- Prior to entering wrestling, Leah Van Dale worked as a fitness instructor and modelled under the name Leah Van Damme - She was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots NFL team and a dancer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA - Her father, Paul Van Dale, wrestled during the 1980s and 1990s, most notably appearing on WWF television on multiple occasions as enhancement talent - In June 2013 she was signed to a developmental contract by WWE and reported to their Performance Center in Florida to begin wrestling training. - She made her debut in November at house shows for the company's developmental brand, NWA SAW, where she managed Colin Cassady - She was later given the ring name Carmella and wrestled her first match in June 2014 - Carmella first appeared on NXT television in September 2014, where she was again paired with Cassady and his tag team partner Enzo Amore, starring alongside the pair in a series of comic vignettes where the pair caused her to lose her job as a hair stylist, and she demanded they find her a job in NXT as compensation - She began appearing as their valet as well as wrestling, beginning with a series of matches against a local talent known only as Blue Pants