Leilani Tominiko
Born1994 or 1995 (age 28–29)
Samoa
Occupation
  • Professional Wrestler

Leilani Tominiko (also known by her wrestling name, Candy Lee) is a Samoan-New Zealand wrestler. She is the first openly transgender professional wrestler in Aotearoa New Zealand.[1]

Biography

Tominiko was born in Samoa, and relocated to Auckland, New Zealand with her family when she was five.[2] She has seven brothers and one sister.[3] The family was raised in West Auckland, attending Liston College and later transferring to Kelston Girls' College.[3] Tominiko was bullied by her peers as a child. She noted that this bullying led her to watch WWE's Royal Rumble on television as a form of escapism.[4][2] This sparked a passion for wrestling that shaped her career.

Tominiko left school in Year 12, taking additional courses and working in a jewellery shop. She reached out to a manager, asking about entering the wrestling industry, and had her first match arranged in 2016.[2] Known in the wrestling industry as Candy Lee, Tominiko has two signature moves: the Gobstopper and the Candy Crush. The Candy Crush is her most well-known move, and involves slamming the competitor onto the ground.[3][1] Her wrestling name was partially inspired by renowned American wrestler Candice Michelle. Tominiko also cites Kelly Kelly and Nikki Bella as inspirational wrestlers.[5] Tominiko has won various awards within the wrestling industry such as the Women's Armageddon Cup, and was named the PWE Women's Champion, Maniacs New Zealand Professional Wrestling Women's Champion and the IPW NZ Women's Champion.[5][6]

Tominiko identifies as fa'afafine and transgender.[3] She was also vegan, as of 2018.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "NZ's first pro transgender wrestler". NZ Herald. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Casey, Alex (7 April 2019). "How Candy Lee is candy crushing the wrestling world". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 McEvoy, Matt (2022). 30 Queer Lives: Conversations with LGBTQIA+ New Zealanders. Massey University Press. pp. 31–38.
  4. ↑ "Watch: Transitioning from bullied kid to wrestling champ". RNZ. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Native Affairs - Wrestlemania Kiwi Style". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Interview: Candy Lee Is All Sweet Everything". Daily DDT. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
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