The wrestling world was taken by surprise when Samantha Irvin, one of WWE’s most beloved ring announcers, announced her departure from the company. With WWE’s blessing, Irvin decided to pursue new creative paths in acting and music, fields she’s been passionate about for years.

Now, her first gig post-WWE has been revealed. Irvin is set to appear in Churchy, a comedy series created by comedian Kevin Fredericks, who also stars in the show.

Fredericks recently shared the exciting news on social media, posting a photo of himself and Irvin on set. “Got to work with an up-and-coming actress and musician,” he wrote. “Y’all should keep an eye out for her. Her future is BRIGHT.”

When a fan asked if Irvin would help promote his tour on Cameo, Fredericks playfully responded, “Lol, she’s in Churchy. That’s good enough for me.” He later shared more pictures of the two on set, praising Irvin’s performance: “She absolutely KILLED her scenes.”

Got to work with an up and coming actress and musician. You all should keep an eye out for her. Her future is BRIGHT. @SamanthaTheBomb pic.twitter.com/BfkfV4Iv9R

— Kevín (@KevOnStage) November 22, 2024

A Talented Journey to the Spotlight

While Irvin is best known for her time in WWE, she’s no stranger to the spotlight. Before wrestling, she carved out a name for herself as a singer and actress.

As a teenager, Irvin auditioned twice for American Idol and later competed on America’s Got Talent in 2015, making it to the semi-finals under her real name, Samantha Johnson. Between 2011 and 2015, she was the lead vocalist in a Michael Jackson tribute show and also performed as Betty Rizzo in a 2016 production of Grease. That same year, she released her EP, 27Underground.

In 2020, Irvin moved to Las Vegas, where she joined the cast of Vegas! The Show, showcasing her vocal talents as Gladys Knight and Tina Turner.

Her journey into professional wrestling began when WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry introduced her to the industry. Although her audition to become a wrestler didn’t pan out, WWE saw her potential and hired her as a ring announcer for 205 Live. Irvin quickly rose through the ranks, eventually landing on WWE SmackDown in January 2022, where she became a fan favorite.

Known for the raw emotion in her announcements, Irvin’s introductions for stars like Chelsea Green, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes became iconic moments. Fans also loved how invested she was during matches, often reacting passionately to the action in the ring.

A Bright Future

Samantha Irvin’s talent and charisma have always set her apart, and her role in Churchy feels like the next natural step in her blossoming career. While her time in WWE will always be remembered fondly, it’s clear she’s ready to take on new challenges in entertainment.

Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of even bigger opportunities for this multi-talented performer.