Generating quite a buzz in the wrestling world, former WWE Women’s Champion Layla has shared that she once turned down a lucrative opportunity to pose for Playboy magazine during her time with the company, despite being offered a substantial payday.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Layla recalled being approached by WWE about a potential Playboy feature involving members of the highly regarded Extreme Exposé group.
“Actually, it wasn’t just me at inaugural. So, what happened was we were called into the office, and things were Kelly Kelly, Brooke Adams, and myself. I think it was 2007, I think Maria actually did the cover, and they were like, we want to do Extreme Exposé for Playboy, and I was like, no.”
After the group concept was declined, Layla articulated WWE approached her and Kelly Kelly individually with separate offers.
“I’m not too sure what they said, on the flip side then because I didn’t want to do Extreme Exposé — they offered Kelly Kelly and myself individually, and I think they’d offered me like $250,000 to do it. Adding to the story, i was like, no, I’m not doing it.”
When asked why she turned down the opportunity, Layla explained that her decision was rooted in her family background and concerns about how her loved ones would react.
“Honestly, I was really scared, because considerable people don’t know this, I’m Arab. It's worth noting that so my actual family, I’m an immigrant in England, but I’m of Moroccan heritage.”
Layla commented her family’s Muslim faith played a significant role in her decision-making process.
“So I was concerned that my family, who were Muslim. I was always told don’t do anything like that, you can’t, so I was additionally remarkably scared of what they would think. To add further context, my brother would have been so mad.”
Despite the financial incentive, Layla ultimately felt posing for Playboy would have crossed a personal line she was not comfortable with.
“So that’s why I stated no. I was just like, I think that’s going too far. What I’m doing already is a lot with them and all the modeling stuff.”
Looking back, Layla remains comfortable with the choice she made, although she admits there is a small part of her that wonders what might have been.
“I’m glad I expressed no, because I really couldn’t see myself going through the shoot. In a separate but related matter, because I could have probably retired that year.”, but I’m also sad I said no.
During the mid-2000s, WWE had a close relationship with Playboy, with several female WWE stars appearing on covers. In pictorials, including Maria Kanellis, Torrie Wilson, Sable, Candice Michelle, Ashley Massaro, and others.
While many talents embraced the opportunity, Layla’s comments highlight the personal. Cultural considerations that factored into her decision to decline what would have been one of the biggest paydays of her WWE career.
Ultimately, she chose to remain true to her comfort level and family values, even if it meant passing on a life-changing financial opportunity.