In film and television shows alike, cheerleaders are rarely taken seriously as complex characters and competitive athletes. But the new Netflix show Cheer, set in Texas, finally shows cheerleaders to be exactly that. (Disclaimer: Texas Monthly associate editor Leif Reigstad was interviewed for the documentary.)
The six-part docuseries follows the cheer team at Navarro College, a junior college of about 10,000 students in Corsicana, in the months leading up to the 2019 NCAA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships in Daytona Beach. For years, cheerleaders from all over the country have traveled to Corsicana for a chance to compete on the Navarro cheer team, known for consistently earning top spots at the NCAA National and Grand National Championships since 2000. The way we prepare, you keep going until you get it right, and then you keep going until you cant get it wrong, Monica Aldama, who heads Navarros team, says in the documentary. A Corsicana native, previous cheerleader, and now coach, Aldama had, up to 2019, brought home thirteen national championship titles to Navarro in the past two decadesher feats are so widely recognized within the cheer community that shes nicknamed The Queen.
Part gymnastics, part dance routine, and part Cirque du Soleil, competitive cheer belongs in its own category of sports. They are the toughest athletes Ive ever filmed, Greg Whiteley, Cheers director, said in a recent interview. I dont think that was something I would have thought would be true before I started exploring this world. Anyone in the cheer world is familiar with the intensity thats required to excel in this excruciating sport, yet Cheer shows that it can be a fairly insular worldeven Corsicana residents interviewed for the documentary are unaware of Navarros cheer prestige.
Cheer offers a corrective to that. As the Navarro team works to develop their two and a half minute routine throughout the docuseries, they flex their tumbling skills and impressive stunts, such as a pyramid formation that involves multiple cheerleaders flying through the air and landing on other members shoulders. But the documentary also places their falls and misstepsas well as the injuries stemming from themon full display. As a viewer, its brutal to watch as squad members get tossed into the air, and you find yourself crossing your fingers in hopes that theyre caught. Boys groan as their backs give out while holding up teammates, girls wince from bruised ribs; trips to the ER arent uncommon. But the Navarro College cheerleaders are willing to endure long hours and risky routines for the chance to keep training. If Monica believes in me enough to put me in, then I should be able to trust myself, Morgan Simianer, a flyer, says in Cheer. Id do anything for that woman.
Throughout its six episodes, Cheer follows five main characters (Simianer included) and the struggles they face amidst training. The stories include that of Gabi Butler, a cheerfluencer whos gained an impressive following on social media and faces an overwhelming pressure from herself, her parents, and the cheer community to be perfect; Simianer, who was abandoned by her parents as a teenager and who was left to live with her brother in a trailer; and LaDarius Marshall, an openly gay male cheerleader who felt rejected by his family in Florida. Each squad member sees Aldama as their champion, sometimes even as a second mother. Although they are bound by cheerleading, their ties typically extend outside of the sport, toofor instance, after one squad member has old nude photos of her leaked by someone she fought with in the past, Aldama helps her go to the police and report it.
While Aldama seems to have their best interests at heart, shes also tough about disciplining her cheerleaders on the mat and off. Students have a team tutor, and Aldama enforces punishments in practice for tardies and absences in classes outside of cheer. Whenever someone isnt caught or a move isnt completed, Aldama makes the entire team do push-ups. And in one instance, Aldama chastises a cheerleader who gets injured while competing outside of Navarro (some cheerleaders take on extra cheerleading outside of their extracurricular at school) by making him run through a routine while limpingand toward the end of it, hes on his knees crying from the pain. While a regimen is certainly needed to groom national champions, her methods are sometimes questionable.
At its core, Cheer homes in on the idea of trust, as much as the trust that squad members have in each other, in themselves, and what it takes to develop it. While dealing with their own personal traumas, the characters tackle both the physical extremities and emotional barriers of the sportwhich, in turn, is a critical part of cheerleading. If one person is off either physically or mentally, it could affect the whole team or send a pyramid tumbling down. Although the characters challenges are personal, theyre often solved with the help of their teammates: one character, Lexi Brumback, comes off as a loner in the beginning of the series (when shes instead trying to avoid drama, because of her past of getting into violent fights). As she begins to open up to her teammates, and sees that they accept her, she gains confidence in herself as both an athlete and a young woman.
