Charlotte Flair: The Queen’s Reign, Role Models, Asuka, and Ronda Rousey
With WrestleMania on the horizon, Charlotte Flair, WWE’s “The Queen,” is laser-focused on maintaining her SmackDown Women’s Championship. Before she can think about the grandest stage of them all, she must overcome the challenge posed by Ruby Riott and the Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan) at WWE Fastlane. In this exclusive interview, Charlotte discusses her WrestleMania aspirations, her connection with Stephanie McMahon, advice for Ronda Rousey, and the qualities she admires in her legendary father, Ric Flair.
Facing Ruby Riott and the Road to WrestleMania
HollywoodLife.com: Fastlane is approaching, yet WrestleMania is dominating the conversation. How do you avoid overlooking Ruby Riott and prevent her from stealing a victory?
Charlotte Flair: Overlooking Ruby isn’t an option. Every SmackDown Live! presents the threat of Carmella and her Money In The Bank briefcase. My focus is on moving forward and exiting Fastlane as strong as possible, ready for WrestleMania.
The Potential Showdown with Asuka
HollywoodLife.com: There’s a chance Asuka might choose to face you at WrestleMania. What are your thoughts on this potential matchup, and do you believe you can end her undefeated streak?
Charlotte Flair: Streaks are made to be broken, and Asuka and I have never faced each other. If she chooses me, “The Empress” versus “The Queen” becomes a true WrestleMania moment. I want to break that streak. I want to be the woman who can proudly say, “I beat Asuka!”
The Ideal Match Type for a Flair vs. Asuka Dream Match
HollywoodLife.com: Would you prefer a straight-up match or one with a gimmick attached?
Charlotte: I’ve considered that. A “Falls Count Anywhere” or an “Iron Woman” match could be exciting. However, I think a regular match would be even more special. Nobody has seen us in the ring together, and our backgrounds and styles are so different. It doesn’t need any added enhancements or a special name. Just seeing us compete on the biggest stage is thrilling enough.
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Role Models and Inspiration
HollywoodLife.com: March is Women’s History Month. Who is a female role model for you, and why?
Charlotte: For me, it’s a two-part answer. Growing up, I didn’t have one specific famous person or athlete I looked up to. I was very close to my coaches – my gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading coaches. I relied on them heavily.
Now, my role models are the women I work with. There was a time when I thought I would never become a WWE Superstar. But when I started in 2012, I met all these incredible women from around the world who possessed such immense passion. This was their lifelong dream. Seeing their dedication to succeeding in WWE truly inspired me.
Whether it’s my best friend Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Natalya, or the Bellas, I’ve looked up to them and learned from their careers, their work ethics, and their aspirations for women in the industry. Stephanie McMahon is another inspiration because I can relate to her, feeling the pressure of having a famous father and being part of the family business. She exudes confidence and strength simultaneously.
When I think about what #internationalwomensday means to me. I think about the passionate, carrying, talented, genuine and loving women I have in my life. Growing up I didn’t have an athlete, actress or famous person that I looked up to. I looked up to certain friends, coaches, teammates, co-workers and my family. I have tried to surround myself with women who I look up to and most importantly l respect. Women are strong as hell when we figure that out! It took me longer then most but I am blessed and thankful to celebrate the women who have come into my life and make me want to be a better person. Here’s to Strong Women. MAY WE KNOW THEM. May we be them and may we raise them!
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Lessons Learned: The Flair Legacy
HollywoodLife.com: Having learned so much from your father, and vice versa, what do you two still teach each other today?
Charlotte: What I admire most about my dad is that he knows who he is and never doubts himself. He is simply Ric Flair. It’s hard to explain, but if you watch his 30 For 30 documentary, he doesn’t apologize for knowing he’s the best. He wakes up every morning and lives life to the fullest. I appreciate that.
He’s so honest and unafraid to tell me how he succeeded in certain areas. I hope to reach a point in my life where I don’t second-guess myself. That’s what I learn from him every day.
