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{{short description|Ring announcer and singer (born 1966)}}
]
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
'''Lilian Garcia''' (born ], ] in ]) is a ], who also works as a ring announcer and ] for ] on its ] brand.
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Lilian Garcia
|image = Lilian Garcia WWE Hall of Fame April 2018.jpg
|caption = Garcia in 2018
|spouse = {{marriage|Christopher Jozeph<ref name="Fox News">{{cite web|title=WWE Announcer Struck by Car, Hospitalized|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/wwe-announcer-struck-by-car-hospitalized|publisher=Fox News|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207071206/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/wwe-announcer-struck-by-car-hospitalized|url-status=live}}</ref>|September 28, 2009 | 2022 | reason=div.}}<ref name=divorce>{{cite web|title=LILIAN GARCIA VS CHRISTOPHER ISANSKI|url=https://unicourt.com/case/ca-ora-lilian-garcia-vs-christopher-isanski-1191606|publisher=UniCourt|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930122454/https://unicourt.com/case/ca-ora-lilian-garcia-vs-christopher-isanski-1191606|url-status=live}}</ref>
|alma_mater = ]
|names = '''Lilian Garcia'''<ref name="OWOW"/>
|birth_name = Lilián Annette Garcia
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|8|19|mf=y}}
|birth_place = ], U.S.
|height = {{height|ft=5|in=5}}<ref name="Lillian Garcia">{{cite web|title=Lillian Garcia|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/garcia.html|access-date=November 3, 2008|archive-date=October 19, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019095157/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/garcia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|weight = {{convert|110|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/l/lilian-garcia/|title=Lilian Garcia profile|access-date=July 3, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012094422/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/l/lilian-garcia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Lillian Garcia">{{cite web|title=Lillian Garcia|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/garcia.html|access-date=November 3, 2008|archive-date=October 19, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019095157/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/garcia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|billed = ]
|debut = August 23, 1999
|retired =
|website = {{URL|http://www.liliangarcia.com|liliangarcia.com}}
}}
'''Lilián Annette Garcia'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilián Garcia Profile at WRESTLINGDATA.COM|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=448|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702082438/http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=448|url-status=live}}</ref> (born August 19, 1966)<ref name="The Sumter Daily Item - Google">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1979&dat=19830709&id=Q48iAAAAIBAJ&pg=1435%2C1255579%2F|title=The Sumter Daily Item - Google|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207071202/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1979&dat=19830709&id=Q48iAAAAIBAJ&pg=1435%2C1255579%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American ], ], and ]. She is signed to ] as a ring announcer for the ] brand. She also announces for the ] (PFL).<ref name="pfl1">Doyle, Dave. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604152605/https://mmajunkie.com/2019/04/former-wwe-ring-announcer-lilian-garcia-signs-with-pfl |date=June 4, 2019 }}. MMAJunkie.com. April 29, 2019.</ref>


== Early life and career ==
Lilian was once a top 10 finalist in the ] contest. She used to be a video jockey in ] and once had a drive-time afternoon radio show. She graduated ] from the ], and went on to spent 8 years in ], becoming fluent in ].
García was born on August 19, 1966,<ref name="The Sumter Daily Item - Google"/> in the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia discusses her new CD, working for WWE, whether she'd ever want to step into the ring & more|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=27132&p=1|publisher=PWInsider|access-date=April 17, 2014|archive-date=April 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417131934/http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=27132&p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> At three months old she went to Spain. She then spent eight years of her life in ] due to her Puerto Rican father's employment with the ], and was educated on an American ], leading her to describe herself as a "]".<ref>{{cite web|title=12/19 WWE Raw report: Raw Express: Tribute to the Troops|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_15647.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=April 17, 2014|quote=Vince then introduced Lilian Garcia, nothing that she was an army brat herself.|archive-date=April 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417112150/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_15647.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Spain">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/liliangarcia/spainblog|title=Spain Blog|last=Garcia|first=Lilian|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224004/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/liliangarcia/spainblog|archive-date=June 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Waldman">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2005/06/02/divas-dont-all-shine-in-viva-las-divas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202085741/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2005/06/02/divas-dont-all-shine-in-viva-las-divas/ |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |title=Divas don't all shine in Viva Las Divas |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Waldman |first=Jon |date=June 2, 2005 |access-date=April 7, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=782737209229135872|user=LilianGarcia|title=This was in Puerto Rico where my dad is from! 😉🌅|date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> She is fluent in ] and ].{{Citation needed |date= June 2023}}


Upon returning to the ], Garcia graduated from ] in ]. She went on to attend the ], graduating '']''.{{Citation needed |date= June 2023}}
Lilian started ring announcing for the WWE in 1999, during the time of the brand split she was sent to RAW to be the main announcer along with long time announcer ].


García was a top-ten finalist in the ] beauty pageant.{{Citation needed |date= June 2023}} Garcia was also one-half of a popular morning show on radio station ],"]" in ], with Chuck Finley in the early '90s and later had her own drive time show.<ref name="AfterBuzz TV">{{cite web|title=AfterBuzz TV's Lilian Garcia: Making Their Way To The Ring| date=May 15, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLu5QpIpeqY|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/SLu5QpIpeqY|archive-date=December 12, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=AfterBuzz TV|access-date=May 22, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She was a ] in ] for ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia Bio|url=http://www.liliangarcia.com/bio|publisher=Lilian Garcia Official Website|access-date=May 25, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808111303/http://liliangarcia.com/bio/|url-status=live}}</ref> She also served as karaoke host at the Nitelites nightclub in the Embassy Suites Hotel in ].
She used her annoucing career to aid in her other career path, a rock singer, she released her first single, ''Shout'', in 2002, other songs of hers have appeared on WWE albums and she is the singer of ]'s theme music.


