Joy Giovanni
NamesJoy Giovanni
Birth dateJanuary 20, 1978 (age 48)
Birth placeBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
BilledBoston, Massachusetts
TrainerDaniel Puder, Fit Finlay, The Undertaker
DebutNovember 2004
RetiredJuly 2005
Websitejoyfulmedium.com
SpouseJoseph Giovanni

Joy Giovanni, born January 20, 1978,[1] is a retired Italian-American actress, model and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she worked on the Smackdown! brand. She was the first and only winner of the WWE's Rookie Diva of the Year award.[2]

Modeling career

In 2001, Giovanni won the L.A Model Expo[3] she posed as a lingerie and swimsuit model, posing in multiple magazines. She posed for Bench Warmer trading cards in the 2004 and 2005 trading sets.[4] Giovanni also competed in the 2004 and 2005 Lingerie Bowl events a part of the Los Angeles Temptations team.[5]

In 2005, she was a guest judge for the G4 show, Video Game Vixens.[3]

She featured in the 2005 direct to DVD WWE special, Viva Las Divas photoshoot.[6] She was also in the WWE 2005 SummerSlam diva promotional car wash photoshoot.[7]

In 2006, Giovanni appeared in Avenged Sevenfold's music video, Beast and the Harlot.

Acting career

Giovanni made cameo appearances as an extra in various television shows, including; , Monk, NCIS and Entourage. In 2004, she appeared in the film The Girl Next Door and the independent film Instinct vs. Reason.[8][9] In 2005, she played an air stewardess in the independent film When All Else Fails.[3]

In 2007, Giovanni had a leading role in the Rolfe Kanesky film; Pretty Cool Too, as June.[10]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment (2004–2005)

Giovanni first appeared for the WWE participating in the WWE 2004 Diva Search, where she ultimately placed third. Despite being eliminated, WWE would sign her to an official contract just a few days after her elimination,[11][12] which aired live on the September 13 episode of RAW.[13] During the WWE Diva Search, she participated in the WWE Diva Dodgeball game at the WWE 2004 SummerSlam event a part of the winning team, Team Diva Search.[14][15] She also participated in the controversial, infamous Diss The Diva challenge hosted by Stacy Keibler,[16][17][18] during an episode of RAW Giovanni alongside remaining diva search contestants; Amy Weber, Carmella DeCesare and Christy Hemme competed in a live shoot promo challenge, the segment has gained notoriety for being one of WWE's most explicit segments in history.[19][20][21] Giovanni called out contestant Carmella DeCesare stating; "Carmella, you talk a lot of shit, but look at you, you've got a gap so wide you could drive a truck right through there baby!". DeCesare responded by outing Giovanni as a mother, something she had not told WWE higher-ups, as during this time there was a stigma against women having children in the industry. In a 2023 interview Giovanni revealed that she was confronted by Stephanie McMahon backstage about having a child.[22][23]

Despite being eliminated from The Diva Search, WWE hired Giovanni and she officially debuted on the Smackdown! brand in November 2004 as a massage therapist and also acted as a special guest timekeeper.[3] On the November 25 episode of Smackdown!, Giovanni and Big Show hosted a Thanksgiving party, only to be confronted by Luther Reigns, who would hit Giovanni in the face with a pie, prompting a food fight in the ring. The following week on Smackdown! she was confronted by Luther Reigns again, who tried to force Giovanni to go on a date with him, causing Big Show to save Giovanni, this prompted Giovanni to become Big Show's valet and on-screen girlfriend accompanying him to the ring, cementing her in the main storyline of Smackdown!. Giovanni began feuding with Amy Weber, they would get in to a catfight on the December 16 episode of Smackdown! after Giovanni gave John "Bradshaw" Layfield a candy cane at ringside.[13] At Armageddon, Giovanni kissed Big Show wishing him good luck before his handicap match against Kurt Angle, Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak, which Show won.[24] On the January 6 episode of Smackdown! Giovanni refused to sign Carlito's petition, resulting in him spitting an apple in her face. On the same episode of Smackdown! Kurt Angle was tricked in to walking in to Giovanni's locker room by Amy Weber, to scare her while she showered which caused Giovanni to run backstage in a towel, in to Big Show's arms. This resulted in Show chasing Angle to the ring in defense of Giovanni and attack him. It was then revealed as a trick by The Cabinet to get Show and Angle angry with each other.[25] At the Royal Rumble, she was shown arriving to the arena with the Big Show.[26] On the January 13 episode of Smackdown! Giovanni and Weber would get in to another catfight, Smackdown! general manager Theodore Long would schedule a singles match between Giovanni and Weber, banning Big Show and John "Bradshaw" Layfield from ringside, Giovanni did not show up to the ring for her match therefore losing by forfeit to Weber.[27] It was then revealed Giovanni was kidnapped by Kurt Angle, after she was discovered bound and gagged in John "Bradshaw" Layfield's limousine trunk to prevent the match from happening.[28] On the January 20 episode of Smackdown! Angle was forced to issue an open apology to Giovanni, but when Big Show came down to the ring, Angle tried to leave the arena only to be ushered back by The Cabinet, this turned out to be another ploy as Angle and The Cabinet all attacked Big Show. On the January 27 episode of Smackdown! Giovanni threw a strawberry yoghurt in Weber's face after overhearing her badmouthing Giovanni to the other Smackdown! divas. The following week Giovanni hit Weber over the head with a fish bowl and attacked her, resulting in her being removed from the Smackdown! arena.[29] After Weber's abrupt departure from WWE in February 2005 due to an alleged harassment incident during an overseas tour involving WWE superstars Edge and Randy Orton, their feud was suddenly dropped.[30][31] Giovanni stated in a 2023 interview with Ring The Belle, that she and Weber were working towards a singles match at the 2005 No Way Out pay-per-view.[32]

