Well, for the celebrities that are to follow, all that had a 180-degree shift as they are now big stars on the big and small screens, living the superstar lives that they were due even back in the day. Put your pompoms together for our third installment of A-listers and their former cheer careers.
Phyllis Smith
Who knew the woman who voiced the Sadness character in Pixar’s “Inside Out” was once a cheerful cheerleader for the St. Louis Cardinals? Phyllis Smith has had quite a life - from dancer and burlesque performer to beloved character on “The Office” it's clear she has a talent for the entertainment industry.
Netflix fans, you probably recognize her for her role as Allen on the critically-acclaimed series, "The OA." Back in the 70s and 80s, Smith was also a known party girl. St.Louis born comes from a large family of nine siblings, and she is the second in line.
Bonnie-Jill Laflin
Bonnnie-Jill Laflin is a cheerleading veteran who really took her show on the road: she’s been a cheerleader for three of America's biggest sports teams - Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. She grew up in San Fran Sisco, California. Her father was a law enforcement officer and took her first footsteps in the modeling world alongside her mother.
Nothing could keep Bonnie focused on a single industry; not long after being an NBA sideline regular, this cheery starlet went on to land some prime acting roles in movies like “Orange County” and the TV series “Cold Pizza. Nowadays, Laflin is a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers. Not bad at all.
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell has taken Hollywood by storm, scoring roles in a host of big-name films like “Burlesque” and “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” In 2016, she adorned the wide screen and splashed her remarkable dancing talent in the huge hit "La La Land."
This Massachusetts native is no stranger to stardom - Heading back to her New England roots at just 17 years old, Sarah made history as one of the youngest NFL cheerleaders in history, taking on both The Patriots and the New York Knicks, until ending up with an unforgettable Super Bowl performance. Among many other things she is involved in these days, she is also a dance instructor, preparing the new dancing generation for the industry.
Lisa Guerrero
From the sidelines to the screen, Lisa Guerrero has been in the sports and entertainment industry for many years. This professional cheerleader started it all with a stint in the Los Angeles Rams back in the 80s. Then she became the Entertainment Director of NFL teams like the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots.
Since then, Guerrero has become an anchor for “Sports Geniuses,” “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” “Monday Night Football,” and more recently joined “Inside Edition” as their Chief Investigative Correspondent. That’s not even mentioning her various acting credits, including Hollywood hits like “Moneyball” and “Batman Returns.”
Jenilee Harrison
For fans of the classic sitcom “Three's Company,” she needs no introduction - Jenilee Harrison is as iconic to them as her character Chrissy was. But before gracing our screens with leading roles in some of the most memorable shows from the 80s, such as “Murder, She Wrote” and “Dallas,” this blonde bombshell got her start on a different stage: cheerleading for the Los Angeles Rams!
In fact, it was undoubtedly those pom-poms that eventually helped land one of her first-ever acting gigs – an appearance in “CHiPS.” These days she invests her time in real estate and lives happily with her husband of more than three decades, Bruce Oppenheim ( Cybill Shepherd's ex).
Sarah Shahi
Sarah Shahi is the perfect example of the fact that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Growing up in Texas, this actress and beauty queen was in the spotlight from an early age - even going so far as winning Miss Fort Worth back in 1997.
After this win, Shahi became a part of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad, and although it was foreign territory for our Persian-American gal, some serious pageant training coupled with ambition saw her through. She then succeeded in Hollywood too, landing roles in hit shows like “Chicago Fire” and “The L Word.”
Anjelah Johnson
Before she was known for her hilarious stand-up specials on MadTV, Anjelah Johnson had a rather different game in mind – cheerleading! After spending several years as an Oakland Raiderette and riling up the crowd, this talented comedienne has always kept that cheery spirit alive. In fact, she’s referenced her cheerleading days in her comedy sketches several times.
We can’t help but wonder if her beloved signature ponytail hairdo came from her days as a cheerleader. These days, she does what she does best. She makes us laugh. She performs regularly as a standup comedian and can't see herself doing anything else in life. Those pompom days are over.
George H. W. Bush
Just like his father before him, the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, was also Yale alumni and cheerleader. It seems that attending Yale wasn’t enough in the Bush family, you also had to join the cheerleading squad and the infamous Skull and Bones secret society. It's probably part of the deal. If you want to rule the free world, you have to know how to cheer with pompoms first.
Bush senior also joined a fraternity, was made captain of the university’s baseball team, and completed his studies in two years instead of four. Now that’s ambition.