==In wrestling== == Singing career ==
García began singing when she was a child in ]. She participated in singing contests with her sister starting when she was five years old.<ref name="Medalis">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania23/exclusives/lilianallgrownup|title=Lilian Garcia, All Grown Up|author=Medalis, K.|access-date=April 7, 2007|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=March 30, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118075440/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania23/exclusives/lilianallgrownup|archive-date=January 18, 2008}}</ref> In her early teens, she sang with a band at clubs around ]. Garcia's mother chaperoned so she could sing.<ref name="AfterBuzz TV"/> She appeared in the 1990 film ''Modern Love'' as a singer.
Occaisonally Lilian has found herself involved in ].


In addition to her announcing duties with ], García sang the ] of the ] before most '']'' shows from February 14, 2000, until her departure on August 1, 2016.<ref name="Medalis"/><ref name="Wrestling Inc">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2011/0321/537670/lilian-garcia/|title=Lilian Garcia Speaks Out - The Rock's Influence, WWE|publisher=Wrestling Inc.|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=March 21, 2011|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904012344/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2011/0321/537670/lilian-garcia/|url-status=live}}</ref> She sang "]" at '']'', '']'' and '']'', joining a list of recording artists that includes ], ], ], ] and ]. With her performance at ''WrestleMania XXVIII'', she surpassed Franklin for most musical performances at ''WrestleMania''. Garcia now holds the record for most musical performances at ''WrestleMania'' with three.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/lilian-sings-america-beautiful|title=Lilian Garcia to sing "America the Beautiful" at WrestleMania XXVIII|publisher=WWE|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=March 20, 2012|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904064006/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/28/lilian-sings-america-beautiful|url-status=live}}</ref>
She once had a minor ] with ], who she defeated in an evening gown vs. tuxedo match. In June ], Lilian started a romance with ] and briefly accompanied him to the ring. She soon returned to her ring announcing only to inform Viscera that she wanted to get married at ] on ], 2005. At Vengeance, Viscera dumped Lilian in favor of ]'s Ho's after The Godfather made an appearance at the ].


After joining ], García became a fixture in professional sports with performances for the ], the ], the ] and ]. She also performed at the ], the ], '']'', '']'' and as an opening act for ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531185056/https://myspace.com/liliangarcia |date=May 31, 2016 }}.</ref>
==Profile==
*Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
*Weight: 110 lb (50 kg)


García's first single, "Shout", debuted at No. 69 on the ] in October 2002. On her reaction to the news, Garcia said in 2007, "When my single came out years ago, and it was just a single, I remember the very first week it charted No. 69, and I was screaming as I grabbed ''Billboard'', running down the streets of ], holding it up and screaming, 'I made ''Billboard''! I made ''Billboard''!' I'm dreaming for that moment again."<ref name="quiero">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/quierovivironsale|title=¡Quiero Vivir!' on sale today|author=Medalis, K.|access-date=March 31, 2011|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=October 9, 2007|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103035637/http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/quierovivironsale|url-status=live}}</ref>
==External Links==
*
*


Garcia recorded ]'s entrance theme, "Need A Little Time", for '']'', a ] WWE released in November 2002. She co-wrote "You Just Don't Know Me At All" with producers Doug Kistner and Anthony Krizan, which WWE released in January 2004 on the '']'' album and became her entrance theme.<ref name="originals">{{cite web|url=http://www.liliangarcia.com/articles_lilianinterviewone.php|title=Lilian Garcia Interview 2004|author=Perry, C.|access-date=March 31, 2011|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215222729/http://www.liliangarcia.com/articles_lilianinterviewone.php|archive-date=February 15, 2011}}</ref>
]

]
García began work on a solo album in 2005 with ] award-winning record producers ] and ], who worked with ] artists such as ], ] and ]. Her album ''¡Quiero Vivir!'', which is Spanish for "I Want to Live!," got released on October 9, 2007, via Universal Music Latino. Garcia co-wrote 11 songs on the album, including three with ], who she duets with on "Adonde". The album features 10 Spanish language tracks, and two English translations; "Under in Love" ("Desenamorada") and "Where Did Love Go?" ("Adonde").<ref name="track">{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7514540|title=Lillian Garcia – Quiero Vivir! CD|access-date=April 7, 2007|publisher=CD Universe|archive-date=January 18, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118225938/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7514540|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/divas/divadish/divadish1005|title=Diva Dish: Lilian's big week|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 28, 2007|archive-date=October 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014005729/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/divas/divadish/divadish1005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Williams III">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/lilianandsecada|title=Lilian Garcia records duet with Jon Secada|last=Williams III|first=Ed|access-date=April 7, 2007|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 13, 2006|archive-date=May 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527052427/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/lilianandsecada|url-status=live}}</ref> The title track, "¡Quiero Vivir!", became her entrance theme.
]

