In celebration of Black History Month, David Otunga talked to TheYBF.com about breaking down barriers as a black wrestler in the WWE and how he knew he'd fallen in love with Jennfer Hudson. More inside.....
He's gone from Harvard Law School, to VH1's "I Love New York 2" to becoming a high profile wrestler for the billion dollar business that is the WWE. The extra fit 33-year-old Chicago native also works with the WWE's anti-bullying campaigns and other charitable endeavors. And he dished about his Academy Award-winning fiancee Jennifer Hudson (who's had her own amazing fitness journey since being in a relationship with David) and their adorable 4-year-old son David Jr.
Tell us about WWE's Black History Month initiative and what it's like being one of the few African Americans in such a high-profile international sport?
The WWE is doing a great job with the video packages they post every week highlight African American superstars who’ve made a huge impact on the world of wrestling. There's Tony Atlas, Rocky Johnson, Ron Simmons, and so many more.
It feels really good to be one of the WWE’s African American superstars and to know there are little kids looking up to me. So it’s very cool to represent for everybody.
Is there a sense of rivalry or camaraderie among you and the other African Americans in the WWE? We've seen how The Funkadactyls and others interact on the E! show "Total Divas".
I think everyone gets along really great because we’re on the road together…we’re like a family. There’s a shared bond…we’re really close. We didn’t know each other before…but there’s that bond there.
How do you view your cultural impact?
I try to use the platform to show everything that I can do. Not just to show that I'm a wrestler, but also that I’m a lawyer too. I graduated from Harvard Law School and I do a lot of different things in that area. Also, I do a lot of the WWE charity events and I give talks about bullying. I tell kids that you can achieve anything, no matter who you are or where you came from. I really stress that to the African American kids. I’ve achieved everything I wanted. I set a goal and I achieve it.
How can one enter the WWE?:
It’s a lot easier now…..they have the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and it's awesome. They hold tryouts there all the time.
How did you and Jennifer spend Valentine's Day?
With a couple of surprises. I’m very romantic. It’s something I pride myself on.
How did you know you were in love with Jennifer?
It's just one of those things…one day it's there. You wake up and you can't imagine your life without this person.
What do you plan to teach your son about love?
I'm gonna teach him to respect a woman and treat her like he'd treat his mother.
Good advice Papa David!
Watch David in action below:
Photo via David's Instagram
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