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

[HotcheerJazmine]

Some go on twitter and Facebook and say ''i want to be a cheerlebrity so bad'' ''i want to be famous'' ''help me get followers'' and go on and on about it.

I have more of a problem with the ones begging to be one than the ones who are given the title without asking for it. I mean if they don't ask for it and people consider them a cheerlebrity they clearly deserve it. It's the forcing of it that I don't like, the me me me make me famous make me a cheerlebrity, I want to be one so bad, that I hate. And there's more and more of it.

I definitely see your point!

 

[HotcheerJazmine]

I'm not saying Erica is like that at all. This is just an example (slash just the top of the many pages that follow) of what happens when you put yourself out there. It sucks that these are just regular girls, who are basically stalked. However, by putting videos out there showing your skills (whether it's 2by2, facebook, etc), or anything about your cheer/personal life, your giving these weirdos more to work with. It's not fair for them, but it's what happens.

I really feel bad for them when every single thing that they do is always talked about, or how they can't relax at competitions. I mean I'm sure they KNOW people are going to stalk them and ask for pictures, I think for the most part, they are handling it well!

 

[kristenthegreat]

HERE'S THE THING THOUGH:
This is a new phenomenon, at least in terms of the cheer industry. The internet, social media, and the way we utilize it changes day to day, never mind from year to year.

How long ago did Jay make the first videos of Erica and Maddie and post them? 3 years ago? 4 years ago? More than that? Who honestly and truthfully could have predicted that things would have turned out like this? When this started, maybe people they wanted to see it (distant family members, friends, etc) didn't know how to share video files so they just said 'Oh, well he also puts them up on youtube so you can see it there instead!' Maybe they weren't aware of privacy settings, or maybe they just didn't see why it would be a problem- because again, who could have possibly predicted this? You can say 'How could they not have seen this coming?' but we're looking from our 'Current' perspective of the internet, where social media is a 24/7 thing of epic proportions. We weren't thinking of these things barely 2 years ago, forget about further back than that! At that time, it wasn't really 'putting yourself out there'..it was 'Hey look at this cool video about a girl on a level 5 team! She's really pretty and such a great flyer!'

Just a little something else to keep in mind.

 

[NoOneSpecial]

Fans created role models - the industry created the "Cheerlebrity" phenomenon by utilizing those role models to promote the industry. Sometimes these role models participate in certain projects to be able to give back to their fans. Nothing more nothing less

 

[DJ]

hahaha. Who and what determines which kids are "cheerlebrities" and when this title can be applied? At first this "phenomenon" was a funny thing-- none of these kids really thought they were "celebrities"--, but I could see how it's gotten to be too much, especially as our society has become increasingly attention seeking and "all about me". A lot of kids have many Twitter followers, but that doesn't mean they need to be holding autograph signings.

At least in other sports, "the celebrities" are usually not ever children who are amateur (unpaid) athletes... They are professionals who sign with agents and earn paychecks, prize money, and endorsement deals. Their "celebrity status" often sets them up for life, and they often use this status to do things more important than any sport, such as pumping a good amount of their earned dollars into charitable causes. But obviously very little about being a "cheerlebrity" can help prepare a kid up for adulthood. haha. I'm sure most cheerleaders can remain normal, well-rounded, and down to earth despite their "fame", but I wouldn't be surprised at all if some of these kids are really getting a false sense of reality now. Maddie had bodyguards? Seriously? That makes me feel bad for her. At least she will enjoy college in peace!

I can confirm for you. The body guard rumor is exactly that. False.

 

[ztaprincess]

I think something that could help cut down on the creepy youtube videos made by "fans" or just all around obsession would be for these girls to make their Facebook's PRIVATE and only add people that they know personally. It goes back to the Facebook thread with the fake accounts, these athletes are opening themselves up to it all by keeping their private life open to anyone with a Facebook account. If you aren't a personal friend or family member you have absolutely no need or reason to be a Facebook friend to any of these athletes. The same thing could be said about Twitter and what they post on there. If you are going to post it publically then don't then go back and say you want to keep things private. It is like a friend of mine who got a tattoo with letters for our sorority that have a secret meaning, she posted pictures of it on Facebook and then got upset that people kept asking what it meant. If you wanted it to be private then keep it private not plastered all over social networking sites.
If these athletes are adding anyone to their Facebook or having their account open to everyone then the "i want privacy" excuse isn't really valid.

 

[kyzzles]

Some go on twitter and Facebook and say ''i want to be a cheerlebrity so bad'' ''i want to be famous'' ''help me get followers'' and go on and on about it.

I have more of a problem with the ones begging to be one than the ones who are given the title without asking for it. I mean if they don't ask for it and people consider them a cheerlebrity they clearly deserve it. It's the forcing of it that I don't like, the me me me make me famous make me a cheerlebrity, I want to be one so bad, that I hate. And there's more and more of it.

where have you seen this?

 

[DJ]

where have you seen this?

Ive seen it. From one especially.

