CJ "Lana" Perry
Catherine Joy Perry, an actress and producer, known for her appearance in Pitch Perfect 1&2, Benny Future and the Madman from Manchester (2008), and WWE Smackdown! Perry recently starred in a new film opposite Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo, Cosmic Sin, which is available to rent via Google Play, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime. The film, directed by Edward Drake, is a sci-fi action feature that takes place in 2524, four hundred years post-human colonization of the outer planets.
Dress by Diana Mputri
Shoes by Ego Official
Where were you born? Tell us about your heritage? How do you represent yourself through your roots?
I was born in Florida but grew up in the former Soviet Union. At 10 years old, I started training 40 hours a week at the strictest ballet academy in Russia. It prepared me for Hollywood and the world of wrestling. Wrestling is a competitive business just like ballet, and I’ve always been aware enough to know that there are women who are more naturally gifted than I am. But the challenges never held back the desire. It taught me that the real lift begins when you figure out that people appreciate technical skill but enthralled by real emotion.
Did you pursue anything else before you made your first acting debut?
I was a professional ballerina who would sleep in splits to get more flexible.
What was it like working alongside such prestigious actors such as Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo?
I was so excited that I had to stop myself from going up to Bruce and saying, “I see dead people.”
Left:
Dress by Diana Couture
Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell
Right:
Bodysuit by Aunt Funkys Closet
Cape by The Archives & Showroom Private Collection
Shoes by Bottega Veneta
What were some things you learned throughout the production process of Cosmic Sin? Did you enjoy portraying your character?
I learned that I am extremely grateful for all the times in WWE that I got 10 pages of dialogue for a promo that I would be performing on LIVE TV within 15 minutes. That’s the skill set that helped me on Cosmic Sin. We had only one take for every shot in the movie and the movie was being rewritten as we shot it. I loved my character Sol, who is the best sniper in the galaxy. She is extremely loyal, a solider, a fighter, and she isn’t scared of anyone or anything. The role was originally written for a man, so it was extremely cool to show that women can be bad-asses and snipers in the galaxy.
Do you think everyone will be like the way the world is displayed in the movie in 2524? If not, how would you like the future of humankind to look like?
I would love to see the future of humankind that continues to challenge people and that continues the medical and technological breakthroughs. But with more dancing. I think people would just be little happier if they got down every now again. And I’d like a flying skateboard like Marty McFly.
Of all the productions you’ve been in, which has been the most prominent experience for you, and why?
Without a doubt it’s been Monday Night Raw. The rush of being LIVE every week in the homes of millions around the world is a job like no other. Some weeks I’m the focus, and others I’m not, so it teaches you how to be both the lead and the supporting character. I have travelled the world with Raw and I’ve been put through tables, married a few people, found a girlfriend, drove a tank, wore denim, spoke Russian, danced in neon, and punched hundreds of faces and met my real-life husband. Not bad for a TV show.
Left:
Full look by Diana Couture
Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell
Right:
Dress by USAMA ISHTAY
Shoes by Public Desire
Tell us about being a WWE Superstar? What has been your favorite part about the experience?
The range. The challenge of telling a story with your body in the ring. How do you get the grandmother watching in Nashville and the teenager sitting LIVE in the nosebleeds to feel the same emotion? I also love the catering. But my costumes hate that I love the catering.
On your IMDb page, it states your nickname is “The Ravishing Russian.” Tell us why that is? Who gave you that nickname?
The Ravishing Russian is my wrestling moniker, and it was given to me because well, eh, my business isn’t known for its subtly. I grew up in Russia, so that’s the first bit, but on our show, I’ve been married more times than a Real Housewife—so that might explain the ravishing part a little. It’s not so much that I am ravishing, but more that I like to ravish.
If you were to spread any message to your followers and the world, what would you want to say?
My message to the world would be: the past is gone, and the future doesn’t yet exist, so how can we make *this moment* worth something?
Can you link us to your social media?
Instagram: @thelanawwe, TikTok: @thelanawwe3, Twitter: @LanaWWE, Facebook: @WWELana
CREW CREDITS:
Creative Director + Photographer: Mike Ruiz
Talent: CJ “Lana” Perry
Fashion Stylist: Brandon Nicholas
Hair: Nicole Warmack
Makeup: Alexis Oakley
Tearsheets: Daniel López, Graphic Design, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview: Kenisha Seth, Contributor, Photobook Magazine