Giovanni went on to win the first and only WWE Rookie Diva of the Year contest, hosted by Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson, at No Way Out, defeating rookie divas; Lauren Jones, Michelle McCool and Rochelle Loewen. The contest included; an evening gown contest, a talent contest, in which she massaged host Torrie Wilson, and a swimsuit contest. Giovanni won with 65% of the votes.[2] After winning the contest Giovanni and the fellow Smackdown! divas became involved in brief feuds with the villainous Smackdown! divas; Dawn Marie and Melina. At WrestleMania 21 Giovanni appeared in multiple promo videos; including a Taxi Driver parody,[33] she also accompanied the WWE 2005 Hall of Fame inductees to the WrestleMania stage.

She continued appearing on Smackdown! in backstage segments, bikini contests and lingerie contests, including one on the April 7 episode of Smackdown! where she was the runner-up in the Viva Las Vegas Divas bikini contest to Torrie Wilson. She also began training to wrestle with Fit Finlay and The Undertaker.[34][35] In May 2005, she featured in a number of backstage segments as the friend of Sharmell comforting her during her feud with Kurt Angle.[36] Giovanni then became a ring girl, featuring in weekly segments that involved coming out to greet the Smackdown! fans, shooting t-shirts to fans in the audience or venturing in to the crowd to meet fans alongside Torrie Wilson.[37][38] She then began sporadically appearing at Smackdown! house shows in bikini contests.[39] She was featured in the direct to DVD WWE Viva Las Divas special and was featured in the WWE 2005 SummerSlam Diva promotional car wash photoshoot.[6][7] She made her video game debut as a playable wrestler in WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2006.[40]

Giovanni was released from her contract due to budget cuts on July 6, 2005, despite just signing a 3 year contract with the company.[41][42][43]

After her WWE stint Giovanni made multiple appearances at wrestling conventions, in 2009, she had a couple appearances at independent wrestling events.[44] Giovanni and Weber released a DVD with Big Vision Entertainment in 2009 labelled Amy vs. Joy. The DVD focused on their WWE feud and featured bonus interviews and clips, including clips of Giovanni training for an in-ring debut with former WWE superstar and MMA fighter; Daniel Puder.[45][46]

Sporadic WWE appearances (2009, 2015, 2018)

Giovanni returned at WWE's WrestleMania 25 event, making her official in-ring debut in a 25 Diva battle royal, to determine the first WWE Miss WrestleMania and to celebrate 25 years of women at WrestleMania.[47] Giovanni was one of the six legend divas to return for one night only alongside; Miss Jackie, Molly Holly, Sunny, Torrie Wilson and Victoria.[48] Giovanni was eliminated second by The Bella Twins.[49] She was also in attendance at the WWE 2009 Hall of Fame ceremony.

In 2015, during WrestleMania 31, WWE announced multiple new reality shows set to air on the WWE Network, including a returning Diva Search. The official advertisement video package for the returning Diva Search featured clips of the most successful former Diva Search contestants, including Giovanni. The show was ultimately canceled in late 2015 due to WWE phasing out the term "Diva" that same year.[50]

In 2018, Giovanni was referenced on the Smackdown! 1000 episode special in a rap celebrating 80 of the most memorable Smackdown! stars by American rapper, Bodie.[51][52]

Personal life

Giovanni is of Italian descent.[53] In 2010, she began working an internship for a chiropractor in Los Angeles, California, she also became recertified in massage therapy for a new business venture.[13] She opened a massage therapy business in San Diego, California in 2014.[54]

Giovanni has a son who was born October 20, 1998, and a daughter who was born November 19, 2000.[55] Giovanni and her long time husband Joseph Giovanni filed for divorce in 2021.[56]

As of 2025 Giovanni works as a psychic medium and tarot reader. She is currently living in California. She hosts a podcast titled Spirit Speakeasy[57] and regularly guest features on different podcasts. Since leaving the professional wrestling industry she remains close friends with Amy Weber and René Duprée.

