Rising Female Wrestler Arianna Grace’s Parents, Father Santino Marella And Mother Petrina Influenced Her WWE Career

She is continuing her family's wrestling legacy!

May 30, 2026

This article was last updated by Rovik Parajuli on May 30, 2026

Arianna Grace, whose real name is Bianca Sophia Carelli, is quickly making waves in the world of professional wrestling.

Competing under the WWE NXT banner and recently appearing in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), she’s known not just for her athletic prowess and poise but also for her unique family background.

A second-generation wrestler, Arianna Grace was born into a household already deeply entrenched in the wrestling industry.

But who are the parents behind this rising wrestling star?

Arianna Grace Is The Daughter Of Former WWE Wrestler Santino Marella

Bianca Carelli’s father is none other than Anthony Carelli, famously known in the WWE universe as Santino Marella.

Known for his comedic timing, outrageous gimmicks, and iconic “Santina Marella” persona, Santino made a lasting impression during his 11-year tenure with WWE.

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Carelli’s path to WWE fame wasn’t typical.

He was signed by WWE after a controversial stint in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), making his unforgettable debut on Monday Night Raw in 2007, where he won the Intercontinental Championship in his first match.

Throughout his career, he would go on to win multiple titles and remain one of the most entertaining figures in WWE history.

Outside the ring, Anthony Carelli is the founder of Battle Arts Academy, a training center for martial arts and professional wrestling, and serves as the official ambassador for Judo Canada.

These days, he continues his wrestling journey in TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), where he serves as an on-screen authority figure.

Following his split with Petrina, his first wife, Anthony Carelli remarried in 2015 to Anna Babij, a bikini fitness competitor and general manager at Battle Arts Academy.

The couple welcomed their first child together, Marko, in 2018, and a daughter, Milena Rose, in 2026.

Grace has often acknowledged her father’s influence in her career.

In a 2026 appearance on the Lyons Den podcast, she spoke candidly about how wrestling once felt like the thing that “stole” her dad.

She revealed,

I used to think, ‘I don’t see my dad because he’s wrestling. I hate wrestling.’

But as she grew older, she found healing and purpose in the very industry that once created distance in her life.

Arianna Grace’s Mother, Petrina, Lives A Private Life

Much less is publicly known about Petrina, Bianca’s mother and Anthony Carelli’s former wife.

She has chosen to live a life away from the media spotlight, but her importance in Grace’s life is undeniable.

Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful, funny and smart momma, Petrina! 🥰 love you so much!

— Arianna Grace (@AriannaGraceWWE)

One thing we know about Petrina is that she is of half-Pakistani descent and a good mother, who has done a great job raising her.

That’s why Bianca credits both her parents for helping her navigate a unique childhood in Canada.

Although not involved in the wrestling world herself, Petrina played a key role in Bianca’s formative years, balancing her daughter’s early interests with the unconventional demands of life in a wrestling family.

Arianna Grace Was Inspired To Pursue Wrestling By Her Dad

Before stepping into the squared circle, Arianna Grace had a different spotlight; she was a beauty pageant competitor and nearly pursued a career in medicine.

But disappointed with university and feeling out of alignment with her future, she turned to her father for advice.

It was Anthony who encouraged her to give wrestling a chance. He told her,

“You can take something that caused you pain and turn it into something that gives you your life back.”

That shift in perspective not only brought them closer but also launched Bianca into her destiny as Arianna Grace, a rising WWE star who’s already making a name for herself beyond just her last name.

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Rovik Parajuli

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