Carmella

Leah Van Dale, born on October 23, 1987, in Spencer, Massachusetts, has built a diverse career encompassing professional wrestling, dance, modeling, and entrepreneurship. Her early life included cheerleading for the New England Patriots for three seasons, concluding in 2010, and performing as a Los Angeles Laker Girl during the 2010–2011 season. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in marketing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2010. These experiences laid a foundation for her future endeavors, combining athletic discipline with performance and marketing acumen.

Van Dale signed with WWE in June 2013, adopting the ring name Carmella. Her career in WWE’s developmental brand NXT saw her align with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in October 2014, serving as their manager. Her main roster debut on SmackDown occurred in July 2016. A significant milestone was achieved in June 2017 when she became the winner of the inaugural women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, a historic achievement. She went on to successfully cash in her contract in April 2018, defeating Charlotte Flair to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship. Carmella’s tenure also saw her win the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal in 2019, obtain the WWE 24/7 Championship multiple times, and secure the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Queen Zelina in 2021. After nearly twelve years with WWE, her contract expired in February 2025.

Beyond wrestling, Carmella has expanded her professional activities. She launched her wine label, Capo Cagna, in February 2020. Alongside her husband, Matthew Polinsky (Corey Graves), she co-hosts the weekly podcast “Bare With Us,” discussing relationship topics. She has also made numerous media appearances, including as a main cast member on the E! reality series “Total Divas” for multiple seasons, and in various WWE video games. Her career illustrates a progression from in-ring achievements to diverse multimedia projects, showcasing her versatility as a public figure.