Perry parlayed the exposure into a modelling career, appearing in photoshoots in publications such as theRIDGID Tool Calendar and working as a spokesmodel for the energy drinks Matrix andRed Bull.[8] Upon graduating from FSU, she relocated toLos Angeles with the aim of working in show business.[8]
In 2009, Perry joined No Means Yes, agirl group signed toNe-Yo'srecord label comprising Perry (billed as "CJ"), Kat, Shea, and Tanu. The group released onesingle, "Would You Like That", and recorded two others ("7 Years Bad Luck" and "Burn Rubber") before disbanding in 2010.[8][9] Perry later stated:
A girlfriend of mine in college referred me to the man that was putting the group together. I honestly was so scared to sing and I didn't even know a song to sing at the audition so I sang "Jesus Loves Me". I remember them saying "we can work with her tone because she has the right look and she is a model that break dances". I am so thankful to this day for that experience because I do not think I would have ever gotten the role inPitch Perfect if I hadn't overcome my fear to open my mouth and sing.[8]
Perry (as Lana) (left) celebrating a win alongRusev at aRaw event in April 2014
In June 2013, Perry revealed that she had been signed toWWE and was sent to theirdevelopmental branchNXT.[16] She debuted on the October 23, 2013, episode ofNXT, under thering name "Lana", scoutingAlexander Rusev.[6] On the November 6 episode ofNXT, Lana became Rusev's "social ambassador", using aRussian accent and developing a character who majored inForeign Affairs and Business and Social Media Marketing in college.[17] Lana made her main roster debut on the January 31 episode ofSmackDown, where she and Rusev in the following weeks appeared in a series of self-promotional videos and speeches.[18][19][20] In early May, Lana began dedicating Rusev's matches to her "hero",President of RussiaVladimir Putin, as well as adopting ananti-American,Russophilicgimmick.[21][22]
Lana made some controversial comments during an in-ring promo prior to Rusev's match atBattleground, blaming the United States for current world events and praising Putin. Although she did not directly mention it, some media outlets said Lana was making reference to the crash ofMalaysia Airlines Flight 17, which happened three days before Battleground, to help buildheat for Rusev in hisfeud againstJack Swagger.[23][24] A representative of WWE later toldTMZ that the segment was not specifically about the Malaysia Airlines crash, noting that the Rusev-Lana storyline "has been a part of WWE programming for more than three months. WWE apologizes to anyone who misunderstood last night's segment and was offended".[25]
Following the November 3 episode ofRaw, Rusev defeatedSheamus onWWE Network to capture theUnited States Championship.[26] AtWrestleMania 31, Rusev lost the title toJohn Cena after Rusev accidentally crashed into Lana, knocking her off the ring apron.[27] On May 17, atPayback, Cena defeated Rusev in an"I Quit" match after Lana quit on Rusev's behalf.[28] The following night onRaw, Lana justified her actions by explaining that Rusev said he quit inBulgarian, only for him to harshly dismiss her; later that night, Lana kissedDolph Ziggler,turning herface (i.e., changing sides) and officially ending their association.[29] After Ziggler being injured by Rusev,[30] he went to return on the August 17 episode ofRaw, aiding Lana during a confrontation with Rusev andSummer Rae.[31] Rae went on to "seduce" Ziggler in order to end his relationship with Lana,[32][33] but the storyline ended quietly, after WWE announced that Lana had injured her wrist while training.[34] On October 11,TMZ reported that Lana had gotten engaged to Rusev,[35] which Lana confirmed.[36] Lana made her return, once again as avillainess, on the November 30 episode ofRaw, where she and Rusev referenced their engagement.
On the April 25, 2016, episode ofRaw, Lana returned to managing Rusev,[37] After being drafted toRaw as part of the2016 WWE draft which took place on July 19,[38][39] Lana made her first appearance for the brand on August 1, where she accompanied Rusev.[40] On August 8, Rusev's and Lana's wedding celebration was usurped byRoman Reigns,[41] and one week later on the August 15 episode ofRaw, Rusev competed in a match for Lana's honor against Reigns but lost.[42] In early 2017, Rusev suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, taking them off television.