Filmography

Film and television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003'Background extra1 episode
MonkBackground extra1 episode
NCISBackground extra1 episode
2004Lingerie BowlSelf; Los Angeles TemptationTV special
The Girl Next DoorStudent
WWE RAW Diva Search Casting SpecialSelf; contestantTV special
WWE $250,000 RAW Diva SearchSelf; contestant3rd place, 10 episodes
Instinct vs. ReasonStripper
EntourageParty girlUncredited, 1 episode
SummerSlam (2004)Joy GiovanniTV special
Armageddon (2004)Joy GiovanniTV special
2005Royal Rumble (2005)Joy GiovanniTV special
Lingerie Bowl IISelf; Los Angeles TemptationTV special
No Way Out (2005)Joy GiovanniTV special
When All Else FailsAir stewardess
WWE Hall of Fame 2005Self; attendeeTV special
WrestleMania 21Joy GiovanniTV special
WWE Viva Las DivasSelf; featureDirect to DVD
Video Game VixensSelf; judgeTV special
SummerSlam (2005)Joy GiovanniTV special
2007Pretty Cool TooJune
2009Amy vs. JoySelf; featureDirect to DVD
WWE Hall of Fame 2009Self; attendeeTV special
WrestleMania 25Joy GiovanniTV special
WWE: The Best of Smackdown! - 10th Anniversary 1999-2009Self; featureDocumentary, archive footage
2011E:60Self; ex WWE Diva1 episode
2012Undertaker: The Streak 20-0Self; featureDocumentary, archive footage
2018NCIS: Los AngelesBackground extraUncredited, 1 episode
Podcasts
YearTitleRoleNotes
2021My Big BreakSelf; guest1 episode
Amy Weber UnleashedSelf; guest1 episode
2023The A2theK Wrestling ShowSelf; guest1 episode
Rise to the Challenge PodcastSelf; guest1 episode
Ring The BelleSelf; guest1 episode
Cafe de René with René DupréeSelf; guest1 episode
The Geena The Latina ShowSelf; guest1 episode
2023-Spirit SpeakeasySelf; host
2024Conversations with Rich BennettSelf; guest1 episode
Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Christopher LooSelf; guest1 episode
2025The Going North PodcastSelf; guest1 episode
Music videos
YearTitleArtistRole
2006Beast and the HarlotAvenged SevenfoldStripper
Video games
YearTitleRoleNotes
2005WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2006Joy GiovanniVideo game debut

