April Jeanette Mendez, often known by her WWE stage name AJ Lee, was born in Union City, New Jersey, on March 19, 1987. She is of Puerto Rican descent and may be of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
Key Takeaways
- Given that over 99% of Puerto Ricans identify as Latino, AJ Mendez may likewise be of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
- Of the three children, she is the youngest. Mendez talked about her upbringing and how her family dealt with mental health issues, substance abuse, and poverty.
AJ Mendez, better known as AJ Lee, is a former WWE performer, author, and screenwriter most known for her time in the WWE, which began in 2009.
She set three records in the Divas Championship and held the title for an unprecedented total of 406 days in the years that followed.
In addition, she was named Woman of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers from 2012 to 2014, and she received the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in both 2012 and 2014. She retired from ring performance in 2015.
She remains well-known today for her innate wrestling abilities and capabilities despite her exit from the WWE.
It has been rumored recently that AJ Mendez’s long-awaited comeback to the ring is now possible, according to WWE.
People’s curiosity about the early life, ethnicity, and history of former WWE diva Mendez has grown in response to recent headlines.
AJ Mendez is of Puerto Rican-American Ethnicity
Although AJ Mendez is an American citizen, her Puerto Rican heritage places her within the Puerto Rican-American ethnic group, embracing both her American nationality and Puerto Rican roots.
Since more than 99% of Puerto Ricans identify as Latino, it’s likely that Mendez also identifies as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting her cultural background.
Puerto Ricans reflect a rich blend of Indigenous TaÃno, African, and European heritages, resulting in a diverse range of ethnic identities. As a result, individuals of Puerto Rican descent may identify with various ethnic backgrounds.
However, AJ has not publicly disclosed her specific ethnic background, making it unclear exactly which heritage she aligns with. Given her Puerto Rican roots, it’s generally assumed she identifies with Puerto Rican ethnicity.
Her Brother’s Interest In WWE Influenced Her To Become A Professional Wrestler
AJ Mendez was born on March 19, 1987, in Union City, New Jersey. Her father, Robert Mendez, worked as an automotive engineer, while her mother, Janet Acevedo, initially a homemaker, later became a home health aide.
The youngest of three siblings, Mendez has spoken openly about the struggles her family faced, including mental health challenges, substance abuse, and poverty.
At times, they lived in their car or stayed in motels when they couldn’t afford rent, frequently moving between apartments.
Her passion for professional wrestling was sparked by her brother’s love for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Inspired by WWE’s female wrestlers, particularly Lita, Mendez decided at age 12 that she wanted to pursue a career in wrestling.
In 2005, she graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, New Jersey. She went on to attend New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in film and television production.
However, due to financial and family difficulties, she left the program after six months. Determined to follow her wrestling dreams, Mendez took a full-time job to pay for wrestling training.
In tribute to her brother, who served in the U.S. Army, she occasionally adopted a camouflage-themed persona in the ring.
Mendez began her wrestling career on the New Jersey independent circuit under the ring name Miss April in late 2007.
She signed with WWE in 2009, launching her into the spotlight and setting the stage for her rise in the industry.
At around age 20, Mendez was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition her mother also battled.
Previously, she had been misdiagnosed with depression, leading her to take excessive amounts of antidepressants and painkillers, which she now considers a suicide attempt.
This pivotal experience drove her to seek a proper diagnosis and treatment. Mendez credits her illness for giving her the resilience and strength to achieve her dreams.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- AJ Mendez is 37 years old.
- Mendez married fellow professional wrestler Phil Brooks, aka CM Punk, on June 13, 2014.
- She enjoys comic books, anime, and video games and considers herself a tomboy.
