Alexis: Hi, Mr Harris? It’s Lexi Rose, from HWA? Look, I’m sorry about freaking out before and storming off…I didn’t expect that question is all….do you think we can give that interview another chance? ….. Great, thank you… we can go to that same coffee shop we were at before? …. Perfect….yeah, I can be there in an hour… great, see you then.
One hour later…
Lexi is waiting at Cora’s Coffee Shoppe when Jarrell Harris arrives. He sits down at the table across from Lexi.
Alexis: Thanks so much for agreeing to see me again, Mr Harris. I’m sorry again about my earlier outburst.
He holds his hands up in an acknowledging fashion.
Reporter Harris: Miss Rose, it’s ok, I didn’t mean to cause you any upset.
Alexis: I appreciate it. I just didn’t know that it was out in the open about me. I’m not used to there always being camera crews around picking up on everything I’m saying.
Reporter Harris: Well, I was speaking with my editor and she thinks, if you’re alright with it, we’d like to do a focus piece on you and your orientation. We think it would be a really positive message for our younger readers and could empower them. What do you say?
Lexi takes a moment. Her sexuality wasn’t a big secret, her friends and family knew but she wasn’t sure she was ready for the entire world to know. Then she remembered how supportive Dean was when she came out. He encouraged her to be open and honest and she was so relieved when her parents were so comfortable and unbothered by it.
Alexis: Why not. If it helps young people out there not be afraid to be who they are then it can’t be that bad, can it?
Reporter Harris: Fantastic. So we’ll pick up where we left from before. But we’ll approach it more tactfully. So, Alexis, there has been some talk in the media and online regarding your sexual orientation, would you be ok confirming that for us?
Alexis: It’s still very strange that people don’t ask heterosexual people to confirm their orientation and to be honest I’d love to live in a world where it didn’t actually matter what people’s sexual orientation was. But you know, it’s Pride month, so what the hell. I am bisexual, Jarrell. It’s not something I planned on being so public about, especially so early in my HWA career. But it is what it is.
Reporter Harris: So you’ve never experienced any sort of discrimination or ostracism because of it?
Alexis: No, not yet anyway. My mom and dad, my sister, brother and close friends, up until now, were the only ones that knew - other than those I’ve been in relationships with.
Reporter Harris: And how long have you known for?
Alexis: If I’m being honest, I don’t know. I’m not one of those people who…
Lexi makes air quotes with her fingers.
Alexis:…always knew. But in high school I definitely noticed it wasn’t just guys I got the hots for y’know. I kissed a girl behind the bleachers at my senior prom and I came out to my brother. He was the first one person I’d ever told.
Reporter Harris: And is that something you’d encourage other young people to do? Come out?
Alexis: That’s a bit of a loaded question. Everyone’s journey is different, their circumstances, their situation. If there’s anything I’d encourage anyone who’s wrestling with who they are to follow their instincts. Be true to themselves and don’t be ashamed and don’t hide, because every time someone accepts who they are, the world is automatically a brighter place for it.
Reporter Harris: That’s very well-put. Now, there are plenty of LGTBQ+ competitors in the world of sport but not many in professional wrestling. Antony Bowen and Keira Hogan in AEW are open about their sexual identity. I actually think you’re the first woman in HWA to be out. Does that give you a sense of pride?
Alexis: You know what? It does. The women’s roster in years past was known for their women who knew what they wanted; both sexually and competitively and that’s not a sleight or a criticism. Women like Wisdom, like Callisto, ICE, Blush, all very strong, independent, straight women who were and are involved in strong and powerful men. So, as a strong women myself in a very small women’s roster, at the moment anyway, I do feel a sense of pride. Michelle and Sarah are both strong in their own ways as well and with me being me, I guess we all bring something different to the table.
Reporter Harris: You mentioned Sarah there. We had the opportunity to speak to her beforehand. She had some words for you in terms of how you got off on the wrong foot. Seems she may be a little hesitant regarding your recent change of heart.
Lexi rolls hers with a smile.
Alexis: Look, I didn’t have any change of heart. It was a realisation. As I’ve said before, I’m a very independent woman and I was trained in a certain way, don’t take any crap from anyone, don’t let anyone walk over and always aim for the top. When I came into HWA, everyone, well I say everyone, the core of the roster, those who have been here since things went sideways all those years ago, your Seans, Matts, Jeremys, Sarahs and Michelles, they all have this camaraderie together. Whilst I had that in football, that was a team sport. Wrestling is different and I know there’s tag teams and there’s stables and what have you, but I’d never seen such a close-knit group in an industry like this. It struck me as odd and I didn’t really buy into the mindset. But then everything kicked off in Chicago last week. I seen how these so-called veterans were behaving with my own eyes. Those pigs Fallen and Legion throwing around those horrible, sexist comments, Maniac acting like well…Maniac! These guys are meant to be the ones setting the standard, showing these younger ones exactly what being a superstar is. And so far, they’ve left a pretty bad impression on me. So it made me realise that I don’t have to be best friends with the likes of Michelle and Sarah but I can respect them, help them, have their backs. So whilst her hesitance in trusting me is understandable, in Omaha she has nothing worry about except what goes on in the ring for our match.
Reporter Harris: Well, Miss Rose, I think that’s all I need, what a great insight and thanks again for being so open, our readers will be sure to love this.
Alexis: Don’t mention it, and thank you for giving me the chance to explain things.
Reporter Harris: It’s absolutely fine and we ended up getting a fantastic piece for our next issue so it all worked out.
Lexi and the reporter both stand up and shake hands before Lexi leaves the coffee shop and the scene fades to black.
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