Layla El
Layla El (born 25 June 1977) is an English retired professional wrestler, dancer, and model of Moroccan and Spanish descent, best known by the mononymous ring name Layla for her nine-year tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2006 to 2015.[1][2][3] Prior to her wrestling career, El worked as a dancer for the NBA's Miami Heat squad after emigrating from her native London to Florida.[3][4] She gained entry into WWE by winning the inaugural Diva Search competition in 2006, which propelled her to an on-screen debut at SummerSlam that August as part of the ECW dance group Extreme Exposé alongside Ashley Massaro and Brooke Tessmacher.[3] Over the next few years, she transitioned into singles competition, competing across WWE's ECW, SmackDown, and Raw brands, and adopting a heel persona noted for her agility and dance-influenced moveset.[3] El's most prominent run came in 2009 when she partnered with fellow wrestler Michelle McCool to form the tag team LayCool, a glamorous and villainous duo that dominated the women's division through feuds with competitors like Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, and Natalya.[3] The team captured the WWE Women's Championship in a controversial handicap match in May 2010, making El the first British woman to hold the title, which she defended jointly with McCool until its unification with the Divas Championship later that year.[3] In 2012, El won the WWE Divas Championship by defeating Nikki Bella at Extreme Rules, marking her as the first Diva Search winner to claim both major women's titles in WWE history; she held the belt for 140 days before losing it to Eve Torres at Night of Champions.[3][5] After LayCool disbanded in 2011, El continued in various storylines, including a brief alliance with AJ Lee, before scaling back due to injuries and personal commitments.[3] On 29 July 2015, she announced her retirement from in-ring performing via an exclusive WWE.com interview, citing exhaustion from global travel, a desire to start a family, and interest in new ventures after nearly a decade of competition.[5] Since retiring, El has occasionally appeared in WWE alumni roles and pursued modeling and entertainment opportunities. As of 2025, she continues to make appearances at wrestling events and conventions, and engages in media discussions on women's wrestling.[5][6]Background
Early life
Layla El was born on June 25, 1977, in London, England, to an English father of Spanish descent and a Moroccan mother.[2][7] She was raised in London, where she was exposed to diverse cultural influences from her mixed heritage.[2] During her childhood, El developed an early interest in performing arts, supported by her family, and attended local schools before enrolling in a performing arts college in the city.[7] At age 19 in 1996, following her college studies, she relocated to the United States—initially to Florida and later to Los Angeles—to advance her ambitions in dance, marking a pivotal shift toward professional opportunities abroad.[4][7]Personal life
Layla El announced her engagement to Richard Young, a former WWE wrestler known professionally as Ricky Ortiz, on July 28, 2015.[8] The couple married on November 27, 2015, at Christ Temple in Glendale, Arizona.[9] El's mother died in August 2008 at age 48 from breast cancer, after battling the disease three times.[7] Following her retirement, El and her husband settled in Arizona, where she has prioritized family life and maintained a low public profile.[9] The physical demands of her wrestling career, including a severe knee injury in 2011 that tore both her anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments requiring surgery, along with an undisclosed surgery in January 2015 that sidelined her from live events, played a significant role in her 2015 retirement.[7][10][11] In April 2025, during an appearance on Busted Open Radio, El reflected on the emotional difficulty of leaving wrestling, describing the retirement process as "horrible" due to her strong identity tied to the industry, though she confirmed no intention of returning to in-ring competition.[12] Post-retirement, she obtained a real estate license and transitioned into that field while focusing on personal interests and family.[11]Pre-wrestling career
Dancing career
Layla El pursued a professional dancing career following her relocation to the United States from London, where she had developed an interest in dance during her youth and attended a performing arts college.[13] El's professional opportunities expanded as a backup dancer for major artists. She collaborated on music videos and tours, appearing in live performances with artists like John Legend, P. Diddy, and Kanye West, such as West's set at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, where she demonstrated versatility in hip-hop routines. These experiences solidified her reputation for dynamic stage presence and athletic precision.[13][14] Prior to her wrestling pursuits, El also performed as a dancer for Carnival Cruise Lines, entertaining passengers with high-energy shows that blended contemporary and performance dance elements. Active primarily from the late 1990s to 2006, her dancing career provided essential groundwork in physical conditioning and entertainment, directly facilitating her success in cheerleading auditions and her eventual entry into WWE through the 2006 Diva Search, where her dance-honed athleticism stood out.[3]Cheerleading