]
After leaving WWE in August 2016, García began work on a follow-up album. She reunited with Noriega and Mitchell to record the first song in ] in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/07/2101616/former-wwe-announcer-garcia-ready.html|title=Former WWE announcer Garcia ready to make music again|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=March 7, 2011}}</ref> Garcia also recorded tracks with Grammy-nominated producer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sescoops.com/wrestling-news/wwe/randy-orton-discusses-upcoming-film-lilian-garcia-news-more/|title=Orton Talks New Movie (Video), Lilian Garcia News, More|publisher=SEScoops|access-date=March 31, 2011|date=March 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929160722/http://www.sescoops.com/wrestling-news/wwe/randy-orton-discusses-upcoming-film-lilian-garcia-news-more/|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> On August 17, 2012, Garcia released an ] titled ''My Time''. The EP features six English tracks: "U Drive Me Loca", "Ur Girl (til the end of the world)", "Fix You", "Over & Over", "Tell Me", and "My Time."<ref name="My Time - EP Lilian Garcia">{{cite web|title=My Time - EP Lilian Garcia|date=August 17, 2012|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-time-ep/id553980031|publisher=]|access-date=September 7, 2015|archive-date=July 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703192731/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-time-ep/id553980031|url-status=live}}</ref> To promote the release of ''My Time'', Garcia made her music video debut in December 2011 with "U Drive Me Loca."<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia "U Drive Me Loca" Official HD Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuZtBDyG4Ng|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/yuZtBDyG4Ng|archive-date=December 12, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=December 15, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The second song off the album, "Ur Girl ('Til the End of the World)", was her entrance theme during her return to WWE.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia's Entrance at Monday Night Raw|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Isut-yvvWE|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/7Isut-yvvWE|archive-date=December 12, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=September 11, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She released a music video for the track in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia "Ur Girl (til the end of the world)" Official Music Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ0LmHmJpKA|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/bZ0LmHmJpKA|archive-date=December 12, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=March 2, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In January 2013, Garcia released a music video for "Over & Over".<ref>{{cite web|title=Over & Over (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcRqx8DRuoU|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/LcRqx8DRuoU|archive-date=December 12, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=]|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=January 30, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
]

]
Garcia appeared at the ] on February 13, 2011, at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2011/0213/536478/lilian-garcia/|title=Terry Funk Returns To WWE + Lillian At The Grammys|publisher=Wrestling Inc|access-date=March 31, 2011|date=February 13, 2011|archive-date=April 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420221132/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2011/0213/536478/lilian-garcia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her appearance on the red carpet got shown the following night on '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rajah.com/base/node/21822|title=Lilian Garcia Returns To Television, WrestleMania Ticket Sales, The Death Of ECW|publisher=Rajah|access-date=March 31, 2011|date=February 16, 2011|archive-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219022239/http://rajah.com/base/node/21822|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 27, 2014, Garcia announced that she and her band, The Fuse, would be performing at Club Madrid in the Sunset Station Casino in ], near ]. She performed her first show on June 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/lilian-garcia-and-the-fuse-las-vegas|title=Lilian Garcia & The Fuse come to Vegas every Saturday|publisher=WWE|access-date=May 22, 2017|date=May 27, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017143610/http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/lilian-garcia-and-the-fuse-las-vegas|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lilian Garcia
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Lilián Annette Garcia
| genre = ], ], ]
| years_active = 2007–present
| label =
| website = {{URL|http://www.liliangarcia.com/}}
}}

* '']'' (2002)
* '']'' (2004)
* '']'' (2007)
* ''2008 Año de Exitos Pop'' (2008)<ref>{{cite web|title=2008 Año de Exitos Pop|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/2008-ano-de-exitos-pop/id267813765|publisher=]|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=October 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028005457/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/2008-ano-de-exitos-pop/id267813765|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''My Time'' (2012)<ref name="My Time - EP Lilian Garcia"/>

== Announcing career ==

=== World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1999–2009) ===
]
In 1999, García was hired by ] (WWF) as a ]. She made her debut on the August 23, 1999, episode of '']'' in Ames, Iowa.<ref name="Zimmerman August-99">{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990823.html|title=RAW – 23 August 1999|access-date=April 7, 2007|last=Zimmerman|first=Christopher|date=August 23, 1999|archive-date=January 18, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118074527/http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990823.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She was involved in her first ] on the September 13 episode of ''Raw is War'', when ] applied a ] to her after she angered him by announcing his loss by disqualification to ].<ref name="Zimmerman September-99">{{cite web|url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990913.html|title=RAW – 13 September 1999|access-date=April 7, 2007|last=Zimmerman|first=Christopher|date=September 13, 2009|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207071219/https://slashwrestling.com/raw/990913.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Garcia's second angle occurred on the December 13, 1999, episode of ''Raw''. She introduced ] for a ] ]. After Garcia announced her, Miss Kitty grabbed the mic and informed Garcia that she was now to be known as "The Kat". Her opponent, ], came out for their match and right after the two women began, ] came poolside in a skin diving suit complete with snorkel, flippers, and goggles. As he was adjusting his goggles Tori jumped on his back causing both of them to fall into the pool with X-Pac landing up on top of Tori, giving Miss Kitty an easy pinfall. Garcia announced the winner as "Miss Kitty", which infuriated The Kat, who threw Garcia into the pool of pudding.

