By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis said on the Pain Clinic radio show this weekend that she believes many WWE wrestlers and Divas are afraid to show off their non-wrestling artistic side for fear that WWE will think they aren't dedicated or committed to WWE.

"There's a lot of people that keep all those things to themselves because they're afraid that if they show too much of that, WWE is going to think they're not serious," Maria said. "A lot of people hide things they know how to do. They're afraid if they show that, they'll be released, like I was. I started to show my other side and I'm trying to get into more acting and more movie roles. I started to push back and when I pushed back, they just pushed away and that was the end of it. But, that's okay. It's a good thing."

Maria, who was on the show promoting her new album coming out on iTunes tomorrow, also talked about her WWE release and her new backstage announcing role for MMA programming on HDNet.

"I'm happy for the release. I'm unhappy with how it happened," she said regarding WWE immediately posting news of her release on their website. Regarding her next project for HDNet, she said she will be doing a "bunch of other stuff with HDNet."

"I have a lot of irons in the fire right now," Maria said. "I'm excited about getting on tour with my music and I think it's a blessing in disguise that WWE released me. It gives me an opportunity to do a lot of other things."

Regarding her current appearance on "Celebrity Apprentice," Maria said they haven't filmed the final episode of the series yet and she coyly said she hopes to be in the final episode. "Pain Clinic" host Rich Jones suggested she could join TNA or Ring of Honor right after potentially winning the show.

"Well, I can't say too much about that," Maria said with a laugh.

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