On equality:
Equality is important to me, whether it be men, women, gay, lesbian, transgender; that should not dictate whether you’re allowed to pursue your dreams or not… If I was (gay), what does that mean? People tell more about themselves (when they discriminate) than they tell about the person (they discriminate against).
If they think it should mean you’re not allowed to pursue your dreams, it shows that they’re not a good person that you want to be around; it doesn’t say anything about the person you’re talking about.
On playing a cocky character on Tough Enough:
There’s one thing in America we love more than a success story: watching someone fall from grace. We love to believe that someone who’s attractive and successful must be a dick… we want to see a flaw in them.
I found in my wrestling character that I was playing on the indys that it was much easier to play into people’s stereotypes. I grew up on a farm in Maine (he did the interview from a pontoon boat on a river), nice kid raised by great parents, taught to be generous and loving; people wanted to believe that because I gel my hair and they perceive me as attractive that I must be an arrogant, self-absorbed dick.
The reason I played a heel on the show is because that’s what I liked playing in wrestling. I wanted to already build in my wrestling persona into the reality show so that if I did win, I’d already have a set-up character that (WWE) could roll with. It was easier to get people to hate me rather than like me because of my appearance. It was a concentrated effort to get people to hate me so I could immediately have a role on TV if I won.
On Ariane/Cameron (the first person eliminated) being the only season 5 contestant being employed by WWE:
For the most part (WWE) does not want people who like wrestling. They don’t want you to be too much of a mark, too starstruck. They love it if you don’t want to be there. I almost feel like they get off on it… if you don’t want or care about wrestling.
I think it’s because they know that they can either mold you, or you’ll be a sheep. You don’t really care, it’s like “Whatever. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I just want to be on TV.”
On mixed messages being sent by Total Divas:
(Cameron/Ariane) got an OUI (operating under the influence), tried to bribe the cop, and lied on the police report about her name. (WWE) just gave her a suspension and nothing else… now she has (Total Divas) a TV show that influences millions of young women around the world. I don’t think (parents) would feel very good about that.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
