's been done, and you have some pretty
interesting fantasy art of you.
TB:
I know. I know! And I seem to have new artwork popping up every month!
I also hope to have all of my artwork published this Fall, so keep
your eyes on the magazine stands.
Melissa,
any aspiration to follow in Teri's footsteps into fantasy artwork?
<Laughing
from all.>
MB:
Well . . . uhm . . . You see . . . I'm the flirty little playful one
of the group. If they were to do any fantasy artwork of me,
it would be like the "Power Puff Girls."
TB:
She's a total Power Puff Girl!
MB:
I'm "Bubbles" of the Power Puff Girls. I'm the
biggest defender of my girls. I'm the total cheerleader - but
not in an annoying way. At least I'd like to think I'm not too annoying.
TB:
Not at all.
MB:
I try to be the fun, the positive, upbeat voice that rallies everyone.
Teri's character is like her personality, which is strong, it's intense. Me?
I just don't know what people would do fantasy art on me. If
any of us out of the group would be a cartoon - in the traditional
sense, though - it would be me.
TB:
They could do a cartoon for Saturday morning on you.
MB:
I actually looked into doing cartoon voiceovers - because that's my personality.
I'm the bubbly one of the group.
So,
how do Sharmell, Vanessa and Chae find time to work on this project
with you? [At the time, all three were still with WCW in on-air roles.
Since they have been released from their contracts.]
TB:
It is a challenge. All three are doing so much traveling.
And then the five of us have so much to do as a group.
We're in vocal lessons regularly. We're rehearsing. We're
writing songs. And we're in the recording studio working on new music.
That's where Melissa and I come in. We're coordinating travel
schedules and making sure that, when we're here, we're making the
most of our time.
Where
are you planning to take this music? Are you promoting it to
radio and video outlets?
TB:
That's the next step.
MB:
We're working on a commercial. Right now we're promoting
ourselves independently. Our attorney is shopping for record
labels for us. We've had a producer come to us with the idea of
starting a little mini-series on our website.
TB:
A web drama.
MB:
Basically we would have a little five minute drama that would be on
the site. We've got a hot poster that just came out. And
then there's our next single. We're working on other songs and
video compilation. There are things that we'll only offer on
the website - keeping true to our internet fans that have helped
launch our careers. That's why we've decided to start here!
And
we thank you. Was all this the reason you were recently
spotted at the WWF restaurant in New York?
<Laughing>
MB:
I suppose we can say what we were doing up there now, right Teri?
TB:
I suppose we can!
MB:
We were up there meeting with one of the marketing groups interested
in possibly promoting us. We were meeting with members of the
Gray Alliance. They were having a big launch party promoting
the Pantene Pro V tour. We just had to go over [to WWF New
York], since we were right there in Times Square. We ended up
causing quite a stir.
TB:
Yeah, it was amazing. We were barely out of the limo and we
were having pictures taken. It was crazy.
MB:
The managers didn't know what to do! They were like, "Do
we kick them out? Do we let them stay?" We had a 10-minute
photo shoot.
It
certainly threw your names up all over the internet again.
TB:
That's awesome though!
MB:
It caused quite a controversy, but we love that. It was fun.
So
what should we expect next from you?

Diversity
5 |
TB:
I don't know if the next thing will be the poster or the next singles.
We're also working on the commercial. We're also going to be
playing the CD on the radio soon. We've got a lot of great
things coming up.
And
we can expect the comic on stands in October? |
TB:
Absolutely.
I
can't let you go without asking if there's anything additional
planned with Playboy. Last time we spoke, you were just hot off
doing a pictorial.
TB:
That's right. I really enjoyed doing Playboy.com. I had
so many fans email me and come to me about that pictorial, but I
really don't have any plans to go forward with that.
Too
bad!
The
fans' next chance to see Diversity5 perform LIVE in person will be
on Saturday, June 14th at the SPLASHDOWN 2001 event in Somerset, New Jersey.
This is one of the biggest independent pro wrestling cards of the
year and will feature, amongst other stars: Jerry Lawler, The Kat
Stacy Carter, Road Dogg, Brian Christopher, Disco Inferno, Shane
Helms, Kevin Sullivan, Crowbar, Daffney, Hacksaw Jim Duggan Gorgeous
George, Tammy Stych....and a special appearance and speech by Bret
"Hitman" Hart. Tickets can be ordered by calling 732-715-7530.
If you mention "YourMVP" when you call, we will give fans
$5 off each ticket they order!!! Diversity5 and the wrestlers
will also be having a special "after party" that ONLY fans
with tickets can attend.
Interviewed
and written by Paul E. Pratt