It was actually a day after I got released from WWE, so I was going through it.
It was an understatement.
I was like, “Whoa, this must be a sign for me.”
I’m shocked absolutely shocked and honored and grateful to be able to get this opportunity.
I’m sure they considered a lot of people.
Manny MUA:I would say the literal exact same thing other than not being released from WWE.
It’s not my vibe as much …
I was shocked because I was like, “Oh my gosh, I’m a digital creator.”
That’s what I do.
I’m a YouTuber; I’m a beauty guru.
I was like, “Are they going to know what I do?”
Turns out I was, in a way.
But it was really fun, and I was truly shocked when my manager emailed me.
I was like, “You know what?
I’m going to do it.”
CJ:By the way, everywhere we went, Manny was always recognized, always helping people.
That was interesting to see.
[He] definitely had so many fans constantly looking up to him.
That’s where I actually pulled inspiration in WWE, in my character that was from Brigitte Nielsen.
It all looped around.
What with Manny was saying too is I don’t look at myself as a celebrity.
I wanted to call my mom and be like, “I made it.”
It’s so wild.
The one with Chyna I watched too, because of wrestling.
I watched every single week; I would run home to watch it.
What was it like for you to live in close quarters with these celebrities?
“Surreal” sounds like a pretty good explanation for it.
Manny:It was wild.
It was honestly freaking wild.
If anything, I’ve never in my life had roommates.
I didn’t know what to do.
I was so confused.
I was like, “Wait, do I have to clean up after people?
I don’t like to cook.”
It was very interesting because I’ve never had roommates before.
CJ:You’re an only child too, right?
Manny:Well, I have two brothers, but we’ve never been roommates.
These weren’t just any roommates either.
Who were your roommates?
CJ:Roommates with a lot of personality and a lot of sass.
There’s no privacy in The Surreal Life
There are some pretty big personalities in this season.
What was it like navigating that, all of those egos and the bang out of people in there?
CJ:It was wild.
We have no doors.
Let me put that in perspective you have no doors.
Living with anyone randomly with no doors is like, “Whoa, this is a lot.”
Then it’s a stranger.
Then on top of it is a famous person.
Then you have cameras everywhere, mics everywhere in the bath, everywhere.
I don’t even know how to exactly describe in one word how you feel.
Maybe Manny can use a word; I don’t know.
I’m the social media person.
Are these celebrities going to even get what I do?"
I didn’t know what to think of the situation.
I’m like, “You know what?
I knew that about myself.
I’m like, “That’s something I do.
I do it well.
That’s going to be my thing.”
It didn’t matter who it was or who I was talking to.
I’ve met so many celebrities in my career.
I knew that I was able to still be myself and come off authentically as me.
CJ:Definitely play it as it you go.
you’ve got the option to’t over-strategize that.
[After] doing three seasons of “Total Divas,” it’s possible for you to’t.
That was a big part.
I had a couple full-on panic attacks on the show, so that was interesting.
I would have not always categorized myself as dealing with anxiety, and in that situation, it manifested …
I start talking a lot more [when] I get nervous.
Mental health is a big thing.
I’m taking shots; that’s how I’m coping with my anxiety.
It was really inspiring, and I’m very thankful for that.
CJ:For sure.
What was that experience like, though?
Did you get used to that over time?
Was it something you were always aware of?
Manny:It’s something you’re always constantly aware of.
You’re literally in a … You’re in a pressure cooker.
The situation we’re in, it’s literally this little pressure cooker.
You’re being recorded 24/7.
Things are going on.
There’s moments where you literally have to be late.
For me, it’d be at nighttime, I’d be laying in my bed.
Like, “What the f*** am I doing here in this crazy house?”
You have to steal these moments for yourself, truly, and then reconnect and reassess.
You’re like, “B***h, you’re sickening.
You’re fine.”
I started to feel like this is my family, slightly dysfunctional.
I ended up starting to bond with Tamar.
I’m texting Manny, like, “Why is it that I’m missing my family?”
Manny:For weeks.
CJ:Like, “I want the whole family.”
That was pretty wild to me, and it’s a very interesting social experiment.
I wish we could have a reunion so I could see everyone again.
Manny:She would.
“The Surreal Life"premieres Monday, October 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with back-to-back episodes on VH1.
This interview was edited for clarity.
