Kaitlyn’s real name is Celeste Beryl Bonin. She was born on October 7, 1986, in Houston, Texas, United States.
She has one sister and has stated in interviews that her family plays an important role in her life. However, she keeps most details about her family private.
Her mother is of Mexican descent. Bonin has referenced this heritage when discussing her background and personal identity.
During her youth, she was active in athletics. She participated in track and field and began strength training as a teenager. She has credited a female track coach, who was also a fitness competitor, as a key mentor. That influence contributed to her decision to pursue bodybuilding and fitness competitions shortly after high school.
No verified public information is available regarding her parents’ names, professions, or detailed family background. Any claims beyond the information above would be speculative and unsupported by confirmed public records.
Celeste Beryl Bonin, aka Kaitlyn, was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She developed an interest in strength training and bodybuilding during her teenage years. After high school, she began competing in National Physique Committee events.
In 2007, at age 20, she won the NPC John Sherman Classic Bodybuilding Figure and Fitness Championship in the Class D division. This victory established her within the regional bodybuilding circuit and led to additional appearances in fitness and figure competitions.
Following her competitive success, Bonin pursued fitness modelling. She appeared in promotional campaigns and fitness-related publications, building visibility within the industry. Her athletic build and presentation style drew the attention of World Wrestling Entertainment talent scouts.
In July 2010, at age 23, she signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, the company’s developmental territory at the time. This marked her transition from competitive bodybuilding and fitness modelling into professional wrestling.
WWE Developmental and NXT (2010)
In July 2010, Celeste Bonin signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in Tampa, Florida. At FCW, she underwent in-ring training and character development under WWE-affiliated trainers. She adopted the ring name Kaitlyn during this period.
In September 2010, Kaitlyn was announced as a contestant on Season 3 of NXT, WWE’s all-female competition format at the time. She was initially mentored by Vickie Guerrero and later aligned with Dolph Ziggler as part of the on-screen pairing. Despite limited prior wrestling experience compared to other contestants, she advanced through the competition.
On November 30, 2010, Kaitlyn defeated Naomi in the season finale to win NXT Season 3. The victory earned her recognition as the season’s “Breakout Diva” and a WWE contract on the main roster.
Main Roster Rise (2011–2012)
Following her NXT victory, Kaitlyn made her main roster debut on SmackDown in December 2010. In May 2011, she formed a tag team with AJ Lee known as the “Chickbusters.” The team competed regularly in the Divas division and was positioned as a mid-card pairing.
The partnership ended in late 2011. In November 2011, Kaitlyn entered a storyline feud with AJ Lee, marking a shift toward singles competition. Around the same period, she appeared on NXT Redemption, which had transitioned into a hybrid developmental-main roster format.
During 2012, Kaitlyn was involved in a bullying-themed storyline centred on backstage conflicts, notably involving Eve Torres. The angle positioned Kaitlyn as a sympathetic figure within the Divas division and contributed to increased television exposure ahead of her eventual championship pursuit.
Divas Championship and Peak (2013)
On January 14, 2013, during the 20th Anniversary episode of Raw, Kaitlyn defeated Eve Torres to win the WWE Divas Championship. The victory marked her first and only reign with the title. The championship win positioned her as a central figure in the Divas division during a transitional period for WWE’s women’s roster.
Kaitlyn held the title for 153 days. During her reign, she successfully defended the championship against Tamina Snuka at Elimination Chamber in February 2013. The match reinforced her presentation as a physically dominant champion, emphasising her strength-based wrestling style.
Her championship run was closely tied to a developing storyline with AJ Lee. The rivalry incorporated personal narrative elements that became a focal point of the Divas division programming in early 2013. On June 16, 2013, at Payback, Kaitlyn lost the Divas Championship to AJ Lee, ending her 153-day reign.
Departure and Hiatus (2014–2017)
Following her title loss, Kaitlyn remained involved in WWE storylines, including angles that featured AJ Lee, Big E, and Dolph Ziggler. These appearances marked her final major televised programs with the company.
On January 8, 2014, Kaitlyn announced her departure from WWE. The decision was attributed to her desire to pursue opportunities outside professional wrestling, particularly within the fitness industry. WWE subsequently confirmed her release from contract.
After leaving WWE, she shifted focus to modelling, personal training, and bodybuilding. During this period, she established herself in the fitness and wellness sector, building a brand centred on strength training and physique development. She remained away from in-ring competition for several years before later returning to wrestling.