After pursuing opportunities in dance following her relocation to the United States, Layla El auditioned and joined the Miami Heat dance team in 2004, serving for two seasons through 2006.[15] In this role, El performed energetic halftime shows, synchronized dance routines during timeouts and breaks in NBA games, and contributed to various promotional events to engage fans and enhance the team's game-day atmosphere. Her background in dance allowed her to adapt quickly to the high-energy, athletic demands of professional sports entertainment. During her time with the Heat, the dance team achieved notable success, including winning the 2006 NBA Dance Team Bracket competition and being crowned the most popular dance team in the league after defeating the Sacramento Kings Dance Team in the finals.[16] El's performances helped elevate the squad's visibility, with the group also recognized as one of the NBA's top dance ensembles for the 2005-2006 season.[1] The exposure from her Heat tenure boosted El's profile in entertainment circles, facilitating modeling gigs and drawing interest from WWE, where her dance-honed athleticism proved instrumental in her successful 2006 Diva Search audition.[3] She departed the team that year to commit fully to her emerging wrestling career.Modeling career
Layla El's modeling career emerged prominently after her 2006 victory in the WWE Diva Search, building on her prior experience as a dancer to secure features in men's lifestyle and fashion publications. In December 2006, she appeared as the cover girl for the premiere issue of Liquid magazine, a U.S.-based men's lifestyle publication that highlighted her rising profile in entertainment.[17] This marked an early high point in her print work, aligning with her WWE debut and establishing her as a sought-after model for promotional spreads. Throughout 2007, El expanded her portfolio with appearances in prominent magazines, including a feature in King magazine in April, where she posed in themed photoshoots emphasizing her glamorous persona.[18] Later that year, in October, she served as the cover star for Smooth magazine's issue #33, the "Muy Caliente" edition, which showcased her in swimwear and fitness-oriented layouts targeted at urban audiences.[19] These opportunities capitalized on her multicultural background and WWE visibility, positioning her in campaigns that blended fashion with entertainment appeal. During her active WWE years from 2007 to 2014, El integrated modeling into her professional role, participating in photoshoots for WWE merchandise and promotional materials that reinforced her image as a stylish diva distinct from her in-ring athleticism. Her work extended to broader recognition in 2012, when she ranked 95th on Maxim's annual Hot 100 list of the world's most attractive women, underscoring the peak of her modeling influence amid her wrestling fame.[20] Activity tapered after her 2015 retirement, shifting to sporadic personal projects rather than formal campaigns.Professional wrestling career
WWE Diva Search and debut (2006–2007)
Layla El, then 29 years old, entered the 2006 WWE Diva Search competition, a contest designed to identify new female talent for the company through fan voting and on-screen challenges.[3] She advanced through various rounds, including an obstacle course and a talent showcase where her professional dancing background gave her an edge, ultimately winning the competition on August 16, 2006, at a special event in New York City.[21] The victory earned her a $250,000 prize and a multi-year developmental contract with WWE, marking her official entry into professional wrestling.[21] Following her win, El made her first on-screen appearance at SummerSlam on August 20, 2006, in a backstage segment where established Divas, including Victoria and Torrie Wilson, playfully hazed the newcomer by dousing her with water in a shower.[3] Assigned to the SmackDown brand, she debuted on television the following week on the August 25 episode, where host The Miz interviewed her about her Diva Search success and teased her upcoming in-ring opportunities.[22] Early roles positioned her as enhancement talent in non-competitive segments, such as bikini contests and Divas-focused vignettes that highlighted her sassy personality and dance moves, helping to establish her as a flirtatious, confident performer.[23] El's in-ring debut occurred on the December 1, 2006, episode of SmackDown, where she competed in a singles match against Kristal Marshall, losing via pinfall after a competitive exchange.[24] Throughout late 2006 and early 2007, she participated in additional matches and multi-Diva brawls on SmackDown, often portraying a heel character involved in brief rivalries with other competitors, while continuing to refine her wrestling skills on the main roster without formal developmental assignment.[25] In January 2007, WWE reassigned her to the ECW brand, where her dance expertise would lead to new opportunities in performance segments.Extreme Exposé and valet roles (2007–2009)
