Alicia Atout has broken up the boys’ club of pro wrestling media.

She isn’t concerned with wins/losses, attendance figures or backstage scoops. She’s focused on the people behind the character, ushering in an unprecedented sense of lifestyle journalism. No keyboard warrior, she pounds the pavement across the United States and Canada. Without the financial backing or support of any entity aside from her family, friends and fans, she has carved her own niche in the genre, becoming ubiquitous over the past three years.

She’s also Major League Wrestling’s hottest acquisition.

“Trolls say I got signed so quickly for whatever reason, blah, blah, blah,” Alicia Atout, 24, says. “You know what? I’ve been busting my butt since I was 16 years old. It feels like something that was meant to happen and I couldn’t be happier that it happened with MLW.”

Contrary to her sudden rise in the wrestling world, music was Atout’s first love. The Toronto native launched her website A Music Blog, Yea? (AMBY) in 2012, featuring album reviews, written interviews, curated playlists and more. In its first year, AMBY won the Canadian Weblog Awards for Best Media and Journalism Blog and Best Arts and Culture Blog, as well as the MiB Award for Best Canadian Art and Culture/Music blog.

Within a few years, Atout found her calling: video. Teaching herself how to shoot and edit, she launched a YouTube channel featuring interviews with bands and musicians that quickly racked up thousands of views. From researching guests to learning equipment to performing on camera to promoting on social media, AMBY was a total DIY operation.

And she did it all without a college education. “I feel like so much of it’s out there already that you can teach yourself,” Atout says. “As long as you have the bare bones of a personality and a strong work ethic, anything is possible. I saved a lot of money by not going to school, but it’s never out of the question. Worst case scenario, you can always go after you chased your dream and didn’t get where you wanted to be.”

After establishing her presence in the music industry, Atout’s father suggested she expand her reach to include celebrities, professional athletes and even pro wrestlers. So, she reached out to local independent promotion Smash Wrestling and began interviewing members of the roster before and after shows. Immersing herself in the product, she soon hosted backstage promos and even served as ring announcer.

“When I first started doing music interviews, I was so young that I’d walk into a room and people just don’t take you seriously,” Atout says. “Back then, I wasn’t wearing makeup to interviews. I’d show up in a band T-shirt and jeans. I didn’t dress up or put much effort into it because I was naïve and didn’t know. Then when I was given the chance to sit down with talent, people would realize I’m actually good at my job.”

Maintaining a gaily demeanor and mellifluous tone, Atout keeps guests engaged and viewers captivated. These aren’t hard-hitting exposes a la Diane Sawyer – they’re breezy chats to watch on your lunchbreak. Wrestling fans learn fun tidbits about their favorites, such as Ethan Page’s toy collection, Scarlett Bordeaux’s pet peeve about Killer Kross and how Jim Duggan began carrying a 2×4. Learning from those band T-shirt days, Atout put more effort into her appearance, developing a unique, yet stylish fashion sense that pays tribute to the ‘70s.

As a result of her creativity, genuineness and never-ending hustle, Alicia Atout has become wrestling’s premiere social media influencer, branding herself “The Interview Queen.”

“You have to be a tough cookie because this industry will tear you apart,” Atout says. “To be in any part of the entertainment industry, you have to have thick skin. People can be so cruel online. Negativity used to get to me. I would cry all the time going to bed. How can these people be so mean to a kid who’s just trying to live her dream and make it? Now I just laugh it off and quote/retweet it for my fans to attack.”

It’s not just negativity from fans online – Atout has encountered hostility from those within the business, too. In certain locker rooms, she says, she’s felt jealousy or animosity over her selling merchandise and taking screen time from others. Of course, she’s just doing her job.

“It’s like high school all over again,” Atout says. “Not everyone will understand you or appreciate what you bring to the table. I was actually talking to Vickie Guerrero about this the other day. At the end of the day, if you can lay your head down and know you’re a good person, don’t let any of that BS get to you.”

A damsel in a male-dominated industry, her diffidence has faded over time. She’s logged the miles, endured the gossip, snatched the big names and proven her worth. Although she’s previously worked for Impact Wrestling and AEW, MLW is the first company to offer her a contract. It’s not only a multi-year deal, but also validation that all her hard work and risk-taking has paid off. A delicious cocktail of gypsy, tech geek and roving reporter, Alicia Atout belongs on TV.

“I love the grit of MLW,” Atout says. “So much of what you see isn’t scripted. You can really go off the cuff, improvise and have fun. It’s also the first locker room where not once have I felt judged. I’m not saying I haven’t been judged – I’m sure I am – but no one goes out of their way to be negative. Everyone is accepting. People go for coffee and ask if you want to tag along.”

Working MLW’s most recent events in New York, Dallas and Philadelphia, Atout instantly clicked with the roster because she’s interviewed most members in their previous lives on the indie scene. Her chemistry with The Dynasty is undeniable. “They’re always so funny,” Atout says. “They used to do promos alone, but now they’ve added me to the segments. MJF and I are a little relentless when it comes to harsh words back and forth. But he deserves it – he’s a prick.”

There’s a lot to learn from her inspirational journey, whether navigating the media landscape in the digital age or how to infiltrate a heavily guarded society. There will certainly be copycats and imitations over the next decade or so, but if they want to succeed, they better have the same gumption and persistence. From YouTuber to starlet, Alicia Atout has achieved the modern American dream.

“Court (Bauer) hustles so much to grow this company,” Atout says. “When you have a boss like that, it’s not only endearing, but it’s promising and comforting to know they want to succeed as much as you do. We’re going to be making some huge moves and I’m glad I get to be a part of them.”