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IMPACT Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw was inspired to come out as transgender after powerful interaction with fan-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The Quintessential Diva opens up!
Gisele Shaw has reflected on her journey (Picture: IMPACT Wrestling)
IMPACT Wrestling star Gisele Shaw admits she decided to come out publicly as transgender after an emotional chance meeting with a fan.
The 33-year-old wrestler – who transitioned in her early 20s and opened up on her journey during Toronto Pride in June – has reflected on how the decision to disclose has had a profound influence on her own life.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, she laughed: ‘You know what? I was not expecting to disclose at all. I was like, I’ve always had the mentality of, my gender doesn’t have anything to do with wrestling.
‘If you’re going to judge me, you’re judging me because of my wrestling and not because of who I am personally. It has nothing to do with it.’
However, an interaction with a fan back in April over WrestleMania week in Dallas, Texas changed her outlook during mental health charity event DressleMania.
‘During that event we shared personal stories. Growing up, it wasn’t the easiest for me – the adversities that I had to take on. After the event there was a fan that came up to me who happened to be a trans woman,’ she recalled.
DressleMania proved to be inspirational for Gisele (Picture: DressleMania)
‘She wanted to share her story, and she told me, that, “Hey I could relate to your story”. “Hey, what?!” I just panicked, and I didn’t wanna deal with it. I was just not ready.’
Gisele admitted she ‘felt so crappy’ for not fully opening up about herself to fans, and realised she should be ‘celebrating’ who she really is.
‘Growing up, I looked up to these incredible women, the Knockouts, the Divas, who inspired me to be the person that I am today. I had that opportunity, yet I didn’t really do what I’m supposed to do,’ she explained.
‘Why is it that I’m hiding? Why is that I’m not celebrating this? I’m not celebrating who I am, why am I not being my truth self? There’s nothing wrong with me!’
She then approached her bosses at IMPACT Wrestling – including president Scott D’Amore – and asked for their help with disclosing, which led to the Canadian star making her announcement at Toronto Pride.
Gisele has seen a shift in her own outlook professionally too, as she finds herself more confident in the ring without any of the worries she previously had.
‘Because I just didn’t wanna deal with it, I felt that my mental health was just not the best. I would go to a restaurant or go wherever – or even perform in the ring – and there’s always this constant voice in the back of my head,’ she said.
‘It’s always concerned, “What are people thinking ? Do people know? What are they talking about? Are they talking about me?” I could not really fully just live life properly.’
The Quintessential Diva has become more confident as a performer (Picture: IMPACT Wrestling)
Now, there has been a ‘weight lift off’ her shoulder, and she can focus on the job at hand.
Professionally, it’s also been a fantastic year for Gisele, who finally put pen to paper on a deal with IMPACT after turning down a previous offer so she could focus on developing as a performer on the UK scene with companies like PROGRESS and Rev Pro.
‘It was such a hard decision to say no but I really just feel like it just was not the right time. I felt like I just had to finish what I was doing and for me to just feel fulfilled in what I was doing in the UK,’ she added. ‘It worked out well, so if there’s one thing to take away from that is to always trust your gut, because your gut will never lead you astray.’
Now, she’s where she wants to be, and she’s excited to be part of such a strong roster of people all pushing in the same direction, both in terms of making IMPACT successful and focusing on a sense of community.
‘I feel like IMPACT Wrestling is the company to be at. I know people might say I am biased but I do believe we are producing the best content right now,’ she gushed. ‘Especially , I can’t say this enough, the Knockouts division!
‘Everyone is so different, no one looks the same, everybody offers something different that everybody learns from. We are so supportive as a group, and everybody wants to succeed rather than tear each other down.’
‘We’ve cultivated this really positive environment in IMAPCT Wrestling and that’s why people want to be there, ‘ she smiled. ‘And that’s why IMPACT Wrestling – we’re on the rise.’
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