Awards and accomplishments

World Wrestling Entertainment

References

  1. ^ "Joy Giovanni Pictures, Profile". Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  2. ^ "No Way Out results"
  3. ^ "AskMen profile". AskMen. Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  4. ^ "Joy Giovanni Cards | Trading Card Database". www.tcdb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  5. ^ "Photos and Pictures - Joy Giovanni of LA Temptation at the Lingerie Bowl 2005 Kickoff Party for the 2005 Lingerie Football League at Club XES, Hollywood, CA. 09-01-04". imagecollect.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  6. ^ D, Mark (2019-01-04). "Full Content Listing for WWE Viva Las Divas DVD | Wrestling DVD Network". www.wrestlingdvdnetwork.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  7. ^ "The Divas of SummerSlam: photos". WWE. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  8. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (2005-09-24). "SmackDown Countdown 2005: Joy Giovanni". IGN. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  9. ^ "Wayback Machine". www.joygiovanni.com. Archived 2005-08-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  10. ^ "Pretty Cool Too | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  11. ^ "Cagematch profile"
  12. ^ OWOW (July 9, 2008). "12/10/04 Internet News". OWOW. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  13. ^ "Joy Giovanni"
  14. ^ "THIS DAY IN HISTORY: WWE DIVA DODGEBALL | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  15. ^ "TJR Retro: WWE SummerSlam 2004 Review (Randy Orton becomes youngest World Champion ever) – TJR Wrestling". tjrwrestling.net. 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  16. ^ "411MANIA". Joy Giovanni Reveals What Diva Search Contestants Were Told Before ‘Diss The Diva’ Segment. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  17. ^ Bobby (2014-03-24). "From the Vault: August 30th, 2004 Raw". Diva Dirt. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  18. ^ DoubleZWWE (2021-01-15). Diss The Diva | August 30, 2004 Raw. Retrieved 2025-03-18. – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "411MANIA". Bruce Prichard Says He Hated The Diva Search, Recalls Infamous ‘Diss the Diva’ Segment. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  20. ^ Howse, Lewis (2014-12-03). "10 Most Controversial 'Shoot' Comments From WWE TV". WhatCulture.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
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  24. ^ "WWE Armageddon 2004 - OWW". 2010-04-11. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  25. ^ Sneha Jha (2017-03-05). Joy Giovanni, Kurt Angle, Big Show Segment SmackDown. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "WWE Royal Rumble 2005 - OWW". 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  27. ^ "Dailymotion". www.dailymotion.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  28. ^ Big Show HD Collection (2022-11-05). Big Show beats up JBL for kidnapping Joy Giovanni (WWE SmackDown!) HD | 2005. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via YouTube.
  29. ^ ((angeldoc3)) (2006-09-02). "joy giovanni smacks amy webber". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  30. ^ Sharma, Ishaan (2023-04-27). "How Bullying From Wrestlers Drove Amy Weber Out Of WWE, Explained". TheSportster. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  31. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (2020-04-20). "Amy Weber Reveals Alleged Harrassment [sic] From Edge & Randy Orton Caused Her To Leave WWE". Fightful News. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  32. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (2023-03-18). "Joy Giovanni Talks 2005 WWE Release - "I Was Pretty Devastated"". Diva Dirt. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  33. ^ WWE (2013-02-22). Batista, Big Show and others do their best "Taxi Driver" impersonations: WrestleMania 21. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via YouTube.
  34. ^ "Joy Giovanni Recalls The Undertaker Teaching Her How To Bump | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  35. ^ "411MANIA". Joy Giovanni Remembers Learning How To Bump From The Undertaker. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  36. ^ WRESLTING WWE (2017-10-24). Sharmell, Joy Giovanni, Mark Jindrak & Booker T Segment And Wreslting May 19, 2005. Retrieved 2025-08-27. – via YouTube.
  37. ^ ((2016DivasMediaOldSchoolClassicVideos)) (2016-01-14). "720pHD: WWE SmackDown! 02.10.05: Joy Giovanni". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  38. ^ "Dailymotion". www.dailymotion.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  39. ^ "Joy Giovanni - Online World of Wrestling". Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  40. ^ "Joy Giovanni". Thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  41. ^ "WWE releases several Superstars". World Wrestling Entertainment. 8 July 2005. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  42. ^ Jr, Fernando Quiles (2023-02-02). "Joy Giovanni Reflects On Her 2005 Release From WWE". Wrestling Inc.. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  43. ^ Cyrus, Mark T. (2023-07-11). "Joy Giovanni Didn't Anticipate Being Let Go By Wwe A Year Into A Three-Year Contract". Bodyslam.net. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  44. ^ "JOY GIOVANNI TALKS ABOUT WM 25, DIVA SEARCH & MORE | WrestlingFigs". Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  45. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-08-14). "DVD Review: "Amy vs. Joy"". WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  46. ^ amyweber (2009-04-10). Amy Weber VS. Joy Giovanni DVD Trailer. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Martin, Adam (2009-04-06). "List of Divas in Mania Battle Royal". WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  48. ^ "Backstage Beauties of WrestleMania XXV: photos". WWE. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  49. ^ "Joy wins 25-Diva Battle Royal for title of Miss WrestleMania"
  50. ^ Middleton, Marc (2015-09-02). "Possible Changes For WWE Tag Team, Big Guest For Steve Austin On WWE Network?, Diva Search News". Wrestling Inc.. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  51. ^ Watch this unbelievable rap tribute to SmackDown 1000. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via www.wwe.com.
  52. ^ WWE (2018-10-16). Rapper drops 80+ WWE references in SmackDown tribute. Retrieved 2025-03-16. – via YouTube.
  53. ^ "Joy Giovanni Biography, Body Statistics, Facts". Famedstars.com. 29 September 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  54. ^ "Meet Joy Giovanni of Zen Temple Wellness in Sorrento Valley". 3 November 2017.
  55. ^ joy giovanni (20 October 2014). "16years ago today my baby boy was born. I was blessed w a wonderful baby & now I am blessed w an amazing young man. Happy Birthday! I ❤️u!". No. 524214373124800512.
  56. ^ "JOY GIOVANNI VS JOSEPH GIOVANNI". UniCourt. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  57. ^ "Joy Giovanni, Psychic Healer and Spirit Medium". www.joyfulmedium.com. Retrieved 2025-03-16.