Shelley Beattie paved the way for all of the female bodybuilders of today. She was a hero to me. The world of women’s bodybuilding is mourning the loss of Shelley Beattie, one of the top female pros of the 1990s. Shelley died on February 16, 2008, in Salem, Oregon. She was just 39 years-old.

Shelley, who was partially deaf, was probably best known as “Siren” on American Gladiators in the 1990s. I cannot belive that this beautiful person took her own life. Tragic end for a wonderful woman and amazing athlete. We love you Shelley.

John Romano, Shelley’s ex-husband, says she embodied “the last of the Cory era”. Shelley was also known for her spectacular posing routines, even though she had difficulty hearing her posing music.

Shelley's gallery click here.

American Gladiator "Siren" photo gallery click

SIREN SAYS
By John Romano

Where do bodybuilders go when they don't bodybuild anymore? Why do they quit? Who knows? We hardly ever see them after they do; most just kind of fade away. Few, though, persevere and end up doing something special. This is an interview with one such former bodybuilder. 

  Shelley Beattie hasn't stepped on a bodybuilding stage since 1993. Since then she has parlayed her athletic ability into a small fortune as "Siren" on the popular TV show The American Gladiators. During all of 1995, Shelley was a crew member of America Cubed--the first female team in 143 years to chase sailing's most prestigious prize--the Americas Cup. She has maintained an endorsement relationship with TWINLAB; done TV shows, movies, commercials, public service announcements, speaking engagements, and charity work.

For her, bodybuilding as a stepping stone is a drastic understatement. Versatile, courageous, sexy, strong, outspoken--a true role model in a world where there are few, Shelley and her indomitable spirit are something which bodybuilding should be eternally proud to call its own.

JR: Shelley, you were at your best in 1992 when you took third in the Ms. Olympia. Subsequent seventh and ninth placings at the Ms. International and the Ms. Olympia, respectively, seem to have been a turning point for you. Do you also think it was a turning point for bodybuilding?

SB: Nothing against Laura and Lenda, but, yes, I do. If I had won the O in '92, a much different standard would have been set. I had a much different physique than everybody else. I even heard comments like "they didn't know what to do with me." Getting third was definitely a complement to me, to how I trained... naturally. My beliefs in bodybuilding are very free, but, (sigh) it only lasted that one show. It kind of did a 180 the other way, and that's where things are right now.

JR: I assume you're talking about rampant drug use and what it's done to the girls, but you openly admitted to using drugs to turn pro in 1990.

SB: Sure.

JR: Okay, and since then you haven't used drugs. You certainly didn't use them when I worked with you...

SB: No way.

JR: For the naysayers, the proof of that is of course the fact that you were drug-tested, repeatedly. Certainly not by the IFBB, but by virtue of your employment by the American Gladiators.

SB: And the kids' show, G2000, we were drug-tested for that too.

JR: So, even though the IFBB failed to uphold its responsibility, a higher power did, and you were in fact drug free for the entire duration of your pro career. How do you feel about that--knowing that out of all the competitors out there, and taking into consideration the state of the sport right now, knowing that you were abiding by the rules--you were following the rules to the letter--you were drug-free, you were third in the world--don't you think that by virtue of all that bodybuilding could have taken a stand right then and there?

SB: Hell yeah! I think about that but I can't let it bog my head. You know, it's... bodybuilding was everything to me, it just totally consumed me in every way. And when you get way up there, and I was doing everything right, doing what I believed was right, and feeling very confidant--probably more confidant than I've ever felt about any goals that I've ever accomplished, and then getting a slap in the face...

JR: What was the slap in the face?

SB: The slap in the face was continuing to compete, but getting worse and worse placings until I was nothing again--I couldn't compete with those big girls. They were getting bigger and bigger all around me, and I was just staying the same or getting leaner. That wasn't going to cut it.

JR: So, you think at that point, from the time you took third in the O in '92 to today, the physiques have degenerated?

SB: Well, everyone definitely has a more androgenic look, which is obvious, but I can't point fingers because I don't really know who's "on" and who's not--it's not something women talk about in the sport. The men might, but the women don't--they deny it even though it's so obvious.

JR: Why do you think that is?

SB: Shame. Women have a big conscience when it comes to things like turning themselves ugly, especially when it's not their prime directive--they're always defending themselves. Looking the way we have looked, no matter what, people are going to say that we took drugs, period. It's very difficult for people who are into bodybuilding and don't take drugs to try and teach their philosophy to those who are ignorant.

JR: Do you think there is a way out of it?

SB: Yeah! The message ALL NATURAL MD is sending about a drug-free revolution can only get the positive feedback bodybuilding deserves. There are a lot of skeptics; they are probably the ones who like the sport just the way it is.

JR: At the point you placed third in the Ms. Olympia, you were hopefully looked upon as a bright new prospect for the future of the sport. Were you ever given any advice by any of the IFBB officials in terms of what you'd have to do in order to do better and perhaps be Ms. Olympia?

SB: Interesting question. Yeah, when I was in Germany at the FIBO after my first Olympia in '91, I got a comment by two of the head people in the IFBB. I was signing autographs with the Weider pros, and these two men told me I was the ideal physique--that I had that Cory physique--that everything that I embody is perfect for the Ms. Olympia role, except I wasn't big enough. Not big enough. They said they really liked me when I won the USA--that's the kind of look they'd like to see from me again. And I said, but I was on drugs. They said, "Shelley, you know, you're going to have to take something." And that was the end of that conversation. I walked away with my mouth to the floor. I could not believe that was from the people who judged me.

JR: You mean the people who judged you suggested that you take drugs in order to place better?

SB: Suggested--definitely. It was very powerful and very strong--I'll never forget it. It affected my thinking after that--not in any way, shape or form did it drive me to temptation. Absolutely not. It just made me more angry about how the sport was running.

JR: Do you think your association with TWINLAB has had any adverse affect on your placing?

SB: I'd really hate to think so. That's just so... so immature (ha ha), that's ludicrous... that's ridiculous. I think Weider does hold a grudge, though--I had a problem with one of his photographers, and when it was time to renew we had a better offer. I didn't feel good being under their wing anyway, and not getting anywhere. So who knows? It doesn't matter anyway, being with TWINLAB has more than made up for it. They treat me so well, they believe in what I believe, the whole magazine has changed because the people that work to make it happen have this belief--I am so much better off today, and surrounded by so much better people because I didn't cave in. I may not be Ms. Olympia, but I'm very happy about how I look and what I represent.

Shelley's stats click here