All-Star Anybody Else Dislike The ''cheerlebrity'' Phenomenon?

[Deleted member 1556]

The rise of social media= the rise of cheerlebrity

 

[yojaehs]

Ha ha, really? People are saying they wouldn't want their kid to be considered a "cheerlebrity", that's funny. I honestly don't know who is "officially" a cheerlebrity but as cheerisgood has said, I often see TONS of kids ask for pictures, autographs, etc. from all different kids from so many different teams. As I said before I feel the REAL "cheerlebrities" are made by the cheer community. My "cheerlebrities" are Victor, Ben Hazelrig, Matt McGrath, Robbie Gregory, April Weaver, Anita (Idk last name) I have several more but all that I named have had success through the cheer world and beyond. So is it wrong to recognize these people for their rare talent (And YES, MOST "Cheerlebrities" have a RARE talent). Quit being haters, you'd love for your child or athlete to be recognized. Begging for recognition is annoying, but it is what it is. People saying they don't like RECOGNITION is annoying as well.

 

[The Sixth]

Wow, never seen this topic beat to death before

Your rant is a little too rainbows and unicorns for me. If you want to just complain about some cheerlebrity statuses not being justified, fine I can get on board with that. But you're out of your mind, taking it to the extreme, if you think it's only about the team and there is no place for individuality.

Every sport needs those few that can rise above the rest and do spectacular things. Even in instances where it may not be reflected on the score sheet necessarily, sports need those hooks for the athletes and fans alike. It's athletes like that, that allow the sport to evolve and maintain interest.

 

[ztaprincess]

Quit being haters, you'd love for your child or athlete to be recognized. Begging for recognition is annoying, but it is what it is. People saying they don't like RECOGNITION is annoying as well.

There is a difference in getting recognized and not being able to walk around a competition without a body guard. I would never in a million years wish that on anyone. That is why at the end of the season I said thannk goodness Maddie can now enjoy her life. She couldn't go to a competition and relax like everyone else because she was hunted down by people. I am sure to her it had become normal, but from the outside view there was nothing normal about it at all. She handled it perfectly, but if I had a child I would never want them to go through that.

The term "haters" being thrown around is what is annoying, not people saying that don't want their child to have that kind of recognition.

This all goes much deeper then a magazine article or 2by2 video. This goes into the territroy of fans treating them as if they are the next big boy band while at a competition.

 

[yojaehs]

There is a difference in getting recognized and not being able to walk around a competition without a body guard. I would never in a million years wish that on anyone. That is why at the end of the season I said thannk goodness Maddie can now enjoy her life. She couldn't go to a competition and relax like everyone else because she was hunted down by people. I am sure to her it had become normal, but from the outside view there was nothing normal about it at all. She handled it perfectly, but if I had a child I would never want them to go through that.

The term "haters" being thrown around is what is annoying, not people saying that don't want their child to have that kind of recognition.

This all goes much deeper then a magazine article or 2by2 video. This goes into the territroy of fans treating them as if they are the next big boy band while at a competition.

I hear you, but I think there is a difference in saying "hey guys they are cheerleaders that practice hard just like you" and "I don't like "cheerlebrities, they are all snobs and brats". I don't think they are all like that at ALL. I think there have been negative comments made about "cheerlebrities" because they are swarmed, but is that THEIR fault? I guess my point is WHO is to blame for the NEGATIVE parts of the "cheerlebrity". But in general, I don't see "cheerlebrity" as a bad thing.

 

[CharlotteASMom]

I'd rather my kid's team be recognized than her as an individual.

 

[Mclovin]

If any of our so-called cheerlebrities wants it to stop, all they have to do is quit accepting the role. Stop doing meet and greets, stop signing autographs, stop telling the whole world all about themselves on social media, stop allowing magazines to plaster their picture on the front cover or all over the inside of the magazine, stop stop stop. Eventually they will be forgotten and new faces will appear. But they don't. They accept all of it. The good and the bad. Some will move on in their lives and appreciate the opportunity to be somewhat famous for what they loved and participated in as a child, others will hate the fact that they ever allowed it to happen in the first place and wish they could take it all back. One thing is for sure IMO, it's not going to end anytime in the near future. Social media and the growing popularity of the sport will make sure of that. Quite frankly, as annoying as it can be, I'm glad there are athletes that kids can look up to and admire. Every sport known to man has people famous for what they do. Cheer should be no different. I always hoped and dreamed my girls would inspire the younger generation to work harder, get better and grow this sport. I can only pray that they have touched at least one athlete in that way.

 

[ztaprincess]

I hear you, but I think there is a difference in saying "hey guys they are cheerleaders that practice hard just like you" and "I don't like "cheerlebrities, they are all snobs and brats". I don't think they are all like that at ALL. I think there have been negative comments made about "cheerlebrities" because they are swarmed, but is that THEIR fault? I guess my point is WHO is to blame for the NEGATIVE parts of the "cheerlebrity". But in general, I don't see "cheerlebrity" as a bad thing.

Yeah I don't think that the athletes are to blame (98% of the time) for the swarms of fans and the negative that comes with it, it is just the mind set that some have to obsess over things. There is though that 1-2% that bring the negative upon themselves.
I just know that because I have wittnessed the obsession some people have, I would never want my child to have to deal with something like that. It scares me and creeps me out that some athletes can't walk around a competition with their friends without being attacked by athletes. The fake social networking site is enough for me to not wish that on anyone.

