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OCTOBER 2000

SHARMELL SULLIVAN IS A LETHAL COMBINATION OF

BRAINS, BEAUTY & BRAWN AS THE WCW’S PAISLEY

Known to millions of viewers as Paisley, the manager/valet to the World Champion Wrestling’s (WCW) character Kwee-Wee, and former manager/valet for the Artist Formerly Known As Prince Iaukea, it’s hard to visualize titillating beauty Sharmell Sullivan as a book worm, class valedictorian or mathematician. But believe it or not, she is all these things and more. A lethal combination of brains, beauty and brawn, Sullivan is currently captivating a legion of fans internationally with her tantalizing theatrics inside the wrestling ring. She is seen weekly on TNT’s wrestling show “Nitro” and TBS’s “Thunder.”

A former beauty queen, (she holds the titles of Miss Black America, Miss Freshman of Morehouse College, Miss Indiana Black Expo, Miss Ohio Black Expo and Miss Fulton County) Sullivan is no stranger to competition or winning for that matter. Sullivan first began competing at the age of five, traveling the country for swim meets. An accomplished dancer and gymnast, her skills were so impressive early on that she was asked to train for the Olympic team before she was ten.

With a focus on academics however, Sullivan passed on the offer and opted to stay in school. The captain of her cheerleading and pom-pom team and a majorette, Sullivan juggled performance while remaining a steadfast bookworm. She later graduated valedictorian of her high school class and was selected as one of 50 students to travel abroad with the Extraordinary Students of America tour. A self described late bloomer however, Sullivan recalls humorously that she missed her senior prom because she didn’t have a date!

After high school, Sullivan relocated to Atlanta, GA attending the prestigious Spelman College. It is during this period that she accumulated her pageant titles while becoming a General Motors Scholar securing a degree in mathematics.

With the entertainment world calling her, Sullivan embarked upon a professional dance career after graduation, touring with Keith Sweat, Blackstreet, 112 and the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown for 3 1/2 years.

“Because of the James Brown tour, I’ve been to every continent save Antarctica. The experience has prepared me well for my busy travel schedule with WCW,” says Sullivan.

Sullivan was initiated into the world of wrestling after auditioning as a Nitro Girl for WCW. She appeared as Nitro Girl Storm in December of 1998 and has been taking the audiences by storm ever since. With her raging dance moves, brilliant smile, and keen athletic ability, it was only a matter of time before the WCW’s creative team advanced her to the role of her new character, Paisley. A pretty in pink vixen, Paisley is just beginning to evolve.

Combining the powers of her mind and body, the dancer turned valet has begun to wrestle even, and would not turn down the opportunity to wrestle full time if given the chance. “”I think with my gymnastics background, my flexibility and my intensity, I could be an awesome opponent,” declares Sullivan.

Sharmell Sullivan is calling WCW home for now, but with her background, the big screen cannot be far behind. More importantly however, is her vision for young people. Bridging education through multi-cultural diversity has always been her foremost platform. Sullivan is a shining example of being able to accomplish your dreams, whatever they may be.

“With me, it was particularly difficult because I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer. As an intelligent person, I’ve always had people tell me that entertaining was a waste of my time. However, I never let go of my dream. No one can tell you what’s going to make you happy. If you have a dream, see it through to fruition,” she advises.

Fusing mind, body and power, Sharmell Sullivan is definitely a dream come true!