Paisley
Stating that once upon a time she was a 'nerdy child', Paisley (Sharmell
Sullivan) had an active and athletic childhood while growing up in Gary
Indiana. Besides being a competitive swimmer in the AAU at an early age,
she became a seriously devoted gymnastics student. Sharmell even
received an offer to train with the Olympic Gymnastics team, but her
mother decided that she did not want to pull her child out of school.
A self-proclaimed 'shy' high school student, Sharmell applied herself to
the books while cultivating both her athletic and entertainment interests.
Not only was she the class valedictorian, but she was also a captain of the
cheerleading team, a pom pom girl, and a majorette, before entering
college in Atlanta.
During her senior year as a mathematics major, Sharmell won the Miss
Black America contest, which she found fulfilling. Seriously considering a
return to college for a 2nd degree - in biomedical engineering - the
extrovert part of her took over, and she began a career in professional
dance. Touring
with several
hip-hop artists
and R&B bands
she eventually
went on the road
with James Brown for 3-1/2 years. Overhearing a
conversation about the Nitro Girls on the tour bus that
interested her, she watched a Nitro show and knew what she
wanted to do.
Ironically a close friend of hers had just joined the Nitro
Girls (Tygress), and 3 short months later she called to inform
Sharmell that they were auditioning for new dancers. In
December of 1998 she appeared as the Nitro Girl Storm.
Although she thoroughly enjoyed life as a Nitro Girl, Sharmell
jumped at the WCW creative teams offer to become the
Artist's valet. Now that she has experienced some fisticuffs
in the ring, she feels that with her natural athletic abilities
she could become an 'awesome wrestler'.
I'm glad she got the chance, but, I'm sure I'm not the only
person who feels that 'The Artist Formerly Know As Prince
Iaukea' and 'The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist' has to
be one of the lamest storylines in professional wrestling.
Let's hope that the creative control team can come up with
something more entertaining for a person who obviously excels
at whatever she sets her mind to.