Looking Ahead: Charlotte’s Goals for 2018
HollywoodLife.com: Once WrestleMania concludes and the WWE landscape resets, what do you hope to achieve for the rest of 2018, especially if you remain the SmackDown Women’s Champion?
Charlotte: It’s amazing to reflect on each year. At WrestleMania 32, I won the first WWE Women’s Championship. The following year, I main evented the first Hell in a Cell match, and then I main evented Raw and SmackDown Live! Going into this WrestleMania, I can’t predict the future.
My goal is to continue working as hard as I did yesterday and every day after. Hopefully, I’ll reach a point where I’m main eventing multiple pay-per-views, becoming a major attraction, and further developing my character.
Charlotte’s Dream YouTube/WWE Network Show
HollywoodLife.com: If you were to launch your own show on YouTube (like Xavier Woods’ UpUpDownDown) or the WWE Network, what would it be about?
Charlotte: It would probably involve traveling to different breakfast spots during our weekend routes. I love waking up in a new city, finding a local gem, and then locating a gym nearby. The show could feature conversations with the waiters and waitresses about their favorite dishes, and then showcase the gym I find. So, definitely something like that!
Indulging on the Road: Guilty Pleasures
HollywoodLife.com: What’s one guilty pleasure you indulge in while on the road?
Charlotte: [Laughs] Ooooooh! I love smoothies! I love my post-workout smoothies. Whether it’s peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, or kiwis, I love protein and adding Greek yogurt. I could probably drink three smoothies a day, but my nutritionist would probably kill me.
If Charlotte Could Be Another WWE Superstar…
HollywoodLife.com: If you had the chance to live as another WWE Superstar from the past or present – male or female – for one day, who would it be and why?
Charlotte: Oh man! If I had to live as them? Let me think. That’s a good question! Ohhhh, who would I want that to be? I’ll go with Brock Lesnar because he’s a beast! [laughs]
#tbt beasts
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Advice for Ronda Rousey in WWE
HollywoodLife.com: Ronda Rousey is now in WWE. What advice would you give her to succeed?
Charlotte: The easiest thing she’ll ever do in WWE is sign that contract. She needs to respect the industry and understand that respect and hard work are paramount. She has to earn it.
Charlotte’s Favorite Film of the Year
HollywoodLife.com: Favorite film of the year?
Charlotte: I’d have to say Wonder Woman. It’s been the year of women, and Wonder Woman had no negative publicity. It was exceptionally well done, and they chose Gal Gadot perfectly. They couldn’t have picked a better actress to represent Wonder Woman because she embodies natural beauty both on and off-screen.
If you follow her on social media and see her community involvement, she’s classic and timeless. If I were a mother today, I would want my daughter to emulate someone like her.
Embracing Authenticity: Acting as Herself
HollywoodLife.com: Will you be acting more as yourself going forward?
Charlotte: I hope so! For the past few years, my primary focus has been improving in the ring. I feel like I’ve reached a point where I’m confident enough in my abilities to continue improving while also taking chances outside the ring.
It’s a growing process because I never imagined I’d be on a show like Psych. When that opportunity arose, I realized, “Wow, maybe I can do this!” Having that experience makes me want to try again, perhaps after WrestleMania or whenever the opportunity presents itself. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot more lately.
The Responsibility of Being a Role Model
HollywoodLife.com: You are a role model and mean so much to so many people. Do you feel a responsibility to be a role model?
Charlotte: I believe being a WWE Superstar inherently comes with the responsibility of being a role model. I co-wrote a biography with my dad called Second Nature, which was released in September. I discussed the obstacles I had to overcome to reach where I am today and how, in my personal life, I needed a hero. So, when I joined WWE, I created the character I wanted to be – someone’s hero.
Now, I have the platform to be a hero for men, women, boys, and girls. It means a lot to me. Having the platform and the opportunity to help kids is the most important thing to me, to convey the positive message of “just go for it,” and that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that your past doesn’t define you. I hope I can continue to do that more and more as I grow.
Don’t miss Charlotte Flair as she defends her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott at WWE’s Fastlane. Watch all the action on the WWE Network, starting on March 11 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.