Kia Michelle Stevens is known both for her portrayal of Awesome Kong in pro-wrestling and as Tammé Dawson on the Netflix series GLOW. She spoke to USA Today recently about balancing her roles for both GLOW and AEW.
She was asked about going back to the Awesome Kong character in May when she debuted for AEW at Double or Nothing.
“It was strange to slip back into her skin and psyche because Kong is a totally different psyche from Kia,” she said. “And I seriously was in my room the night before, praying on it that she would appear and that I would remember everything about her psyche to get to that place.”
“The reception was so breathtaking that my knees almost buckled,” Stevens said. “I almost didn’t make it to that ring because my legs turned to jelly. I love wrestling fans for that.”
Kia Stevens On GLOW
The upcoming season of GLOW will premiere on August 9th, 2019 on Netflix. One of the themes present in the show this season is said to be the wear-and-tear that pro-wrestlers endure.
“I thought they were spot-on, especially because I actually struggle with back injuries,” said Stevens. “So, when I read through my script it was (like it was) straight out of my diary.”
Awesome Kong on Women’s Wrestling
Stevens also commented on the state of women’s wrestlling.
“It’s a long time coming,” she said. “I’m just really happy that women are finally being seen as athletes and people who can compete, can perform at the caliber of the men and are given the opportunity to be performers and not like a sideshow. So I’m glad that I feel like I had a little bit to do with that. I’m glad I’ve been able to do my part.”
The full interview can be read here.
