Priscilla Kelly has provided a candid look into one of the darkest periods of her professional wrestling career, revealing how she spent nearly a year in WWE feeling disconnected, depressed, and going through the motions.[1][2] The former Toxic Attraction member, known to WWE audiences as Gigi Dolin, recently sat down with Denise Salcedo to discuss the mental health battles and behind-the-scenes challenges that plagued her tenure with the company.
Speaking candidly about her experience, Kelly described the relentless NXT schedule in Orlando as monotonous and soul-crushing, comparing it to living in a perpetual loop.[1] The grind of performing night after night without meaningful creative direction or personal fulfillment left her questioning whether she still belonged in professional wrestling at all.
The Toxic Attraction Era: Success Masking Internal Struggle
While Toxic Attraction appeared to be thriving on screen with championship opportunities and main event spots, the reality behind the scenes told a vastly different story for Kelly.[6] The faction, which included Mandy Rose and Jacy Jayne, became one of NXT’s most prominent acts from 2021 to 2025, but Kelly’s involvement came at a significant personal cost.
“I did feel like with Toxic Attraction, I lost myself as a character,” Kelly explained. “I became what they wanted me to be. I was more of that sexy glam character rather than the gritty, grungy, unnerving one that I’ve always been.”[6] This identity crisis proved to be more than just a creative complaint—it fundamentally affected her mental state and contributed to the depression that would consume her over the following months.
The disconnect between her authentic self and the character she was portraying created a psychological strain that compounded her struggles.[4] Kelly found herself trapped in a cycle where she was performing at a high level on television but crumbling on the inside.
A Year Of Going Through The Motions
By the tail end of Toxic Attraction, Kelly’s mental health had deteriorated significantly.[1] She described spending months simply “showing up and collecting a paycheck,” a phrase that encapsulates the despair she felt during this period. The repetitive nature of the NXT schedule—the same city, the same venue, the same routines—became emblematic of her stagnation both creatively and personally.
“I went through a lot of stuff in WWE that kind of shot me into this horrible depression,” Kelly revealed. “At the tail end of Toxic, I was severely depressed. I put on a bunch of weight. I started not caring about my ring work. I kind of gave up because I was just so depressed because of things that were happening behind the scenes.”[1][2]
The physical manifestations of her depression were undeniable. Weight gain and neglect of her craft became outward signs of the internal turmoil she was experiencing. More troublingly, Kelly acknowledged that certain individuals within WWE treated her in ways that pushed her to an even darker place.
Bullying And The Suicidal Ideation
Perhaps the most alarming revelation from Kelly’s interview was her admission that she experienced suicidal thoughts during her WWE tenure.[2][3] While she refrained from naming specific individuals or detailing exact incidents, Kelly made clear that the treatment she received from “some people” in WWE was severe enough to threaten her life.
“Some people were very, very, very not nice to me, to the point that I was suicidal for a little bit, because I was really going through it,” Kelly stated.[1][3] The casual mention of suicidal ideation underscores the toxic environment that existed within the walls of the WWE Performance Center and NXT facilities.
According to wrestling industry observers familiar with the situation, WWE’s handling of performer mental health has long been a point of contention within the company. Sources close to the situation have noted that the pressure-cooker environment of WWE, combined with the demanding travel schedule and creative uncertainty, creates conditions ripe for mental health crises among talent.
Personal Tragedy Compounding Professional Struggles
Kelly’s suffering wasn’t limited to the workplace. She was battling significant personal demons simultaneously, which made her professional struggles feel insurmountable.[2] With her father incarcerated and other family members facing serious challenges, Kelly was dealing with an overwhelming amount of trauma and responsibility during her WWE years.
“Both of my parents have a lot of issues. My dad’s been in prison for the last four years. My little brother is going through hell. I have a lot of personal stuff going on,” Kelly explained, providing crucial context for understanding the depth of her depression.[2] The combination of professional mistreatment and personal tragedy created a perfect storm of mental anguish.
The Path To Recovery And Finding Herself Again
Despite hitting rock bottom, Kelly eventually began her journey toward recovery. The turning point came around 2023, when she started to feel like herself again and began main eventing matches with renewed confidence.[2] For the first time in months, she felt a glimmer of hope that she might reclaim her career and her identity as a performer.
“That’s when I really felt like, ‘Okay, this is who I am, this is the kind of wrestling I like to do,'” Kelly reflected on this period of improvement.[2]
However, just as Kelly was beginning to rebuild herself mentally and physically, tragedy struck again. A torn meniscus injury derailed her momentum and threatened to send her spiraling once more.[1] The injury served as another reminder of the cruel timing that seemed to follow Kelly throughout her WWE career.
Life After WWE
Kelly’s contract expired in May 2025 and was not renewed by WWE, despite her continued involvement in championship programs.[1] The parting, while painful, ultimately proved liberating. Since her departure, Kelly has found success on the independent wrestling scene, performing for companies like GCW (Game Changer Wrestling) and MLW (Major League Wrestling).[1]
These alternative companies have allowed Kelly to reclaim her authentic character—the gritty, grungy, unnerving performer she always wanted to be—without the suffocating pressure and toxic environment of WWE.
Final Thoughts
Priscilla Kelly’s willingness to speak openly about her mental health struggles and the bullying she endured in WWE sends an important message to the wrestling community about the human cost of professional wrestling at the highest levels. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of mental health support, workplace accountability, and the need for wrestling promotions to foster healthier environments for their talent.
As Kelly continues her journey in professional wrestling on the independent scene, her candid revelations about her darkest WWE days may help illuminate the challenges that many performers face behind closed doors—struggles that often go unnoticed by fans watching from home.