La Femme Chiquita (January - 2001) by Tim 'The Tow Truck' Towe At age 25, WCW Nirto Girl Chiquita has already made her mark on the dance stage. World Championship Wrestling's Nitro Girls are a talented bunch. While all of them have a background in trained dance, few boast the credentials of Chiquita Adams. Besides being a current member of the Nitro Girls, Adams has performed for a professional basketball team's dance squad and for some of pop music's hottest acts. Recently, WOW interviewed Chiquita to learn a little more about this dancing beauty. Q: Chiquita rour roal name? A: Yes, believe it or not, Chiquita is my birth name. Q: While most people have a stage name, you kept Chiquita, why? A: I went with that name as my stage name because ever since I was a child, I have wanted to be that 'dancing banana.' In addition, my mother would kill me if I had chosen another! She loves my name along with the jingle that goes with it! !:, You obviously are an excellent dancer. Whatsort of backqround do you have in performance and dance? A: I am a trained professional dancer. I have been dancing forever. When I was about 15 years old, I started doing hip-hop, which is a form of jazz dancing. From there, I attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where I received a partial scholarship to pursue my career as a choreographer. Q: Did your career take then off? A: Yes. While in Philadelphia, I began dancing in an 'underage' club and started meeting other dancers and choreographers. Through those relationships, I began touring and seeing the world. I have danced for artists such as Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Lil' Moe, Christopher Williams, SWV, Boyz II Men, G. Love and Special Sauce and Queen Pen. The two highlights of my career thus far were dancing in Michael Jackson's 'Jam' video and choreographing Will Smith's music video 'Freakin' It,' which was recorded at a 76ers game. Q: Did you also perform for the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team? A: I was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team for four years, guest choreographer for two years, and along with my partner Renee DeJohn, we became the choreographers for the entire team. She and I, along with Pat Croce, helped put the team back on the map. Q: After being involved in all that, how did you find time to become a Nitro Girl? A: Stacy Keibler [Ms. Hancock] and I were finalists in WCW's Philadelphia Nitro Girl search [in fall 1999]. She went on to Indianapolis to win the entire contest, and I was called upon to join the girls in January [2000]. Q: Were you a wrestling fan growing up? If so, who were some of your favorite wrestlers? A: I wasn't a true wrestling fan, but I'd watch Andre The Giant, 'Mean' Gene [Okerlund], Jimmy Hart and Hulk Hogan every Saturday. Q: Discuss the backstage atmosphere of WCW. What is your attitude, and the attitude of the rest of the girls, like? Has the uneasiness of the pending sale of WCW caused a lot of stress? A: The atmosphere is not bad, but I haven't had the opportunity to look around. We have a 45-minute rehearsal about one hour after we arrive. Then, we literally run to makeup and run to wardrobe to get dressed and perform. My attitude is this: I come to work on time, I do what's required of me and hen some, and maintain my health and strength. Anything else I consider added stress. I could be wrong, but I believe the wrestlers have the same mentality. Some people have a 9-to-5, on the clock job. We just happen to have a 2-to-lO p.m. job with travel benefits. Q: Whatwould you be if you weren't a dancer? A: A pediatrician. Q: Why? A: It's a beautiful skill to help save and introduce life. Q: In your profile of wcw.com, Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith-Joyner and choreographer Debbie Allen are listed as your role models. Why them? A: These two women had a dream and a goal in life. They knew what they wanted and reached beyond the stars. These two women were true descendants of great queens who ruled their own destinies. God rest the soul of 'Flo-Jo,' but even after death her legacy continues. With her competitive eyes and warm smile, she gave a piece of herself to all of us. For that, I will always be grateful. Debbie Allen's choreography is mesmerizing. Her work in very unpredictable. From the Tony awards to the MTV awards to Broadway musicals and plays, she is everywhere. You never know it's her until the credits roll. She is a true diva! Q: Because you are somewhat is the public eye, do you think you have a responsibility to be a role model? A: Whether they are young or old, white or black, people are always watching you. WIth that comes being a professional, which is what I try to be at all times. On stage I turn into a different person, just to give the crowd what they want. However, I always carry myselfas a woman and a professional. If you're going to mimic someone, mimic the good attributes! Q: Do you believe professional wrestling suffers from a lack of African-American superstars? A: It's not that there's a lack of black superstars, it is more of a lack of promotion. WCW has minority talent, no question about it. However, I believe we as a company should look to target each demographic to broaden our fan base. We have a minority comissionor in The Cat, a champion in Booker T and commentator in Stevie Ray. We also have excellent valets in Miss Jones, Paisley and Tygress. Now, let's get these wrestlers and women on posters, in parades and on television shows. Because what it boils down to is this: If you're good, people will love you. If you have a good gimmick that fans can relate to, they will love you. But most of all, if you are a good entertainer, you will be loved. You have to take a chance on all the talent that enters the company. If you don't limit yourself to one circle or group of people, you will see positive results. Q: Is there any truth to the rumors that there is a turoil within the Nitro Girls and that the performers don't get along? Here is your chance to see the record straight. A: There in no record to be set. All the present Nitro Girls have very good relationships. We respect each other's characters, and we learn from one another. We have to create a positive energy on the stage every night we perform in order to give the fans what they want, so why make it difficult? You work, and you go home. No drama! Q: What do you want to be remembered for most as a dancer and as a person? A: As a dancer, it will be important for me to be remembered for my choreography and my performance quality. As a person, I want my love and dedication to my family and the appreciation of life and good morals to be remembered the most.