In early 2007, Layla transitioned to the ECW brand, where she joined forces with Kelly Kelly and Brooke Adams to form the Extreme Exposé dance troupe. The group debuted with weekly seductive dance routines on ECW programming, designed to captivate audiences and highlight the performers' dance and modeling expertise while boosting interest in the women's division.[4][26] These segments, often set to contemporary music like Nelly Furtado's "Maneater," featured the trio in coordinated, revealing outfits and served as a non-competitive entry point for Layla, whom WWE officials kept off developmental assignments to prioritize her television exposure.[22][26] As the group's popularity grew through consistent appearances starting in May 2007, internal dynamics shifted toward rivalry, with Layla adopting a heel persona and feuding with Kelly Kelly. This led to in-ring confrontations, including Layla's victory over Kelly in a singles match on November 6, 2007. By late 2007, creative decisions reduced the dance-focused segments in favor of competitive bouts, marking the troupe's effective dissolution; the group formally ended on November 1, 2007, following Adams' release from WWE. During this transition, Layla competed in tag team matches on ECW, such as a loss with Victoria to Kelly Kelly and Michelle McCool on February 5, 2008, providing her initial opportunities to showcase wrestling ability beyond entertainment.[4][22][27] In late 2008, after the June 30 WWE Draft relocated her to Raw, Layla took on a valet role managing William Regal during his tenure as King of the Ring and Intercontinental Champion. Embracing a villainous character with a exaggerated British accent to align with Regal's heritage, she frequently interfered in his matches to aid his defenses and advance heel storylines. Layla later reflected on the pairing as a pivotal learning experience, crediting Regal's mentorship for enhancing her in-ring psychology and performance.[28][29][26] A highlight of this alliance came at WrestleMania 25 on April 5, 2009, where Layla accompanied Regal to ringside for his Intercontinental Championship defense against CM Punk, which he lost via submission. The partnership concluded shortly thereafter when Regal was suspended in April 2009 for violating WWE's Wellness Policy, prompting Layla's subsequent draft to SmackDown and the end of their on-screen collaboration.[22][29][28] Parallel to her televised roles from 2007 to 2009, Layla built foundational wrestling skills through untelevised house shows and dark matches across ECW and Raw, including bouts like a tag team loss with Melina to Mickie James and Kelly Kelly on November 12, 2007. These appearances allowed her to refine techniques and adapt to live crowds, laying groundwork for future in-ring pursuits.[23][22]LayCool tag team (2009–2011)
In 2009, Layla was drafted to the SmackDown brand and began teaming with Michelle McCool, forming the tag team known as LayCool.[30] The duo adopted an arrogant heel gimmick, portraying themselves as superior to other Divas through condescending insults and bullying tactics, such as mocking their appearances and cutting up Mickie James' ring gear during a backstage attack in November 2009.[31][30] This vicious persona positioned LayCool as gleefully evil antagonists in the women's division, often interfering in matches to assert dominance.[32] LayCool achieved significant success as a unit, most notably at Night of Champions in September 2010, where McCool, with assistance from Layla, defeated Melina in a Lumberjill match to unify the WWE Women's Championship and WWE Divas Championship into the inaugural WWE Unified Divas Championship.[33] The team then defended the title as co-champions under a "Freebird Rule" allowance, maintaining their status atop the division for over a year.[34] Key victories included Layla retaining the championship against Natalya at Bragging Rights in October 2010, aided by McCool's interference.[35] The partnership fueled prominent rivalries, beginning with an intense feud against Mickie James in late 2009, where LayCool tormented her both in promos and physically, culminating in multiple attacks that highlighted their mean-girl dynamic.[31] This extended into 2010 with confrontations involving Beth Phoenix, including a handicap match where Phoenix challenged both members for the Women's Championship.