Prescott Sheldon Bush
Successful banker, Wall Street powerhouse, and former Senator of Connecticut for a decade, Prescott Sheldon Bush was a man of many talents. Bush's dynasty would grow and introduce to the world great politicization, number one citizens of the United States, and leaders of the free world. Some of them, with a great cheerleading talent too.
The grandfather of former president George W. Bush became president of the Yale Glee Club when attending Yale University and also served as a college cheerleader and varsity golf and baseball player. Somehow it’s hard to imagine George W. Bush’s grandpa jumping and singing in a squad uniform.
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis was a comedy legend, leading an incredibly varied career that saw him become one of the most prominent figures in popular culture. Partnering with singer Dean Martin to form the famous “Martin and Lewis” comedy duo, he went on to enjoy amazing success as a headliner stage act, top-grossing actor, TV personality, and even filmmaker. And you can add cheerleaders to that list as well.
Lewis, otherwise known as “The King of Comedy,” was a cheerleader at Irvington High School when he was a teenager. With his performing talents, we imagine it must’ve been a sight to see him cheer at school games.
Raquel Welch
The legendary Raquel Welch became known as one of the world’s most stunning women after her appearance in the 1966 film “One Million Years B.C.,” where she appeared in the infamous doe-skin bikini. After that, Hollywood and the world opened up for this Chicago-born beauty, and the world was never the same.
Welch had always loved dancing and performing, enrolling in ballet classes at seven years old. Not surprisingly, she also made the cheerleading team at her school when she was 15 years old, and she was probably the reason why everybody attended the Vikings High School football games. In the early days of 2023, the beautiful 82 year old woman passed away.
Jennie Garth
Iconic American actress Jennie Garth rose to fame with her role as Kelly Taylor in the hit 1990s show, ‘Beverly Hills 90210”. Every young girl wanted to be Kelly (or Brneda) more than they wanted to be a cheerleader. She then went on to land roles in other popular sitcoms such as ‘What I Like About You”, and “Melrose Place.”
But this gorgeous Illinois-born blonde had been a star since she was young and exploded into the public eye tossing her pompoms when at Sunburst Middle School. Garth has come a long way, starring in her own reality TV show, writing a published memoir, and continuing to appear in TV films to this day.
Shannon Elizabeth
No 90s kid, or anyone for that matter, will ever forget that scene in “American Pie” with Jim and Nadia. This was the role that catapulted gorgeous actress Shannon Elizabeth to fame, making her a teenage icon and symbol of the early 2000s. But this Texan has loved being in the spotlight from a young age, as she was a cheerleader while attending Waco High School in the early 90s.
Despite the fact she’s mostly known as an actress, Elizabeth is also an amazing tennis player, a dedicated animal rights activist, and a killer poker player! So much talent in one beautiful woman.
Jennifer Hawkins
Jennifer Hawkins is known for being a former Miss Universe (2004), an A-list Australian model, a TV personality, and a brand ambassador for Myer department stores and Range Rover. Hawkins is also famous for hosting “Australia’s Next Top Model.” In 2013 Hawkins married her then-partner Jake Wall, and in 2019, they welcomed their first child into the world and in 2021, she had her second baby.
But before all the glitz and glamour, Hawkins was a cheerleader for the Newcastle Knights rugby team and the famous Hunter Pirates basketball team. Not to mention her squad when she attended West Wallsend High School.
Britney Spears
What is there to say about Britney Spears that hasn't been said before? She has been named The Princess of Pop (Maddona, the Queen of Pop successor), and her name has been associated with more scandals than we can remember. Together with all the great hits she released and dazzling performances on stages all over the world, Spears began her career as a cheerleader.
Like many other celebs and many other women who grew up not to be celebs, Spears spend her high school days cheering and paving her first steps towards a promising and outrageous career. She is for sure one of the greatest names n this list.
Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes is best known for her role as Joey Potter in the TV show Dawson's Creek, her astonishing performance in "Disturbing Behaviour" and "Phone Booth" and how can we forget her marriage to Hollywood star Tom Cruise. At first, their marriage was a true fairy tail however it turned into one of the most talked about relationships in the industry.
When Katie was just six years old, she found herself cheering her older sister on the basketball court. This was obviously not a professional high school or college cheering, however, she has pompoms in her hands and a great big smile on her face, as far as we are concerned, she has a place on honor on our list.
Jessica Alba
Ever since she can remember, Jessica Alba wanted to be a superstar. She trained to become a professional gymnast for almost 15 years, however, life had different plans for her. She moved to Los Angeles hoping to kickstart her acting career, however, when that failed to succeed, she became a cheerleader for NFL’s LA Raiders.
