Women on the prowl
WAGS LA stars Barbie and Sasha popped into Mzansi ahead of season 3’s premiere.
Wives and girlfriends (or WAGS) of pro sportsmen are generalised “and it isn’t fair,” says Sasha Gates. She is one of the stars of reality show WAGS LA (2015- current). “We are businesswomen in our own right.” And that’s definitely true when it comes to her fellow WAG Barbie Blank (her full name is Barbara). WWE fans (see more on p39) need no introduction to her – she went by the ringname Kelly Kelly when she was signed to the sports entertainment brand from 2006 to 2012. Sasha and Barbie made the 21-hour flight from their cushy Los Angeles lives as part of their press tour and while Barbie is used to it – “Because I came here with the WWE before” – Sasha was surprised. “I really didn’t think that it would be that long a flight. We made it and we’re excited to be here – I can’t wait to go out and hopefully see some lions and monkeys at a game park!”
GIRLS TRIP
To be an official WAG, you need a sportsman significant other. For Sasha, that’s NFL star Antonio Gates, while Barbie has been married to retired NHL ice hockey star Sheldon Souray since 2016. “We love our guys,” says Sasha who has been Mrs Gates since 2011. “They’re on the road a lot for their careers, now it’s our turn. [Laughs]”
And as the two reality stars explain, there is a lot more going for them than just their good looks. “I’ve done some acting,” says Sasha, “including a new movie that’s coming out soon. I also sing and I’ve released a few singles.” As for Barbie, she’s mostly retired from inring action and has branched off into the world of fitness. “Being with my old company, you had to be in shape and in ‘fighting form’. That’s a lifestyle and now it’s part of my business,” she adds.
REAL-LIFE DRAMA
With many reality series being exposed for having scripted storylines, the pair are quick to play it down on WAGS LA. “This is real. Like really real,” laughs Sasha. “This is our lives and the cameras capture it all. There are no scripts here – this is us!” Don’t expect kisses, love and hugs all over the place. “There are a few confrontations,” says Barbie. And she isn’t joking – episode 1 starts off with Sasha and Autumn continuing their season 2 feud.
Barbie’s “confrontation” this season is a little more light-hearted. In one of the episodes (the order hadn’t been finalised at print), she climbs in the wrestling ring with former professional mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz, who is dating WAG Amber. “Tito wants to be a WWE wrestler, so I showed him a few moves and I think the audiences will be surprised and entertained by what happens,” laughs Barbie.