]
Garcia sang the national anthem of the United States of America for the first time on February 11, 2000, at a ] in ]. After hearing that she did a great job, ] and ] ] had her sing the anthem before ''Raw'' went on the air on February 14, 2000, in ]. Impressed with her performance, McMahon then had Garcia sing the anthem every week before ''Raw''.<ref name="Medalis"/><ref name="Wrestling Inc"/> Her first televised performance aired on April 2, 2000, where she opened '']'' in ]. Following the ], Garcia sang "]" on the September 13, 2001, episode of '']'',. In the course of the evening, Garcia commented on the attacks, saying "Well, to say the least, this has been a real roller coaster of a week. And especially because I live in New York City. I have loved ones there, and I'm just very fortunate and very glad that a specific one didn't get to go to his meeting at 8:30 in the morning that he was supposed to be at the Twin Towers, and so I thank God for that, and I still don't know about a lot of my friends. I have, we'll be finding out, I guess, little by little. I pray for everybody there..."<ref name="September-01">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/010913.html|title=Smackdown – 13 September 2001|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=March 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322202611/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/010913.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2002, García briefly ] with rival announcer ] after Finkel left her to be decimated by ], culminating in an "evening gown versus tuxedo match" that Garcia won with the assistance of ] and ].<ref name="Raw 2/26/02">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1030417671.shtml|title=Full WWE RAW Results - 8/26/02 (Kane Returns)|date=August 26, 2002|last=Paul|first=Nemer|access-date=August 7, 2015|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925145455/http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1030417671.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Memorial Day episode of ''Raw'' on May 26, 2003, Garcia was singing "America the Beautiful" to the crowd when she was interrupted by ] members ] and ] as they insulted America saying they should've been more like the French and they mocked the American people by calling them "fat and ugly". Just then, Garcia's friend, co-general manager ] came down to the ring and tossed Grenier out of the ring and delivered a Stunner to Duprée. After the two Frenchmen walked out of the ring, Austin sang "America the Beautiful" with Garcia and the two celebrated with a beer bash. During the November 24 episode of ''Raw'', Garcia announced Trish Stratus as the winner of a ] and ] match over ]. Infuriated, Gayda stripped Garcia down to her black bra.

In June 2005, García began an on-screen romance with wrestler ]. The angle saw García ] to Viscera, stating that she wanted to marry him during the ] ] on June 26. The angle ended at ''Vengeance'' when Viscera rejected Garcia in favor of ] ]. The angle was briefly resurrected eleven months later when Viscera proposed to Garcia on the May 22, 2006, episode of ''Raw'', but was interrupted by ] before receiving an answer.<ref name="Tywalk">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/28/1108430.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115084221/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/28/1108430.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Raw: A return worthy of Hollywood|last=Tywalk|first=Nick|access-date=April 7, 2007|publisher=]|date=June 28, 2005}}</ref> García took part in her first major ] publication in 2005 with the release of the ''Divas 2005'' swimsuit magazine and related DVD ''Viva Las Divas of the WWE''.<ref name="Waldman"/>

On the June 5, 2006, episode of ''Raw'', Garcia (]) suffered a sprained wrist when wrestler ] inadvertently knocked her to the ground as she stood on the ring apron. One week later, the accident was metamorphosed into a storyline, with Haas incurring the wrath of Viscera. The storyline ended on the July 10, 2006, episode of ''Raw'', when Viscera accidentally performed a ] on Garcia while confronting Haas. Garcia was removed from television for several weeks in order to ] the Samoan drop.

García took part in her second major Diva publication in 2007 with the release of ''WWE Divas Do San Antonio'', in honor of the WWE being in San Antonio for the ]. On the April 2, 2007, episode of ''Raw'', García was humiliated in the ring when her blue satin frilled skirt was torn off by ], revealing her black lycra bikini panties after Vince McMahon attempted to hide his newly shaven bald head under her skirt. The incident resulted in a large surge in searches for Garcia on the Internet, with searches for "Lilian Garcia" jumping 301% and becoming the fourth most searched-for term on the search engine ]. She returned to announcing on the July 2, 2007, episode of ''Raw'' after taking time off to recover from a skiing injury in which she tore the ACL in her right knee. She was not fully recovered as was evident from her only announcing the first two matches from the ring and the rest from the floor. On the August 6, 2007, episode of ''Raw'', Garcia announced her new album entitled "Quiero Vivir". Lilian then started a feud with ], who claimed to be a better singer than Lilian. The next week, she competed in ''WWE Idol'', a parody of ], in which she sang "New York, New York" by ] before being interrupted by ]. In addition to announcing on ''Raw'' and ] matches, Garcia also announced on '']'', making her first appearance on April 23, 2009.<ref name="Superstars">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwesuperstars/archive/results/|title=Straight ahead to Backlash|access-date=April 23, 2009|publisher=]|archive-date=May 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504072935/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwesuperstars/archive/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the last week of August 2009, Garcia celebrated ten years with WWE, becoming the organization's first and only "Decade Diva".

On the September 21, 2009, episode of ''Raw'' from ], ] announced to the live audience that it was Garcia's final night with WWE. Garcia then made an emotional speech in the ring, thanking the fans and all of her colleagues. The final match she announced live featured ], ], and ] taking on the team of ], ], and ], although a match between ] and ] was taped earlier that evening and aired three days later on ''WWE Superstars'', marking her final television appearance. Garcia made a special appearance before the ] audience on November 16, 2009, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the evening's ''Raw'' telecast. Garcia filled in for ] ring announcer ] on April 19, 2010, due to being stranded in Europe with other WWE Superstars and crew as a result of the ]. Her appearance caused a surge in online searches, resulting in the term "Lilian Garcia" becoming the eighth most searched-for term on ] that evening and into the next day.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

=== Return to WWE (2011–2019) ===
]
On December 5, 2011, WWE announced that Garcia would be returning to ring announcing full-time, appearing on '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_55740.shtml|title=Lilian Garcia returning to WWE TV|date=December 5, 2011|access-date=May 9, 2015|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518064658/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_55740.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> She returned at the December 6 tapings of the show. She also served as the ring announcer for '']'' and pay-per-views. Garcia suffered accidents prior to ''SmackDown'' tapings in 2012. While heading to the ring prior to the March 13 taping in ], the strap on her left shoe broke. One month later, during the April 17 taping in ], she tripped over ] equipment on the top of the stage and fell down on the ramp, landing on her knees. On the April 19, 2013, episode of ''SmackDown'', Garcia was instructed dance steps by ] and insulted.