She has been adorning our screens for years, and she is considered a respectable businesswoman, actress, and model. She is known for her roles in "Barely Lethal," "Meet Bill," and "The Killer Inside Me." These days she focuses less on acting and more on business, and in 2012she launched The Honest Company, which specializes in chemical-free baby products
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow has been publicly active for more than 40 years. She was born in 1962 in Missouri to a piano teacher, a mother, and a lawyer father. She has politician blood running down her veins, being the granddaughter of congressman Charles A. Crow. Oh, and in her younger years, she was a cheerleader too. This was before she fell in love with music.
She began her music profession as a music teacher (following her mother's footsteps), however, at night, she would perform and escalate her career. Since then, she has been releasing hit after hit, all coated in folk, country, and pop relish.
Kiana Tom
The known and loved television host and fitness goddess began her cheering days when she was still just a teen. She carries numerous titles, all enriching and adorning the woman she is. She is a recipient of The United States Sports Academy award, she published "Kiana's Body Sculpting," a guide for body improvement, and for two seasons, she was a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders.
And these days, not much had changed. She is a role model for many, being a fitness authority many follow. Her fitness show reached more than 80 million homes across the country, and she hasn't said her last word yet.
Apollonia Kotero
For the more mature generation reading these lines, Apollonia Kotero is best known for her role in Prince's film "Purple Rian." She was the lead singer of Apollonia 6 and had adorned magazine pages with her ravishing modeling career. In 1991 Kotero starred in "Black Magic Women," and the list of her performances goes on and on.
In her younger years, she won the San Pedro Beauty Competition, which followed her days as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams. From there, the path to success was clear and certain, so she said goodbye to her pompoms and embraced her promising future.
Paula Deen
Paula Deen is so many things. She is a cook, a television personality, an author, and a businesswoman( she operates her privately owned restaurant, The Lady & Sons, and Paula Deen's Creek House ) together with her sons, and in her bright and glorious younger days, she was a cheerleader. These were the days when the skirts were slightly BELOW the knee.
Paula Deen's name has been associated with a number of scandals, most of them concerning the amount of sugar she uses in her recipes. Deen is not known for her healthy diet, however no one can argue about the deliciousness of her food.
Olivia Wilde
While Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, doesn't have a cheerleading team, it does have a “step team,” which is apparently exactly like a cheerleading team, but it has a different name. However, according to Olivia Wilde, stepping is “another form of cheering. If you say so, Wilde.
Wilde is incredibly famous, well-known around the world as a beauty and an actress, but she isn't the most famous person from her school or even from her “step team” – that honor belongs to former president George W. Bush, who has much older photographs that feature him wearing a similar outfit to the one Olivia is sporting here.
Kirstie Alley
There must be something about cheerleading that helps on the path to acting. Is it physical training? Is spending time convincing people to think a certain thing? Is it just a correlation? Whatever the reason, yet another famous actress, the late Kirstie Alley, cheered at her school, the Wichita Southeast High School in Kansas. Maybe it's the thing to do, or maybe cheering makes auditioning later on that much easier, how else can you explain the great success theses former cheerleaders have achieved?
After dropping out of Kansas State, she moved to Hollywood and proceeded to make it big, acting in the famous sitcom 'Cheers', and much more. She's even successfully gotten out of Scientology.
Miley Cyrus
Since she's the daughter of famous country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, it's no surprise Miley has made her way into the spotlight time and time again. Before she even appeared as the dual-living character in "Hannah Montana," seven-year-old Cyrus was already getting eyes on her as a cheerleader for the Tennessee Premiere soccer team in her Franklin hometown.
Performing is in her blood, but even the biggest names on this list usually get their start in high school, but not Miley – she was ready to start her career before even hitting ten. She is one of the youngest stars to succeed so tremendously and remain on top of the list for so many years.
Kendall Jenner
While most of the names on this list used cheerleading as a way to build skills, get noticed, or start performing, for the famous Kendall Jenner, the opposite is true. This ultra-famous (for some reason) gal sometimes felt all the fame get to her and would escape from the limelight by donning a blue and white uniform and shaking a few pom poms.
As a member of the varsity squad of Sierra Canyon School, Kendall used this high school activity to, ironically, forget about being in the public eye instead of escaping into the world of competitive dance. Some have it all.
Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin has been a gut-busting comedienne for a long time, and unlike the picture of Streep, it might be hard to tell who it is in this picture, but it is indeed the redheaded joker at a young and spry seventeen years old. She's come a long way since she was atop the pyramid as part of Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois.