Instead of capitalizing on tired cheerleading stereotypes, Cheer presents the sports harsh realities, from the physical brutality involved to the fact that theres no professional career to follow. (Unlike football, basketball, or soccer, college cheerleading is the end of the line for competitive cheer athletes.) By the time the team finally reaches Daytona, viewers find themselves not just rooting for Navarro athletes to win a national championship. Theyre also cheering on people who are trying their best to lift one another up.
Link:
Netflixs Cheer Docuseries Sheds Light on the Sports Harsh Realities - Texas Monthly
- 'Yes, Eddie Van Halen Was Anxious': Wolfgang Sheds Light On His Father's Controversial Decision For Van Halen - Ultimate Guitar - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Amazon Is Selling This $180 Metal Storage Shed for Only $80 Right Now, and It's 'Perfect' for Stashing Yard Tools - Men's Journal - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Firefighters swiftly contain maintenance shed blaze in Henderson - KSNV - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Italian researcher sheds light on the lasting psychiatric impact of childhood trauma - News-Medical - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- New glacier discovery sheds light on Earth's origins - MSN - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- UVA research sheds light on triggers of out-of-body experiences - Cville Right Now - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- New HoYoverse Listing Sheds Light on Next Game from Genshin Impact Developer - ComicBook.com - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- A tragic death; its aftermath that sheds light - The Long Island Advance - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- U.S. Smuggling Trial Sheds Light on Iranian Arms Trafficking - The Maritime Executive - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Circuit Clerks Office sheds light on a Scam that has been circulating via Text - Z93 Country - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- AI sheds light on bird collisions at offshore wind farms - group.vattenfall.com - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Unravelling the origins of cosmic rays: MSU research sheds light on century-old mystery - Innovation News Network - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Italian researcher sheds light on the lasting psychiatric impact of childhood trauma - MSN - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Discovery of Gpr45 gene activity in brain cilia sheds light on genetic roots of overeating - Medical Xpress - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- First named pterosaur from Japan sheds light on ancient flying reptiles - Phys.org - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Underwater Images of Coins Sheds Light on San Jos Galleon, the Holy Grail of Shipwrecks - GreekReporter.com - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Broward Sheriff report sheds new light on inmate fight that led to deputies arrests - Sun Sentinel - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Parents forced 3-year-old boy to live in dirty shed without electricity and running water for weeks, cops say - Law and Crime News - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Seminole County Fire Department: 9 dogs killed in a shed fire that spread to a kennel in Altamonte Springs - Headline Surfer - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- Will Neymar Stay at Santos? His Father Sheds Light on the Brazilian Stars Future - beIN SPORTS - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- In the News: David Alexander Sheds Light on Social Pressures - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Sunday Fire Causes Extensive Damage to Town of Herman Shed - whbl.com - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Genetic discovery sheds light on infection-triggered neuropathy - News-Medical - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Veteran sheds light on the importance of mental health research - VA News (.gov) - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Expos sheds light on shocking truth behind popular fashion brand's operations: 'We have no choice' - The Cool Down - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- The Fed sheds one of its three big threats - Financial Times - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Rafael Nadal sheds tears in emotional French Open ceremony with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - Yahoo Sports - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- NBA Insider Sheds Light on 16-Year Veterans Future - Sports Illustrated - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Machine Gun Kelly sheds light on welcoming baby with Megan Fox - The News International - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Shopper sheds light on disturbing reality behind trendy thrift store model: 'The reality is hardly this simple or rosy' - The Cool Down - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- IBM Research Sheds New Light on AI Agents' Impact Across Org Structures, Business Functions - Cloud Wars - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Crews respond to early morning shed fire in York County - FOX43 - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- In a three-hour interview with Joe Rogan, Aaron Rodgers sheds no light on his football future - NBC Sports - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Rafael Nadal sheds tears as the 'big four' reunite for Spaniard's farewell party at his beloved Roland Garros - MSN - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- A new map of Africa sheds light on the origins of enslaved people - Science News Explores - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Kyle Richards Sheds New Light on Seeing Mauricio with That Woman: Very Intuitive - Bravo - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- US Man Addicted To Fast Food Sheds 124 Kg, Reveals Simple Hobby That Transformed His Life - NDTV - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Shed catches fire, billows thick smoke - WGAL - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- The Last Of Us Director Sheds New Light On The First Game's Ending - GameSpot - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- People warned to 'never' risk removing wasp nests from sheds themselves as they emerge this spring - Nottinghamshire Live - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Bill Belichick Sheds Light On Jordon Hudson's 'Business' Role With Him - Sports Illustrated - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Deion Sanders sheds tears of pride as Shilo defends Shedeur from hate in emotional family showdown - MotorcycleSports - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Walmart is selling a 'quality' $399 outdoor storage shed for $133, and shoppers say it's 'nice and spacious' - autoblog.com - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- OPINION: How President Raymonds Performance Before the U.S. House Committee Sheds a Concerning Light on the Haverford Community - haverfordclerk.com - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Sheds Citi Stake, Trims Other Big Bank Holdings - MSN - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- 'Fallout' Star Sheds Light on Show's Future With Big Admission - Men's Journal - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Rant and Rave: Reader sheds tears of joy over production of Jane Eyre - The Seattle Times - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sheds stoic approach as he leads Thunder to Game 7 win - Star-Herald - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- First study of its kind sheds light on pregnancy in the Viking Age - Phys.org - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- This Powerful Exhibit Sheds Light on 35 Years of Working Class Realities - The Phoblographer - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Changes to LL11 Aim to Benefit Boards & Building Owners - New Laws Move NYC Away from Sidewalk Sheds - Cooperator News New York - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- I shed two stone on weight-loss drugs then got Ozempic tongue - The Independent - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- What Is Surgical Body Contouring? Expert Sheds Insights On Trend Reshaping Fitness - Zee News - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Scientists discover Archaeopteryx fossil that sheds light on the first flight - The Economic Times - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Suspect caught naked with Vaseline inside a shed at Slidell Lowe's store, police report - The Daily Advertiser | Lafayette, Louisiana - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Essex crews stop shed fires spreading to homes in Loughton - BBC - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Fresh information in Netflix documentary sheds new light on the killing of Jason Corbett - The Irish Times - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Gold Drops Rs 3,750 This Week, Silver Sheds Rs 826 as Market Volatility Weighs on Bullion Prices - MSN - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Will Smith's friend sheds light on their friendship - Geo.tv - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Cassies first day on the witness stand sheds more light on freak-offs - TheGrio - May 20th, 2025 [May 20th, 2025]
- Texas mother finds her 2 kids dead in a shed. Police investigate. - mySA - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Marvel sheds new light on Death of Silver Surfer #1 - AIPT - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Shed old skin: Learn the Year of the Snakes power - FVS News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Provo man charged with killing ex-girlfriend, hiding her bound body in shed - KSL.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Drew McIntyre Sheds Light On Massive Support He Has Received Behind-The-Scenes In WWE From The Rock - Wrestling Headlines - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) sheds 3.4% this week, as yearly returns fall more in line with earnings growth - Yahoo Finance - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- House of David sheds light on Jonathan's wife as viewers wonder what happened to her - The Mirror US - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- DOGE in the Dumps: Dogecoin Sheds Most of Its Post-Election Gains - Decrypt - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Your Gear Shed Doesn't Have to Look Pretty to Be Practical - Outside - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- UPDATED: Man arrested after body of missing Springville woman is found in Provo shed - Daily Herald - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Rare frescoes unearthed in Pompeii shed light on ancient rituals - Reuters - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 53-year-old man arrested after missing woman's body found in Provo shed - FOX 13 News Utah - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- What to Know About Tax Filing As the IRS Sheds Workers - RealClearMarkets - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Joy Reid Sheds Tears On Her Firing While MSNBC Gets Major Backlash - The Root - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Theres a body in the shed: Missing woman found dead, 53-year-old man arrested - ABC4.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- An Antarctic mega-iceberg is driftingHow ancient ice history sheds light on its journey - Study Finds - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- New details: Permitted fire spreads out of control to two sheds, boat and pickup in Falmouth - CapeCod.com News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Karrion Kross sheds his character to speak his mind, delivering a heartfelt message to WWE fans - The Times of India - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- New research sheds light on disturbing health trends observed around oil and gas wells: 'Important need for additional studies' - The Cool Down - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 'The Traitors': Carolyn Wiger Sheds Light On Fiery Roundtable With Danielle Reyes & Where They Stand - Access Hollywood - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]