 

[kyzzles]

Ive seen it. From one especially.

gotcha

 

[Aussiekat]

I think a lot of them accepted fans before the whole cheerlebrity thing became crazy. Or started accepting fans because it was nice to get some attention for their skills from others, and then it started to get out of hand. I imagine many are now in a bind, if they don't accept friends then everyone thinks they're mean, if they do accept them then they're putting themselves out there, if they make a fan page so they can maintain some privacy in their non-cheer lives then they're asking for attention. These kids will turn 18 and for the most part will fade out of the allstar limelight. We're making mountains out of molehills.

And for what it's worth, I love 2x2s. I think they're a wonderful visual celebration of the sport.

 

[Deleted member 11199]

IMO, I can't stand the title of cheerlebrity... I think it just gives some people a reason to be a snob... Also, they may be talented, but there is always someone just as talented that doesn't get as much recognition... For example, Maddie gardner, she hit a 360 ball up at worlds in 2010. But in 2011, Rachel Barton of platinum athletics hit a 540 ball up and I have not heard one thing about her... (THIS WAS NOT A STAB AT MADDIE OR ANYONE ELSE)

 

[kyzzles]

Fans created role models - the industry created the "Cheerlebrity" phenomenon by utilizing those role models to promote the industry. Sometimes these role models participate in certain projects to be able to give back to their fans. Nothing more nothing less

This is exactly what i said haha. Cheerlebrity isn't a phenomenon but a marketing tool.

 

[armycheermom]

IMO, I can't stand the title of cheerlebrity... I think it just gives some people a reason to be a snob... Also, they may be talented, but there is always someone just as talented that doesn't get as much recognition... For example, Maddie gardner, she hit a 360 ball up at worlds in 2010. But in 2011, Rachel Barton of platinum athletics hit a 540 ball up and I have not heard one thing about her... (THIS WAS NOT A STAB AT MADDIE OR ANYONE ELSE)

Celebrity is just something that some get and some don't....Maddie just has that "it" factor. We all know someone who is a better singer, model, dancer, actress then the ones we see on TV, but they aren't famous...Doesn't mean that person isn't talented, but maybe they just don't have that certain " it" factor people are looking for...

 

[xtremeteal4life]

For the more general question- I think it's inevitable in any sport. It happens all the time and it's just a part of the game.

One a personal note regarding what I believe to be a positive aspect of some of the cheerlebrities, is being a positive role model. My daughter loves Maddie and became a huge Maddie fan after watching her on video, but especially in person at SE practices. She didn't know Maddie was "famous" (for lack of a better word), but she knew that there were qualities she saw in Maddie that she loved and/or admired.

In most cases that would be the end of the story. However, Maddie took the time to get to know my daughter beyond just sneaking a wave to her during practice. Maddie was (is) always so sweet to her and it has been very encouraging. My daughter is a flyer and got hurt last year. Maddie (along with mstealtoyou daughter) helped her overcome her fear. She gave her one of her old bows and CEA tank top (it had been Maddie's when she was my daughter's age), she bought her little presents throughout the season for encouragement (like when she hit a new skill or was discouraged with her performance at a competition). These little things meant (and mean) the world to her and made such a difference during some tougher times. Maddie would often take the time to go watch my daughter's performance (barring her getting mobbed beforehand lol) and tell her how proud of her she was. That is kindness, compassion, dedication to the sport. My daughter is just one person. Granted, we became friends of the Gardner's (I absolutely love Sarah!), but still-my daughter is just one person. She's not the only person to look up to Maddie, nor is she the only person Maddie has treated w/such kindness.

I could go on and on, but I'm sure plenty of you would get sick of hearing about it -so I'll leave it at that;What do I think of cheerlebrities? I think just like any sport, they can have a positive or negative influence over adolescents and children. I'm fortunate that I had the privilege to experience one who has such a positive influence on kids. Instead of posting about boys and where she was eating every 5 min., she was posting about someone who had written, emailed, messaged her, etc. I am also fortunate that there are so many girls at CEA to whom I can attributes many of these same qualities (like mstealtoyou daughters and quite a few others). We often talk about how we don't like the aspect of such young girls being on the same team as 16-18 yr olds, but I truly do not worry about that as much at our gym. It may seem that way on the surface to some people I'm sure, but really many of those girls are so precocious and are always studying, cheering, or competing. So the aspect of cheerlebrities doesn't bother me. Even if we're talking about another gym- let's say Kiara Nowlin from Cali. If my daughter looked up to her bc of her athleticism and talent w/tumbling, and had a poster of her on her wall as opposed to Miley Cyrus, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't bother me (in fact, I'd probably prefer it).

 

[xtremeteal4life]

Not a fan of it at all and I would be one parent that would politely decline anything like that offered to my child in any sport or hobby HOWEVER that's my decison for my child. I try and not judge what others choose to do with thier own children as every situation and family is different.

I do wonder though if this sudden rise of achieving cheerlebrity status has spawned these crazy recruiting seasons that we have seen lately? Athletes are joining gyms at great lengths based on what they can do for thier public image as opposed to what they can do for them on the cheer floor. I'm not sure I like the direction it's taken but will be interested to see how it all plays out.

Or so you think...maybe they're just better gyms and have more to offer. Different perspective..