On the June 6, 2014, episode of ''SmackDown'', she was involved in a confrontation with ] after Fox lost a match to ]. On October 20, 2014, after ] was released from WWE, Garcia returned as the full-time ring announcer for '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/88872/really-really-surprising-wwe-release.html?p=1|title=Really really surprising WWE release|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=October 14, 2014|website=pwinsider.com|archive-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809214803/http://www.pwinsider.com/article/88872/really-really-surprising-wwe-release.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia Injury Update - What Led To Her Undergoing Knee Surgery, When She Will Return To WWE|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0417/592535/lilian-garcia-injury-update-what-led-to-surgery/|date=April 17, 2015|last=Daniel|first=Pena|access-date=August 7, 2015|publisher=Wrestling INC|archive-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704063859/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0417/592535/lilian-garcia-injury-update-what-led-to-surgery/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lilian returned from knee surgery on May 31 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/lilian-garcia-returns-the-new-day-retains/|title=Lilian Garcia Returns, The New Day Retains|date=May 31, 2015|last=CJ|first=BLAZE|access-date=August 7, 2015|publisher=WRESTLING NEWS WORLD|archive-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602044213/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/lilian-garcia-returns-the-new-day-retains/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 1, 2016, Garcia announced her departure from WWE.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=Lilian Garcia announces WWE exit|date=August 2016|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/01/lilian-garcia-announces-wwe-exit/|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804032349/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/01/lilian-garcia-announces-wwe-exit/|url-status=live}}</ref> Garcia made a one-night return on December 14, 2016, at '']'' where she sang the American national anthem.

She made another special appearance before the ] audience in ], on July 4, 2017, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the evening's '']'' telecast. She was also the ring announcer for the finals of the ] on September 12, 2017.

On January 22, 2018, in the ], Garcia was honored as part of a segment involving women considered legends that contributed to the company's success, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and the ] ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE honors female WWE Legends: Raw 25, Jan. 22, 2018 |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/wwe-honors-female-wwe-legends-raw-25-jan-22-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028201348/https://www.wwe.com/videos/wwe-honors-female-wwe-legends-raw-25-jan-22-2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |work=WWE}}</ref> She announced the first-ever ] in ]'s pre-show on April 8, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 25, 2018 |title=Lilian Announces WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal - Lilian Garcia |url=http://liliangarcia.com/lilian-to-announce-womens-battle-royal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923213041/https://liliangarcia.com/lilian-to-announce-womens-battle-royal/ |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref> On October 28, 2018, she announced the first-ever WWE Women's Pay Per View ].<ref>{{cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Lilian Talks Evolution - Lilian Garcia |url=https://liliangarcia.com/lilian-talks-evolution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018013646/https://liliangarcia.com/lilian-talks-evolution/ |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2018}}</ref> On the July 22, 2019, episode of ''Raw'', Garcia made a special appearance at the Raw Reunion.

=== Professional Fighters League (2019–present) ===
Around the end of May 2019, Lilian Garcia announced on her ''Chasing Glory'' ] that she had joined the ] organization, the ] (PFL), as a ring announcer.

=== Second return to WWE (2024–present) ===
On May 13, 2024, Garcia made a one-night return on ] where she was asked by ring announcer ] to help introduce a ] Quarterfinal tournament match between ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Varble |first=Aaron |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Lilian Garcia Returns For Guest Ring Announcer Duties During 5/13 WWE RAW |url=https://www.sescoops.com/wwe/lilian-garcia-wwe-raw-return-may-13 |access-date=May 14, 2024 |publisher=Sescoops}}</ref> On the October 21, 2024, episode of ''RAW'', Garcia would serve as announcer for the entire night in place of Irvin, who had announced her departure from WWE earlier that day. It was later announced that she had re-signed with the company on a full time basis.

==Other media==
===Podcasting===
After leaving WWE, Garcia began hosting two podcasts, ''Making Their Way to the Ring'' and the Spanish-language ''Luchando Con Lilian Garcia'', distributed by ]' ] network. On July 31, 2017, Garcia debuted her new podcast ''Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia'' on ].

===''The Price Is Right''===
On March 31, 2017, Garcia appeared on ] daytime game show '']'' as a contestant during the show's College Rivals special (taped February 12, 2017, aired on March 31, 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.priceisright.com/calendar/|title=Calendar - The Price Is Right|access-date=August 15, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811165914/http://www.priceisright.com/calendar/|url-status=live}}</ref> representing her alma mater ]. She won a trip to London along with some fashion accessories.

===''A.P. Bio''===
Appears as a wrestling ring announcer in Season 3 Episode 7 “Aces Wild” of the ] comedy series '']''.

== Personal life ==
Garcia is a devout Christian. Garcia credits wrestler ] with reconnecting her with God.<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8ndrIvzv8Q|title=Lita Interview {{!}} AfterBuzz TV's Lilian Garcia's Making Their Way To The Ring|website=]|date=April 10, 2017 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

She was previously married for thirteen years, but divorced.<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQK9cIYUngA|title=Lilian Garcia on her WWE return with Chasing Glory, Advice from Vince, The Rock's "People's Strudel"|website=]|date=November 3, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Garcia married her second husband, Christopher Jozeph,<ref name="Fox News"/> on September 28, 2009.<ref name="Leaving">{{cite web|url=http://lilliangarcia.com/|title=Leaving|access-date=June 28, 2009|publisher=LilianGarcia.com|archive-date=May 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512090507/http://www.lilliangarcia.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 11, 2022, Garcia filed for divorce from Jozeph.<ref name=divorce/>

