First, she was a dancer for the Miami Heat. Next, Layla El will be shaking her thang for Smackdown! audiences across the world.

It's been a wild summer indeed for the Aventura, who won a one-year contract and $250,000 to become the latest WWE Diva. The Miami Herald recently talked with the overwhelmed hottie.

The competition was based on fan voting and support. Layla El said the passionate following in her hometown gave her the ambition to continue.

''The fans in Miami are amazing,'' said El, a native of London, who moved to South Florida three years ago. "I know I did have support in other cities in New York, Tennessee, Minnesota, but definitely South Florida was a big factor in it.''

The WWE Diva Search not only attracted the pro wrestling aficionados, but non-fans as well.

''I don't even like wrestling,'' said Chris Hobbs, a Miami Heat fan, who by chance caught her on television flipping through the channels one night. "However, I love Layla.''

That's the exact goal the WWE was going for when he began the contest. Since the announcement was made before millions of people on August 16, it's been a whirlwind of activity for Layla. She was featured in publications such as Sports Illustrated and made various public appearances throughout the country.

''Life has changed because I'm busy,'' said El, who a few weeks ago began her life on the road as a diva on WWE's Friday night SmackDown!.

"I'm traveling a lot. I'm hardly ever home. I really haven't gotten a chance to sit back and focus.''

El is beginning her training in the ring by spending time with fellow divas, including 2005 Diva Search winner Ashley Massaro, Jillian Hall and Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman.