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WWE star Paige makes heartbreaking admission about leaked sex tapes that left her at 'rock bottom'
Asiya A.
WWE star Paige has opened up about the devastating impact of her leaked sex tape.
The professional wrestler, whose real name is Saraya-Jade Bevis, was at the height of her career when intimate videos and photos were published without her consent in 2017.
Speaking candidly on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story? podcast, the 33-year-old detailed how the situation spiraled during an already difficult time in her life.
She was battling substance issues, a troubled relationship, and recovering from neck surgery when the leak pushed her to what she described as her lowest point.
Paige Feared Losing Her Dad's Support
The leak, which happened when she was 19, left her terrified she might lose her father’s support.
Speaking to McMahon, she recalled reaching out to him as everything unfolded.
"I’m going to call my dad, and if my dad doesn’t accept me… I’m going to kill myself,” she shared.
Instead of rejection, she received compassion as her father said: "It’s alright princess, everyone has a sex life."
He even added that she could “be famous like Kim Kardashian".
This isn't the first time Paige has spoken about the aftermath of the leak.
In an interview with the New York Post back in 2019, following the release of Fighting With My Family, she admitted she was "publicly humiliated," adding: "I didn’t go to work; I didn’t do anything. I felt so rock bottom."
Her mindset began to change after meeting a seven-year-old fan who unknowingly helped her see things differently.
"Of course, she didn’t have the internet and thought I was the most beautiful and most successful woman in the world," Paige said. "It opened my eyes to so many things. I was like, 'I’m gonna let videos get in the way of things?'"
Paige's Return To WWE
After nearly four years away, Paige made her long-awaited return to WWE at WrestleMania 42: Night 1 on Sunday (April 19).
Due to her career-threatening neck injury, she had been unable to wrestle during the final years of her initial run.
Ahead of her comeback, WWE President Nick Khan insisted she undergo a medical evaluation and drug test.
Recalling the process, Paige said: "So [The Rock’s agent Brad Slater] calls Nick [Khan] and within 30 minutes Nick had said, ‘Sure, let’s get a meeting with her.’ So a week later he flies to LA to the WWE offices there, I went and met him for like 10 minutes.
"He goes, 'Two things: your neck needs to be ok, and we have to do a drug test.' I was like, 'Fair enough.' Hey, I can control the drug test. I’m clean as a whistle," she said. "I don’t know how my neck’s been. It’s been a few years since I got it checked. Last time I got it checked, it was perfect, so I’m not really concerned about it."
Motivated by the possibility of returning, Paige traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, for extensive testing that began early in the morning and lasted into the afternoon.
Initially fearing bad news, she was instead met with relief when the doctor asked her if she was "ready to go home".
Paige went on to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships alongside Brie Bella in a four-way match against Charlotte Flair and Alex Bliss, Lash Legend and Nia Jax, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria.
On the podcast, Paige admitted she is uncertain about how long she will continue wrestling, but is determined to enjoy every moment.
"I came in this time with the mindset where I just wanna be happy, and have fun. Because I don’t think I’m gonna be wrestling after this run. I wanna just enjoy my time that I have here, embrace absolutely everything. Just enjoy the journey. That’s all I care about," she said.
"To have this moment where I’m back in WWE, my neck is good, I’m wrestling again, and there is opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches. I mean, man, I’m really excited. I’m really excited for the next couple of years. I don’t know what I’m gonna get myself into, but not trouble.”
