Ledger Pop Journal - Celebrity News & Sports

Laila Ali's move into new career territory has surprised even the boxing champ herself. "The plan was just to take some time off boxing and move into some fitness/wellness type stuff. Then 'Dancing With the Stars' came along, and at first I said 'No,'" she recalls. She reconsidered based on the idea of being able to "show a different side of myself that I knew was there -- to take myself out of the box of being a female fighter."

Dancing With The Stars Opened Up New World For Laila Ali (Image: Wenn)

The "Dancing," stint, it turns out, opened up a new world of opportunities, including her contributing gig on CBS's "The Early Show," her NBC "American Gladiators" cohosting job with Hulk Hogan -- and her role as host and unofficial godmother on the kid makeover reality show "The N's Student Body," debuting July 11 on Nickelodeon's teen-centric The N channel.


"It's kind of like the kids' version of 'The Biggest Loser,' with kids losing weight and getting in shape -- and also changing their attitudes, dealing with personal issues and stuff, while their communities and families come together. A lot of these kids don't know how to take care of themselves. They learn to love themselves and gain confidence." While she mentored the girls, "My husband was able to come in and impart wisdom to the boys," she adds, referring to her mate, former NFL wide receiver Curtis Conway.

Is she good with kids? "I can fake it 'til I make it, but my husband is excellent. He can take 10 kids to the movies by himself." We love that. "I love it, too, so I don't have to be the one," says Laila, who's expecting her and Curtis' son in September.


She realizes that with motherhood may come still more new avenues for her professional life. "That's what we do as women, keep adding to our abilities as we go through life. I don't really think too much of it; that's the natural order of things. Women everywhere wear a lot of different hats," she says. "It's just that when you're in the spotlight, everyone goes for the ride with you."