It makes me think of an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras that I have mentioned before. The little MacKenzie girl was at a pagent and these little girls wouldn't stop following her around wanting pictures and to play with her. She started crying for her mom to make them stop all while the cameras are rolling. This little girl just wanted to enjoy herself, but the fame she has gained, in and outside of the pagent world, has made it misrable at times.

I just feel sorry for some of these girls.

 

[yojaehs]

I'd rather my kid's team be recognized than her as an individual.

I'm yet to hear a "cheerlebrity" say they DON'T want their team to be recognized. I agree I'd rather see a "teamlebrity" but to be naive enough to think that individual recognition isn't going to happen, and in some cases, DESERVED, IMO is naive.

 

[yojaehs]

Yeah I don't think that the athletes are to blame (98% of the time) for the swarms of fans and the negative that comes with it, it is just the mind set that some have to obsess over things. There is though that 1-2% that bring the negative upon themselves.
I just know that because I have wittnessed the obsession some people have, I would never want my child to have to deal with something like that. It scares me and creeps me out that some athletes can't walk around a competition with their friends without being attacked by athletes. The fake social networking site is enough for me to not wish that on anyone.

It makes me think of an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras that I have mentioned before. The little MacKenzie girl was at a pagent and these little girls wouldn't stop following her around wanting pictures and to play with her. She started crying for her mom to make them stop all while the cameras are rolling. This little girl just wanted to enjoy herself, but the fame she has gained, in and outside of the pagent world, has made it misrable at times.

I just feel sorry for some of these girls.

You hit the nail on the head! See this is exactly what I mean! ONLY 1-2% are "asking for it". The "crazed fan" is a "crazed fan", no different than the fierceboard section at World's. The funny thing is, 99% of the fierceboard section is the biggest "name droppers" EVER!!!! lol, not saying that in a bad way. I'm just saying, we ALL recognize individuals, some just are a bit nutz about it!

 

[cheerheart4life]

It makes me think of an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras that I have mentioned before. The little MacKenzie girl was at a pagent and these little girls wouldn't stop following her around wanting pictures and to play with her. She started crying for her mom to make them stop all while the cameras are rolling. This little girl just wanted to enjoy herself, but the fame she has gained, in and outside of the pagent world, has made it misrable at times.

I just feel sorry for some of these girls.

Oh my goodness that is so sad! She is so young and I know that all she wants to do is enjoy herself, have fun, and win her pageant.

I know that cheerlebrities sometimes promote themselves, but its not always just them. People look up to them and I agree, social media builds them up as they gain more fans! The truth is that people are going to look up to and strive to be as good as the "cheerlebrities". I've tried to hate them for their fame, but in reality it's just like a football player looking up to his favorite quarterback!

Some people take it to far with the autographs and interviews. But hey, its not hurting anyone. I just hope that these cheerlebrities are able to keep their own social life and that they don't let it get to their heads. I hate cocky people. Lets just have all the cheerlebrities act like Gabi Butler please. There are several others who are great role models, but she always pops in my head because she doesn't ask for the followers and she continues to help others and not make herself famous.

Thats just my little view- not like it matters. But I've come to the nice realization that cheerlebrities aren't hurting anyone. So why stop it?

 

[WorkToWin]

Pros to Being a Cheerlebrity:
1.. Positive attention
2. Meeting a lot of new people
3. Scholarship Opportunities
4. Having fans
5. Inspiring others
6. Free stuff

Cons to Being a Cheerlebrity:
1. Fake Social Networking Sites
2. Lack of privacy
3. Not being able to relax at competitions
4. People hoping you fail
5. People blaming you when something goes wrong
5. Everything you do would be judged

For every passionate fan, there is an equally passionate hater waiting for you to fail.

Would I ever want to be a cheerlebrity? I would LOVE the opportunity, even though I possibly would end up regretting it.

 

[TheVipersMom]

Haha considering one of my daughters goals is to be "famos and poplar" (I guess her letter "U" doesn't work) lol I can't say much about this.

I do think they could help it for the most part. If you don't want the negative that comes along with it don't accept the positive.

As far as Mckenzie that is not her fault that is her mom for putting them on that show. She is so precious though but I could see how it could get overwhelming for a lot of people and especially her. To each their own I guess. Some of these so called "cheerlebrities" are wonderful people so I don't really feel like we can classify any of them in one single category because they are all so different.

 

[CharlotteASMom]

I'm yet to hear a "cheerlebrity" say they DON'T want their team to be recognized. I agree I'd rather see a "teamlebrity" but to be naive enough to think that individual recognition isn't going to happen, and in some cases, DESERVED, IMO is naive.

I wasn't trying to imply the "cheerlebrity" wants attention diverted away from the team but it does seem to be an unintended consequence. There are some gyms that handle this really well IMO by promoting the team not the individual. Rays Orange comes to mind. While we all know specific kids on the team, I don't feel there is one cheerleader that is a bigger phenomenom than the team itself.

Again I am not criticizing others in this position. My child has never been in that situation and probably never will but for us it wouldn't be something I would endorse or want for her.

 

[Mclovin]

As far as cheerlebrities vs. teamlebrities so to speak...This past year we had 2 cheerlebrities at our gym. They both were 1,000% team oriented. Never once did they try to separate themselves from the team. They accepted the wins with the team and accepted the losses as well and through it all preached teamwork. However, their "fans" have often times made comments that "Obsession should have won worlds because the Love sisters deserve to win"; or "I love Obsession because Whittney gives me life". So from my point of view, it's not the cheerlebrities themselves creating negative attention or drawing attention away from their teammates. It's their fans. But regardless, I am GLAD there are cheerlebrities like the Love sisters that can be role models for the younger generation.