Barbie Blank was once a full-time bikini model for Venus Swimwear until she signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment in the spring of 2006. John Laurinaitis saw her in a bikini catalog and contacted her modeling agency in regards to hiring her and Victoria Crawford. Barbie signed with WWE after her agent advised her to. Soon after, she reported to Ohio Valley Wrestling for training. Barbie debuted as Kelly on the June 13, 2006 edition of ECW - she did a strip dance to the crowd.