Perry, as Lana (far back), along with fellowTeam B.A.D. & Blonde members, walking to the ring before their match at theWrestleMania 32 event in April 2016
On the February 29, 2016, episode ofRaw, Lana confrontedBrie Bella during a backstage segment, arguing that Bella's fans only supported her out of pity for having a "badhusband",[43] On the March 14 episode ofRaw, she distracted Brie during atag team match againstTeam B.A.D. (Naomi andTamina), causing her to lose, and aligned herself with Team BAD.[44] On the March 22 episode ofMain Event, she brought the returningEmma andSummer Rae to her guild.[45] As a result, Lana faced off Bella in a tag team match at theWrestleMania 32 pre-show, in what would be Lana's in-ring debut, which her team (dubbed Team B.A.D. & Blonde) lost.[46][47]
On the September 30, 2019, episode ofRaw, Lana started a romantic storyline where she started a relationship withBobby Lashley, kissing him in front of Rusev.[59] However, the storyline was dropped after Rusev was legitimately released from his WWE contract. Lana then began a feud withMVP, after he tried to gain Lashley as an ally.[citation needed] AfterBacklash, where Lashley was unsuccessful in capturing the WWE Championship due to an altercation between MVP and Lana at ringside, Lashley chose to stay with MVP instead of Lana.[60] Since September, Lana worked with Nia Jax, where Jax performed aSamoan drop on Lana through the commentator's table.[61] That would become a recurring theme, as Jax would Samoan drop Lana through the table on a weekly basis duringRaw.[citation needed][62] On November 22, atSurvivor Series, Lana participated in a traditionalSurvivor Series elimination match as part of team Raw.[63] During the match, Lana was told by her teammates to stand on the ring steps and not tag in again.[63] At the end of the match, Jax andBianca Belair from team SmackDown were counted out, leaving Lana the sole survivor thus winning the match for teamRaw.
Perry debuted inAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) at itsAll Out pay-per-view on September 3, 2023, attempting to save her husband,Miro, from a post-match attack fromPowerhouse Hobbs by hitting Hobbs with achair.[69] On the September 23 episode ofAEW Collision, Perry (now known as "CJ") gave an interview withLexy Nair in which she stated that Miro had "lost his way" and that she would be managing other clients.[2] On the October 14 episode ofCollision, Miro attackedAction Andretti after Andretti expressed an interest in being managed by CJ.[70] In November 2023, CJ began managingAndrade El Idolo,[71] leading to a match between Andrade and Miro atWorlds End the following month, where Miro defeated Andrade after CJturned on Andrade.[72][73] This marked Perry's final appearance with AEW.[74]
On April 21, 2025, it was announced that Perry had re-signed withWWE under a "Legends" contract. Her husbandBarnyashev (again performing as Rusev) returned toRaw the same day as a full-time competitor.[75] On November 17, 2025, as a guest on Daria Berenato's (known in the wrestling world asSonya Deville) podcast, Perry confirmed she'd retired from professional wrestling, after being released in 2021.[76]
In 2016, it was announced that Perry would be featured as a main cast member for the sixth season ofTotal Divas.[81] Perry joined the cast of VH1's reboot ofThe Surreal Life in 2021.[82]
Perry once dated actor and former American football playerIsaiah Mustafa.[83] She married Bulgarian professional wrestler Miroslav Barnyashev (better known by his ring names "Rusev" and "Miro") on July 29, 2016.[84] They separated in winter 2023.[85] In March 2025,TMZ reported that the couple had reconciled.[86]
In December 2023, Perry was hospitalized with an unknown infection resulting from asplinter that started in her left finger and travelled up her arm; she was released from the hospital later that month after undergoing surgery.[87] In November 13, 2025, Perry announced that she is expecting their first child, due toIVF.[88]
^abJames, Justin (November 1, 2013)."James's WWE NXT Report 10/30". Pro Wrestling Torch.Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. RetrievedNovember 3, 2013.Lefort comes into the ring and Rusev knocks him to the mat with a belly splash for no obvious reason. [Rusev] goes to the back without Lefort.
^James, Justin (November 21, 2013)."James's WWE NXT Report 11/20". Pro Wrestling Torch.Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. RetrievedNovember 21, 2013.The Mysterious Blonde announces Alexander Rusev. Apparently, she is "Lana" his social ambassador.
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