On March 17, 2007, García twisted her knee in heavy snow while skiing in ], incurring a ] ]. She underwent surgery on her knee on April 5, 2007, in New York City under ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mocnyc.com/testimonials/video-testimonial-lilian-garcia-feels-stronger-torn-acl-surgery/|title=Torn ACL: MOC Video Testimonial|author=Manhattan Orthopedic Care|date=March 2, 2015|work=Manhattan Orthopedic Care|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610094422/https://www.mocnyc.com/testimonials/video-testimonial-lilian-garcia-feels-stronger-torn-acl-surgery/|url-status=live}}</ref> She returned to '']'' on July 2. On November 6, 2009, Garcia almost got robbed during the ]' ] ]. She said that a "punk kid" came up to her and tried to steal her phone. When Garcia wouldn't relinquish the phone, the assailant threw her to the ground and ran away. Garcia suffered a scraped elbow.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former WWE personality Lilian Garcia files assault charges|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article1008719.shtml|access-date=November 8, 2009|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717201805/http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article1008719.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 26, 2012, Garcia was struck by a car in Los Angeles, causing multiple contusions and lacerations on the left side of her body. Doctors immobilized Garcia's neck, after which she was said to be in a stable condition. She was released from the hospital two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/lilian-garcia-car-accident|title=Lilian Garcia talks to WWE for the first time since her accident|access-date=May 12, 2016|date=November 2, 2012|work=WWE.com|archive-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518043234/http://www.wwe.com/inside/lilian-garcia-car-accident|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 26, 2016, Garcia announced that her father had died on Christmas Day, who was battling two different unidentified types of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Garcia Says Her Father Passed Away On Christmas|date=December 26, 2016|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/787749-lilian-garcia-says-her-father-passed-away-on-christmas|website=wrestlezone.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
<!-- Per ], choose one official website only. -->
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{WWE personnel}}
{{Authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 01:52, 15 December 2024

Ring announcer and singer (born 1966)

Lilian Garcia
Garcia in 2018
Birth nameLilián Annette Garcia
Born (1966-08-19) August 19, 1966 (age 58)
Panama Canal Zone, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of South Carolina
Spouse(s) Christopher Jozeph ​ ​(m. 2009; div. 2022)
Websiteliliangarcia.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Lilian Garcia
Billed height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Billed weight110 lb (50 kg)
Billed fromNew York City
DebutAugust 23, 1999

Lilián Annette Garcia (born August 19, 1966) is an American ring announcer, singer, and podcaster. She is signed to WWE as a ring announcer for the Raw brand. She also announces for the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Early life and career

García was born on August 19, 1966, in the Panama Canal Zone. At three months old she went to Spain. She then spent eight years of her life in Spain due to her Puerto Rican father's employment with the American Embassy, and was educated on an American military base, leading her to describe herself as a "military brat". She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Upon returning to the United States, Garcia graduated from Irmo High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She went on to attend the University of South Carolina, graduating cum laude.

García was a top-ten finalist in the Miss South Carolina beauty pageant. Garcia was also one-half of a popular morning show on radio station WYYS,"YES 97" in Columbia, South Carolina, with Chuck Finley in the early '90s and later had her own drive time show. She was a VJ in Atlanta, Georgia for WTLK-TV. She also served as karaoke host at the Nitelites nightclub in the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina.

Singing career

García began singing when she was a child in Madrid, Spain. She participated in singing contests with her sister starting when she was five years old. In her early teens, she sang with a band at clubs around Columbia, South Carolina. Garcia's mother chaperoned so she could sing. She appeared in the 1990 film Modern Love as a singer.

In addition to her announcing duties with WWE, García sang the national anthem of the United States of America before most Monday Night Raw shows from February 14, 2000, until her departure on August 1, 2016. She sang "America the Beautiful" at WrestleMania 2000, WrestleMania 21 and WrestleMania XXVIII, joining a list of recording artists that includes Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Reba McEntire, Gladys Knight and Willie Nelson. With her performance at WrestleMania XXVIII, she surpassed Franklin for most musical performances at WrestleMania. Garcia now holds the record for most musical performances at WrestleMania with three.

After joining WWE, García became a fixture in professional sports with performances for the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball. She also performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Dancing with the Stars and as an opening act for James Brown.

García's first single, "Shout", debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2002. On her reaction to the news, Garcia said in 2007, "When my single came out years ago, and it was just a single, I remember the very first week it charted No. 69, and I was screaming as I grabbed Billboard, running down the streets of New York, holding it up and screaming, 'I made Billboard! I made Billboard!' I'm dreaming for that moment again."

Garcia recorded Torrie Wilson's entrance theme, "Need A Little Time", for WWE Anthology, a compilation album WWE released in November 2002. She co-wrote "You Just Don't Know Me At All" with producers Doug Kistner and Anthony Krizan, which WWE released in January 2004 on the WWE Originals album and became her entrance theme.

García began work on a solo album in 2005 with Grammy award-winning record producers George Noriega and Tim Mitchell, who worked with multi-platinum artists such as Shakira, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. Her album ¡Quiero Vivir!, which is Spanish for "I Want to Live!," got released on October 9, 2007, via Universal Music Latino. Garcia co-wrote 11 songs on the album, including three with Jon Secada, who she duets with on "Adonde". The album features 10 Spanish language tracks, and two English translations; "Under in Love" ("Desenamorada") and "Where Did Love Go?" ("Adonde"). The title track, "¡Quiero Vivir!", became her entrance theme.

After leaving WWE in August 2016, García began work on a follow-up album. She reunited with Noriega and Mitchell to record the first song in Miami, Florida in February 2011. Garcia also recorded tracks with Grammy-nominated producer Oh, Hush!. On August 17, 2012, Garcia released an EP titled My Time. The EP features six English tracks: "U Drive Me Loca", "Ur Girl (til the end of the world)", "Fix You", "Over & Over", "Tell Me", and "My Time." To promote the release of My Time, Garcia made her music video debut in December 2011 with "U Drive Me Loca." The second song off the album, "Ur Girl ('Til the End of the World)", was her entrance theme during her return to WWE. She released a music video for the track in March 2012. In January 2013, Garcia released a music video for "Over & Over".

