NBC.com

< Previous

Next >

In the just released feature film "The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down," she plays "Brittany," "the girl on the go in the 310." In the award-winning horror flick "Wrestlemaniac," she plays "Dallas," the tough Texan who is ultimately the last one standing. In WWE's Raw Diva Search contest, she just missed winning the top spot by a few votes. So, as an in-demand film actress and television personality, how do you top those gigs? Leyla Milani was "appointed" number 13.

It was a random luck of the draw, so now, as Deal or No Deal's "Lucky Thirteen," or "Lucky Leyla" as she's often referred to, Leyla Milani has charmed television viewers and fans from all over the country with her infectious smile and smooth, soothing style.

Leyla is a talented actress, model, host, fashion designer and a well rounded "Jack-of-all-trades." Currently Leyla can be seen on two national television commercials—A WWE Raw Fan-nation spot airing on USA networks and a Budweiser Beer spot as "Monday."

She's appeared on several hit television shows including NBC's "Las Vegas", "Las Comic Standing", CW's "All of Us", Fox's "Stacked", "Desire", CMT's reality show "Popularity Contest," (Her only comment on the show – "Those people sure ate a lot of red meat"), TNT's drama, "Wanted," Larry David's HBO smash, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and Showtime's "Sleeper Cell", just to name a few.

She has hosted FUEL TV'S popular motorsport show, M80, Fox Sport Net's "Celebrity Golf Tournament" as well as the new political variety show, "The 1/2 Hour News Hour" on Fox News. She is the NEW spokes model for "Clientele" skin care line (http://www.clientele.org/), and the premier cover girl for a brand new national glossy publication, Coexistence Magazine which hits news stands everywhere in September 2007.

And, later in the year, Leyla can be seen on Mountaindew.com in a brand new Webisode series entitled, "Cyberpux" where she plays a bad "cyber" cop. But in addition to the smash hit that is DEAL or NO DEAL, most of her newly cultivated legions of fans now recognize Leyla as the WWE's (World Wrestling Entertainment) RAW DIVA SEARCH 2005 finalist and runner-up. Selected from 8,000 applicants, for 8 consecutive weeks, Leyla made her way through the stiff competition to become the #2 Diva. As a result of her repeated appearances on WWE and the millions of viewers watching her worldwide, Leyla's website, http://www.leylamilani.com/ receives thousands of hits daily. When she's not busy working, Leyla enjoys reading motivational quotes, useless facts, playing with "Mango"—her pet Pomeranian and gambling—maybe a little too much; Black Jack and Roulette being her specialty.

Leyla's Lucky 13 aura is a continuation of her optimistic lifestyle and outlook. In fact, Leyla always knew she had good fortune. "Ever since I was one year old, I have been posing for the camera," says the Canadian siren. But back then, hanging out with the guys, playing every sport under the sun and constantly entertaining everybody who would watch or listen was Leyla's life. Local fame came early with Leyla hosting a local cable after-school television show at the age of just 12. With a flurry of local modeling gigs and runway appearances, she was an already in-demand face very early on.

Post High School found the family moving from Toronto to Hollywood… which for Leyla, was exactly where she wanted to be. What better place to chase my dreams," she remembers. "I'm a very creative person, so LA was the perfect location for me to explore the acting, modeling and fashion design aspirations."

Her options completely open, she enrolled in Los Angeles' Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise. Amazingly, by the age of 20, "Leyla Couture Jeans" were already the talk of the industry. Another Leyla inspired line also was a hit with consumers, with the collection eventually finding its way in the mega "Forever 21" stores, nationwide. She adds, "Whether I'm acting, modeling or running my fashion business, ultimately my goal is to blend all of these activities into my life. I have to be busy doing several things or I'm just not happy."

With a new non-stop schedule and constant will to reach new heights, Leyla remains in constant motion. With new feature film roles in the works, Leyla continues to strive to accomplish her career goals as a sought-after host, model, actor and noted fashion designer. With her manta, "Knowledge is Power," she's as relentless and talented as she is beautiful, and even though she's NUMBER 13 - she's lucky 13... so, don't bet against her.

Questionnaire

1. Are there particular qualities you like in a contestant?
It's always fun when the contestant is overwhelmingly excited to be on the show. The more energy they have, the less we think about our aching feet and in turn everyone has fun. There's no such thing as having too much fun on D.O.N.D. The bigger, louder, wilder--the better! That's what I say, at least.

2. Do you have a favorite contestant, and who was it?
One of my favorite contestants was, Dimitra Apostolopoulos, a young Greek girl with a really long last name. She was really superstitious and of course feared my case. Throughout the game, she would keep mentioning her fear of me and so she kept me on till the very end. She finally decided to face her fear and pick her last case...she chose case #13. The pressure was on and I was really nervous for her. So, I asked her to let me borrow the "lucky beads" she was holding throughout the game. I rubbed it on my case for good luck and ended up having the penny. She was so astonished. I hope I helped make #13 a positive number for her from now on.

3. How tough is it to stand in place for the entire taping?
Is there something like martial arts training for long-term smiling?

I wish there was. I always feel like a robot when I'm smiling for too long. It's like it’s frozen on my face or something. Actually, I just stand there and think about soft cushy slippers and chocolate. That always makes me smile.

4. What was your most embarrassing moment on the show?
Luckily I haven't fallen during the model march--knock on wood! I don't know if I've had an embarrassing moment...let's keep it that way!

5. What would you like to be doing next in your career?
While opening briefcases has become my specialty, I am very active in pursuing a hosting and acting career. I will also soon be going back to my roots as a fashion designer. Stay tuned for that!

6. What do you like doing most with your free time?
It's no secret that I am a self-proclaimed gambler. My games being Black Jack and Roulette. I believe I have found a strategy to roulette. I'll be keeping that to myself for now or maybe write a book about it one of these days. But when I'm not at the casino, I enjoy quite times which include informational reading, watching a good movie and relaxing at the spa.

7. What one person, besides your parents, has had the most influence on your life? Why?
I know the question asks anyone "besides" your parents but I'm going to say my father. I say this because he was absent for majority of my life. However, his absence is what has influenced my life tremendously. It has taught me inner strength; self worth, independence, optimism, and what it means to be truly happy and grateful for all that I do have in my life. I've learned it doesn't matter where you come from or what you've been through as long as you know where you're headed.

8. Where are you from originally? (If not from Los Angeles) What brought you to Los Angeles?
It was really a matter of fate. I am originally from Toronto, Canada. About 6 years ago, my mother, a Registered Nurse, got a job offer in LA and at the same time, I was accepted to The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)--also in LA. It was absolutely perfect timing and we moved right away.

9. What has been a particularly memorable experience in your life, something that really stood out?
When I competed in the 2005 WWE RAW Diva Search. It was especially memorable because it was the first time, aside from competitive sports in school that I had ever been in a competition or contest for that matter and to have finished in 2nd place out of 8000 girls was really just something else.

10. Now for the important questions: what was your favorite television show when you were ten?
Hmmm...I was a pretty big Inspector Gadget fan..but come on, "Bobby's World"...hands down!