[31] Later that year, LayCool clashed with Natalya and Phoenix in a high-stakes Tables match at TLC, where the challengers emerged victorious after putting both LayCool members through tables.[36] These feuds showcased LayCool's reliance on teamwork and interference to overcome stronger opponents.[37] Within the team, Layla often served as the physical enforcer, delivering stiff kicks and stomps from behind while McCool executed high-impact strikes, incorporating her dance background into agile, layout-style maneuvers like the Layout (a spinning heel kick).[32] However, internal tensions arose as the partnership wore on, exacerbated by McCool suffering a foot injury in early 2011, including a broken toe and torn ligaments sustained during a scripted beating by Layla.[38] The duo's alliance dissolved in 2011 when their feud turned personal following McCool's injury, leading to a Loser Leaves WWE match at Extreme Rules in May, where Layla emerged victorious, ending McCool's full-time WWE career and transitioning Layla toward solo opportunities.[39]Divas Championship and feuds (2012–2015)
Following her successful return from injury, Layla replaced the injured Beth Phoenix in a scheduled WWE Divas Championship match against Nikki Bella at Extreme Rules on April 29, 2012, and defeated Bella by pinfall to capture the title in 2:45.[40] Layla portrayed a confident face character during her reign, which lasted 140 days and included key defenses that highlighted her improved in-ring capabilities.[41] Layla's first major title defense came against Beth Phoenix at Over the Limit on May 20, 2012, where she retained via pinfall after countering Phoenix's Glam Slam into a Layout, solidifying her status as champion despite Phoenix's power-based offense.[42] She also engaged in a rivalry with Natalya throughout the summer, defending the title in non-televised matches and competing against her on episodes of SmackDown, such as on May 4, 2012, where Layla won by pinfall following a series of technical exchanges. These encounters emphasized Layla's resilience post-injury, though her reign faced internal tension as she formed an alliance with rising star Kaitlyn, teaming together against groups like The Bella Twins and Eve Torres in six-Diva tag matches at events including Money in the Bank on July 15, 2012. The alliance with Kaitlyn soured leading into Night of Champions on September 16, 2012, but it was Eve Torres who capitalized on the division's chaos, defeating Layla for the Divas Championship in a surprise upset via pinfall after interference from acting General Manager Vickie Guerrero.[43] Post-title loss, Layla transitioned into mid-card feuds while occasionally allying with Kaitlyn against Eve, including a Triple Threat match at Hell in a Cell on October 28, 2012, where Eve retained amid ongoing betrayal storylines involving AJ Lee.[44] By early 2013, Layla turned heel, betraying Kaitlyn during a Divas Championship defense against AJ Lee on the August 2 episode of SmackDown by shielding AJ from attack, sparking a personal rivalry rooted in jealousy over Kaitlyn's title success.[7] Layla's heel run continued into 2014 with sporadic participation in multi-Diva matches, such as the Vickie Guerrero Invitational battle royal for a title shot on the April 7 episode of Raw, where she was eliminated mid-way by competitors including AJ Lee.[45] A notable feud developed with Summer Rae, tied to their shared association with Fandango; tensions escalated when Rae doused Layla with milk on the June 9, 2014, episode of Raw, prompting Layla's retaliatory attack using cat litter and milk on the June 10, 2014, episode of Main Event, leading to a singles match at Money in the Bank on June 29, 2014, refereed by Fandango, which Layla won by pinfall after Rae's distraction backfired.[46][47] This rivalry showcased Layla's veteran aggression but marked her shift toward occasional face alignments amid declining bookings. Injuries began impacting Layla's role by late 2014, reducing her to part-time appearances in 2015 as she adopted a mentorship capacity, offering guidance to younger Divas like the Funkadactyls in backstage segments on SmackDown while competing minimally in tag matches and battle royals.[48] Her final in-ring storylines emphasized legacy-building feuds, such as brief confrontations with Alicia Fox, before transitioning out of active competition, reflecting the WWE Divas division's evolving dynamics.[49]Retirement and aftermath (2015–present)