Garcia appeared at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Her appearance on the red carpet got shown the following night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

On May 27, 2014, Garcia announced that she and her band, The Fuse, would be performing at Club Madrid in the Sunset Station Casino in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. She performed her first show on June 14, 2014.

Discography

Lilian Garcia
Birth nameLilián Annette Garcia
GenresPop, dance, rock
Years active2007–present
Websitewww.liliangarcia.com

Announcing career

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1999–2009)

Garcia in 2003

In 1999, García was hired by World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as a ring announcer. She made her debut on the August 23, 1999, episode of Raw is War in Ames, Iowa. She was involved in her first angle on the September 13 episode of Raw is War, when Jeff Jarrett applied a figure four leglock to her after she angered him by announcing his loss by disqualification to Luna Vachon.

Garcia's second angle occurred on the December 13, 1999, episode of Raw. She introduced Miss Kitty for a Women's Championship chocolate pudding pool match. After Garcia announced her, Miss Kitty grabbed the mic and informed Garcia that she was now to be known as "The Kat". Her opponent, Tori, came out for their match and right after the two women began, X-Pac came poolside in a skin diving suit complete with snorkel, flippers, and goggles. As he was adjusting his goggles Tori jumped on his back causing both of them to fall into the pool with X-Pac landing up on top of Tori, giving Miss Kitty an easy pinfall. Garcia announced the winner as "Miss Kitty", which infuriated The Kat, who threw Garcia into the pool of pudding.

Garcia in 2006

Garcia sang the national anthem of the United States of America for the first time on February 11, 2000, at a house show in Denver, Colorado. After hearing that she did a great job, Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon had her sing the anthem before Raw went on the air on February 14, 2000, in San Jose, California. Impressed with her performance, McMahon then had Garcia sing the anthem every week before Raw. Her first televised performance aired on April 2, 2000, where she opened WrestleMania 2000 in Anaheim, California. Following the September 11 attacks, Garcia sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the September 13, 2001, episode of SmackDown!,. In the course of the evening, Garcia commented on the attacks, saying "Well, to say the least, this has been a real roller coaster of a week. And especially because I live in New York City. I have loved ones there, and I'm just very fortunate and very glad that a specific one didn't get to go to his meeting at 8:30 in the morning that he was supposed to be at the Twin Towers, and so I thank God for that, and I still don't know about a lot of my friends. I have, we'll be finding out, I guess, little by little. I pray for everybody there..."

In August 2002, García briefly feuded with rival announcer Howard Finkel after Finkel left her to be decimated by 3-Minute Warning, culminating in an "evening gown versus tuxedo match" that Garcia won with the assistance of Stacy Keibler and Trish Stratus. During the Memorial Day episode of Raw on May 26, 2003, Garcia was singing "America the Beautiful" to the crowd when she was interrupted by La Résistance members Sylvain Grenier and René Duprée as they insulted America saying they should've been more like the French and they mocked the American people by calling them "fat and ugly". Just then, Garcia's friend, co-general manager Stone Cold Steve Austin came down to the ring and tossed Grenier out of the ring and delivered a Stunner to Duprée. After the two Frenchmen walked out of the ring, Austin sang "America the Beautiful" with Garcia and the two celebrated with a beer bash. During the November 24 episode of Raw, Garcia announced Trish Stratus as the winner of a bra and panties match over Jackie Gayda. Infuriated, Gayda stripped Garcia down to her black bra.

In June 2005, García began an on-screen romance with wrestler Viscera. The angle saw García propose to Viscera, stating that she wanted to marry him during the Vengeance pay-per-view on June 26. The angle ended at Vengeance when Viscera rejected Garcia in favor of The Godfather's Hos. The angle was briefly resurrected eleven months later when Viscera proposed to Garcia on the May 22, 2006, episode of Raw, but was interrupted by Umaga before receiving an answer. García took part in her first major Diva publication in 2005 with the release of the Divas 2005 swimsuit magazine and related DVD Viva Las Divas of the WWE.

On the June 5, 2006, episode of Raw, Garcia (legitimately) suffered a sprained wrist when wrestler Charlie Haas inadvertently knocked her to the ground as she stood on the ring apron. One week later, the accident was metamorphosed into a storyline, with Haas incurring the wrath of Viscera. The storyline ended on the July 10, 2006, episode of Raw, when Viscera accidentally performed a Samoan drop on Garcia while confronting Haas. Garcia was removed from television for several weeks in order to sell the Samoan drop.

García took part in her second major Diva publication in 2007 with the release of WWE Divas Do San Antonio, in honor of the WWE being in San Antonio for the Royal Rumble. On the April 2, 2007, episode of Raw, García was humiliated in the ring when her blue satin frilled skirt was torn off by Bobby Lashley, revealing her black lycra bikini panties after Vince McMahon attempted to hide his newly shaven bald head under her skirt. The incident resulted in a large surge in searches for Garcia on the Internet, with searches for "Lilian Garcia" jumping 301% and becoming the fourth most searched-for term on the search engine Yahoo!. She returned to announcing on the July 2, 2007, episode of Raw after taking time off to recover from a skiing injury in which she tore the ACL in her right knee. She was not fully recovered as was evident from her only announcing the first two matches from the ring and the rest from the floor. On the August 6, 2007, episode of Raw, Garcia announced her new album entitled "Quiero Vivir". Lilian then started a feud with Jillian Hall, who claimed to be a better singer than Lilian. The next week, she competed in WWE Idol, a parody of American Idol, in which she sang "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra before being interrupted by Santino Marella. In addition to announcing on Raw and pay-per-view matches, Garcia also announced on WWE Superstars, making her first appearance on April 23, 2009. During the last week of August 2009, Garcia celebrated ten years with WWE, becoming the organization's first and only "Decade Diva".

