When Cheer blared into the zeitgeist in January, it instantly won hearts. Greg Whiteley’s documentary series about the championship cheerleaders of Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, is at once beautiful and brutal, a thrilling spectacle and a wrenching look at the toll of intense physical training on young bodies.
The six-episode show follows the members of a squad that’s won 14 national championships in 19 years, and a chosen family that’s home to kids from all walks of life. They’re led by spitfire coach Monica Aldama, a real-life manifestation of Tami Taylor’s Friday Night Lights-like Tammy; she works her team hard and loves them deeply. She helps one girl file a police report after nude photos circulate online of her then-16-year-old self, and she’s especially protective of the squad’s gay athletes, who feel alienated in their small town.
There are also plenty of moments that test viewers’ limits, like when T.T. Barker shows up at practice with a back injury but is made to hoist flyers over his head anyway, despite the fact that he can’t stand up on his own. It’s painful to watch him wince and grunt in pain while his teammates take turns lifting, throwing and catching him in the air—and the sound of bone against flesh, mat against muscle, is enough to give anyone a headache.
The show is also a reminder that competitive cheerleading isn’t just about school spirit, nor does it have to be elitist. Lexi, a peroxide-blonde tumbler, dropped out of high school and hung with the wrong crowd; Jerry, another team member, was homeless for awhile and lost his mother; Morgan, a girl terrified to disappoint her coach, suffered from sexual abuse as a child. Cheer shows these kids, and their coach, as they learn to trust each other—and themselves.
Faxco 12Pack Plastic Pom Poms Cheerleading Pom Poms Sports Dance Cheer Plastic Pom Pom for Rooters,Cheering Squard,Cheering Team (Orange)
$12.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hanaive 3 Pcs Plastic Cheerleading Pom Poms and Large Cheerleader Hair Bow Metallic Foil Pompoms Cheer for Cheering Squad Dance Rooters Accessories
$7.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hlonon 4 Pack Cheerleader Pom Poms Sports Dance Cheer Plastic Pom Poms Cheerleading for Sports Team Spirit Cheering
$9.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Giant Foam Finger 18 Inch- Number 1 Universal Foam Hand for All Occasions - Cheerleading for Sports - Exciting Vibrant Colors use as Celebration Pom Poms- Great for Sports Events Games School Business
$11.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hotop 3 Pcs 10 in Cheerleading Pom Poms and Large Cheerleader Hair Bow for Girl Cheer Pompoms Cheerleading Accessories for Sport Events Dance Party Basketball Football Team
$8.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hanaive 3 Pcs Cheerleading Pom Poms and Large Cheerleader Hair Bow Metallic Cheer Pom Poms for Team Spirit Sports Dance Cheering
$9.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
4Pcs Metallic Cheerleading Pom Poms, Creatiee 2 Pair Cheerleader Cheering Squad Pompoms for School Sports Dance Games Team Spirit Cheer
$15.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hooshing 12PCS/24PCS Pom Poms Cheerleading Metallic Foil Cheer Pom Poms with Plastic Handles for Rooters Cheering Squad Team Spirit Sports
$13.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
4Pcs Upgraded 12inch Metallic Cheerleading Pom Poms, HOLENGS Cheerleader Pompoms Cheer Poms for Kids Adults, Cheering Squad Pompoms for School Sports Games Dance Party
$15.99 (as of September 30, 2024 19:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)