On July 29, 2015, Layla El announced her retirement from WWE in an exclusive interview with WWE.com, reflecting on her nine years with the company and citing accumulated injuries from her career as key factors in her decision.[5] She expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided, including her time as a dancer, valet, tag team competitor, and champion, while emphasizing the physical toll that had made continuing unsustainable.[50] Her final televised match occurred on the June 13, 2015, episode of WWE Superstars, where she was defeated by Paige in a singles bout, marking the end of her in-ring performances on WWE programming.[22] Although she made a brief return to competition earlier that year following a period of recovery, this loss served as her last appearance on television before stepping away.[51] Post-announcement, WWE honored her contributions through tribute content, including photo galleries and highlights shared on their platforms, though she did not participate in a formal on-screen farewell segment.[52] Since retiring, El has not returned to full-time professional wrestling, instead prioritizing recovery from her injury history and avoiding new wrestling contracts.[23] She has made occasional guest appearances at fan events, such as autograph signings at conventions like WrestleCon in 2025, where she engages with supporters but does not compete.[53] In interviews, she has focused on the challenges of leaving the industry, describing the emotional difficulty of the transition during a 2025 appearance on Busted Open Radio, where she noted how deeply wrestling had shaped her identity.[12] El's legacy from the Divas era has been acknowledged in WWE Hall of Fame contexts, including a shoutout from her former tag team partner Michelle McCool during McCool's 2025 induction speech, highlighting their shared impact as pioneers in women's tag team wrestling.[54] She has contributed to discussions of that period through a planned podcast series announced in 2025, aimed at sharing untold stories and celebrating the era's contributions to women's wrestling evolution.[55] This shift has allowed her to explore non-wrestling pursuits while maintaining a connection to her professional roots through selective public engagements.[56]Media and entertainment
Other media appearances
Layla El appeared on the E! reality television series Total Divas in seasons 1 through 3 from 2013 to 2015, offering viewers insights into her personal relationships, fitness routines, and behind-the-scenes dynamics within WWE.[3][1] She appeared as a guest judge on the September 21, 2013, episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars titled "WWE Summerslam," evaluating contestants' creations alongside fellow WWE Diva Alicia Fox, with the winner earning a feature at WWE's SummerSlam event.[57][58] In February 2008, El made a guest appearance on season 4, episode 10 of Bravo's Project Runway ("Raw Talent"), modeling as a WWE Diva for a design challenge where contestants created ring attire inspired by wrestlers' personas.[59][60] El featured prominently in the 2007 music video for Timbaland's single "Throw It On Me" featuring The Hives, performing dance sequences with other WWE Divas including Ashley Massaro, Kelly Kelly, Torrie Wilson, Brooke Tessmacher, and Maryse, which premiered on WWE Raw.[61][62] As part of her WWE promotional efforts, El appeared as a playable character in six official video games produced by THQ and 2K Sports, debuting in SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 and including titles such as WWE '13, WWE 2K14, and WWE 2K16.[28] Following her 2015 retirement, El has engaged in selective media spots, including a 2025 appearance on SiriusXM's Busted Open Radio where she discussed Michelle McCool's WWE Hall of Fame induction, the evolution of women's wrestling, and the role of WWE NXT in talent development. In April 2025, she launched the podcast LayTalk, interviewing other former WWE Divas about their careers. She also featured in an October 2025 YouTube interview reflecting on her WWE experiences, including her partnership with McCool.[63][64][65][66] On social media, El maintains an influential presence focused on fitness and lifestyle motivation, posting workout tips and personal updates on Instagram (with over 435,000 followers as of November 2025) and X (formerly Twitter), such as her consistent gym routines emphasizing strength and mental clarity.[6][67] El's media footprint was most extensive during her active WWE years through reality programming and cross-promotions, evolving post-retirement into targeted radio interviews, podcasts, fan event appearances like WrestleCade 2025, and digital content that highlights her dance and wellness background.[68]Filmography
Layla El's filmography primarily consists of roles in WWE-produced television programming, where she portrayed her professional wrestling character, Layla. These appearances highlight her transition from dancing and modeling into on-screen entertainment within the wrestling industry. Her acting output is modest, with credits spanning from 2009 to 2012, and no major film or television projects confirmed after her 2015 retirement as of November 2025.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | WWE Superstars | Layla | TV Series |
| 2010 | WrestleMania XXVI | Layla | TV Special |
| 2010 | WWE NXT | Layla | TV Series |
| 2012 | WWE Saturday Morning Slam | Layla | TV Series |