Independent Return and Brief WWE Comebacks (2018–2019)
Kaitlyn returned to in-ring competition in February 2018 after a four-year hiatus from professional wrestling. She began appearing on the independent circuit and captured women’s championships in regional promotions, including the DPW and SFA Women’s titles. These appearances marked her first matches outside WWE and signalled a short-term competitive comeback.
In 2018, WWE announced her participation in the second Mae Young Classic tournament. She defeated Kavita Devi in the opening round. In the second round, she was eliminated by Mia Yim. The tournament marked her first WWE match since her 2014 departure.
In July 2019, she made a brief appearance during the Raw Reunion special, participating in a backstage segment featuring former WWE Superstars. The cameo did not lead to a renewed contract or extended program.
Post-WWE Career (2020–Present)
Since 2020, Kaitlyn has focused primarily on fitness coaching and digital content creation. Her professional activities include online training programs, physique coaching, and lifestyle branding. She has made occasional independent wrestling appearances but has not returned to WWE for a sustained run as of 2026.
In 2013, she was ranked No. 5 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Female 50 list, reflecting her prominence during her Divas Championship reign.
In-Ring Profile
- Signature Moves: Spear; Lotus Lock
- Primary Style: Power-based offence emphasising strength and athleticism
Personal Life
Kaitlyn, whose real name is Celeste Bonin, married fitness entrepreneur PJ Braun in 2016. The couple later divorced in 2020. During their marriage, both were active in the fitness and supplement industry.
Following her departure from WWE, Bonin has spoken publicly about the psychological pressures associated with her wrestling career, including body image expectations and performance-related stress. In subsequent interviews and online content, she has emphasised the importance of mental health, personal accountability, and long-term wellness.
Her post-WWE public messaging frequently centres on resilience, fitness as a sustainable lifestyle practice, and personal development beyond professional wrestling.
Personal Life – Pets
Celeste Beryl Bonin has publicly expressed a strong attachment to her pets, frequently referring to them as her “fur babies.” She has described her animals as part of her immediate family and an important component of her personal life outside professional wrestling.
Simon the French Bulldog
Bonin owns a French bulldog named Simon. In interviews and social media posts, she has described Simon as her “best friend” and a primary source of companionship. She has stated that Simon has provided emotional support during periods of anxiety and personal stress, particularly following her departure from WWE and during life transitions.
She has characterised spending time with him as therapeutic and has spoken about the emotional bond between a dog and its owner. Simon is frequently referenced in features and personal updates about her life beyond wrestling, where he is portrayed as a consistent source of stability and comfort.
No additional verified details regarding other pets or long-term pet history have been publicly disclosed.
Divas Championship Reign in Historical Context
Kaitlyn held the WWE Divas Championship for 153 days, from January 14, 2013, to June 16, 2013. The reign is considered mid-range within the Divas Championship lineage, which ran from 2008 until the title was retired in 2016.
Her reign occurred during a transitional period for WWE’s women’s division, prior to the 2016 rebranding that replaced the Divas Championship with the modern WWE Women’s Championship.
Women With Longer Individual Reigns
The following champions have recorded longer individual reigns within the Divas Championship lineage, the original WWE Women’s Championship lineage, or the post-2016 main roster women’s world titles:
| Champion | Title | Reign Length |
|---|---|---|
| Bianca Belair | WWE Women’s Championship (1st reign) | 420 days |
| Becky Lynch | WWE Women’s Championship | 398 days |
| Bayley | Women’s World Championship | 380 days |
| Rhea Ripley | Women’s World Championship | 380 days |
| AJ Lee | Divas Championship | 296 days |
Trish Stratus | WWE Women’s Championship (original lineage) | 448 days |
| The Fabulous Moolah | WWE Women’s Championship (original) | 10,170 days* |
*Moolah’s reign reflects the original historical record recognized by WWE. The length has been subject to historical scrutiny, but the official statistic remains in WWE’s lineage records.
Additional wrestlers who exceed Kaitlyn’s 153-day mark include:
- Asuka – 510 combined days as champion (multiple main roster women’s title reigns)
- Iyo Sky – 246 days as WWE Women’s Champion
- Sherri Martel – 440 days as Women’s Champion (original lineage)
More than 20 women across WWE’s various women’s championship lineages have surpassed 153 days in a single reign. Kaitlyn’s reign does not rank among the top 25 longest in company history.
Historical Positioning
While not among the longest in WWE history, Kaitlyn’s 153-day reign was significant within the Divas era. It represented one of the more stable mid-length runs of that period and occurred during a time when championship changes were relatively frequent.
Her reign is primarily remembered for its storyline rivalry with AJ Lee and for taking place shortly before the broader structural shift that led to the Women’s Evolution era beginning in 2015–2016.