On the September 21, 2009, episode of Raw from Little Rock, Arkansas, Jerry Lawler announced to the live audience that it was Garcia's final night with WWE. Garcia then made an emotional speech in the ring, thanking the fans and all of her colleagues. The final match she announced live featured Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Big Show taking on the team of John Cena, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Mark Henry, although a match between Primo and Chris Masters was taped earlier that evening and aired three days later on WWE Superstars, marking her final television appearance. Garcia made a special appearance before the Madison Square Garden audience on November 16, 2009, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the evening's Raw telecast. Garcia filled in for Raw ring announcer Justin Roberts on April 19, 2010, due to being stranded in Europe with other WWE Superstars and crew as a result of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption. Her appearance caused a surge in online searches, resulting in the term "Lilian Garcia" becoming the eighth most searched-for term on Google that evening and into the next day.

Return to WWE (2011–2019)

Garcia in 2015

On December 5, 2011, WWE announced that Garcia would be returning to ring announcing full-time, appearing on SmackDown. She returned at the December 6 tapings of the show. She also served as the ring announcer for Main Event and pay-per-views. Garcia suffered accidents prior to SmackDown tapings in 2012. While heading to the ring prior to the March 13 taping in Columbus, Ohio, the strap on her left shoe broke. One month later, during the April 17 taping in London, England, she tripped over pyrotechnic equipment on the top of the stage and fell down on the ramp, landing on her knees. On the April 19, 2013, episode of SmackDown, Garcia was instructed dance steps by Fandango and insulted.

On the June 6, 2014, episode of SmackDown, she was involved in a confrontation with Alicia Fox after Fox lost a match to Natalya. On October 20, 2014, after Justin Roberts was released from WWE, Garcia returned as the full-time ring announcer for Raw. Lilian returned from knee surgery on May 31 at Elimination Chamber. On August 1, 2016, Garcia announced her departure from WWE. Garcia made a one-night return on December 14, 2016, at WWE Tribute to the Troops where she sang the American national anthem.

She made another special appearance before the Talking Stick Resort Arena audience in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 4, 2017, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the evening's SmackDown Live telecast. She was also the ring announcer for the finals of the Mae Young Classic on September 12, 2017.

On January 22, 2018, in the Raw 25 Years special episode, Garcia was honored as part of a segment involving women considered legends that contributed to the company's success, including Bella Twins, Maryse, Kelly Kelly, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Terri Runnels, Maria Kanellis and the Hall of Famers Jacqueline and Trish Stratus. She announced the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal in WrestleMania 34's pre-show on April 8, 2018. On October 28, 2018, she announced the first-ever WWE Women's Pay Per View WWE Evolution. On the July 22, 2019, episode of Raw, Garcia made a special appearance at the Raw Reunion.

Professional Fighters League (2019–present)

Around the end of May 2019, Lilian Garcia announced on her Chasing Glory podcast that she had joined the mixed martial arts organization, the Professional Fighters League (PFL), as a ring announcer.

Second return to WWE (2024–present)

On May 13, 2024, Garcia made a one-night return on WWE Raw where she was asked by ring announcer Samantha Irvin to help introduce a King of the Ring Quarterfinal tournament match between Gunther and Kofi Kingston. On the October 21, 2024, episode of RAW, Garcia would serve as announcer for the entire night in place of Irvin, who had announced her departure from WWE earlier that day. It was later announced that she had re-signed with the company on a full time basis.

Other media

Podcasting

After leaving WWE, Garcia began hosting two podcasts, Making Their Way to the Ring and the Spanish-language Luchando Con Lilian Garcia, distributed by Maria Menounos' AfterBuzz TV network. On July 31, 2017, Garcia debuted her new podcast Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia on PodcastOne.

The Price Is Right

On March 31, 2017, Garcia appeared on CBS daytime game show The Price Is Right as a contestant during the show's College Rivals special (taped February 12, 2017, aired on March 31, 2017) representing her alma mater University of South Carolina. She won a trip to London along with some fashion accessories.

A.P. Bio

Appears as a wrestling ring announcer in Season 3 Episode 7 “Aces Wild” of the NBC comedy series A.P. Bio.

Personal life

Garcia is a devout Christian. Garcia credits wrestler Molly Holly with reconnecting her with God.

She was previously married for thirteen years, but divorced. Garcia married her second husband, Christopher Jozeph, on September 28, 2009. On April 11, 2022, Garcia filed for divorce from Jozeph.

On March 17, 2007, García twisted her knee in heavy snow while skiing in Killington, Vermont, incurring a torn anterior cruciate ligament. She underwent surgery on her knee on April 5, 2007, in New York City under Armin Tehrany. She returned to Raw on July 2. On November 6, 2009, Garcia almost got robbed during the New York Yankees' 2009 World Series ticker-tape parade. She said that a "punk kid" came up to her and tried to steal her phone. When Garcia wouldn't relinquish the phone, the assailant threw her to the ground and ran away. Garcia suffered a scraped elbow. On October 26, 2012, Garcia was struck by a car in Los Angeles, causing multiple contusions and lacerations on the left side of her body. Doctors immobilized Garcia's neck, after which she was said to be in a stable condition. She was released from the hospital two days later.

On December 26, 2016, Garcia announced that her father had died on Christmas Day, who was battling two different unidentified types of cancer.

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