Leilani Tominiko (born 30 August 1995) is a Samoan-New Zealander professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Candy Lee. She is the first openly transgender professional wrestler in New Zealand.[1] She is a former IPW NZ Women's Champion and Maniacs United New Zealand Professional Wrestling Women's Champion.
Leilani Tominiko | |
---|---|
Born | Samoa | 30 August 1995
Occupation |
|
Tominiko was born in Samoa, and relocated to Auckland, New Zealand with her family when she was five years old.[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 has noted that this bullying led her to watch WWE's Royal Rumble on television as a form of escapism.[4][2]
In 2016, Tominiko made her professional wrestling debut with Impact Pro Wrestling, where she would go on to become a three-time IPW NZ Women's Champion and one-time Armageddon Cup winner.[5][6] Tominiko also wrestled for promotions such as Shimmer Women Athletes, Rise Wrestling, and Melbourne City Wrestling.[7][8]
Tominiko identifies as fa'afafine and transgender.[3] She is also vegan, as of 2018.[6]