There's no doubt she added plenty of spirit to her team's spirit squad. She’s also had a number of movie credits, including "The Cable Guy," "Her Minor Thing," "Suddenly Susan," and many animated movies to which she contributed her voice.
Dakota Fanning
Yet another actress on the list that took things the wrong way around: Dakota Fanning was acting long before she became a cheerleader during high school. There were plenty of roles to choose from for this young actress, including on television shows like 'ER', 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation', 'The Practice', 'Spin City', 'Ally McBeal', and 'The Ellen Show'.
Already a well-known name in Hollywood, when Fanning returned to her education and the more social aspects of school, she also joined the varsity cheerleading squad at Campbell Hall School – and she was voted the homecoming queen, to nobody's surprise at all.
Rashida Jones
Life is all about balance, which may be why Rashida Jones has ended up so successful. She not only shook her pom poms during her grade school days, but she was also part of the math club and a member of the National Honor Society. Jones was born to an actress mother and a musician father, which explain has this beauty is so gifter and successful.
She seemed to do everything as a kid, which helped her land roles starting with "Myth America" in 1998, and including "The Muppets," "The Social Network," "I Love You, Man," and "Toy Story 4" for which she was a co-story writer.
Blake Lively
To the surprise of her actor father and talent scout mother, Blake Lively wasn't originally interested in performing, preferring a quiet life out of the spotlight. But eventually, her genetics, or maybe enough begging from mom and dad, won out.
While Blake was taking classes at Burbank High School, she not only had to leave time for homework but also for her cheerleading, as well as working as an actress for the movie 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants', the first of many movies she has appeared in, which include 'The Town', and 'The Shallows'. She’s also had some big TV roles, including 'Gossip Girl'.
Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Decker might still look like a teenager even now that she's in her thirties, so how young must she have looked when she was attending and cheering for Butler High School in Charlotte, North Carolina? The model-turned-actress was also the school's senior class president before going on to become a world-famous name and face, appearing in blockbuster movies such as "Just Go With It," "Battleship," "What to Expect When You're Expecting," and 'Stretch."
She's also had plenty of appearances on television shows such as "Grace and Frankie," "New Girl," and "Friends with Better Lives," and the future ahead looks promising.
Madonna
Before she became the Queen of Pop, Madonna was the child of blue-collar Italian immigrants, attending Rochester Adams High School. Like Fergie, she was a straight-A student and a member of the cheerleading squad, proving she's more than a pretty face. She's also, as you may be surprised to know, a natural brunette, and it's a shame she decided to pull pop culture toward the blonde.
Madonna dropped out of the University of Michigan (even after getting a dance scholarship) and moved to New York City in 1978 to become a pop star. The word success hardly describes what this woman has done, and there are no words to define her achievements.
Melissa Rycroft
While in high school, Miss Rycroft was part of the...drill squad. Didn't see that one coming, did you? However, Rycroft was so good at her chosen activity she went on to lead the squad and then become a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. They were more new and exciting things lying ahead for Rycroft, and being a cheerleader was just the start of things.
Her TV debut came from CMT's "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team," but she has also appeared on "The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars." She's also appeared as a host on CMT's "Redneck Island," and there is more to come.
Rachael Ray
Years before she was on your TV screen whipping up some delicious food, Rachael Ray led the cheers at the Lake George High School in Lake George, New York. While tossing the pompoms on the court, Ray never imagined that her career would end up going on such a different path.
While Rachael nowadays spends her time creating magic in the kitchen or appearing on multiple shows for the Food Network, she used to shake the poms with the best of them, adding her smile and shouts to the team. She even has her name on her own line of kitchenware.
Lucy Hale
Lucy Hale is famous for her role as Aria Montgomery in "Pretty Little Liars", but before she showed up on your screens, she was a cheerleader for a great deal of her life. She's also been singing and acting since she was young, even appearing on the show "American Juniors" as a competitor.
She first added her skills to movies with "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" in 2008 and has only gone on to bigger and better things since. Believe it or not, her first love is music, and while it may not be what most people remember her for, she released an album in 2014, "Road Between."
Samuel L. Jackson
Here's one you probably didn't predict showing up on this list. The Big L was part of the cheerleading squad at Morehouse College, and by his own admission, he joined the squad to meet more women. There's just one problem there, Sam: Morehouse was an all-boys college.
Jackson originally was attending college to get a degree in marine biology, but after joining an acting troupe for class credit, a switch flipped, he changed majors, and he ended up getting a Bachelor of Arts in Drama degree. Movie history began, and we’ve been enjoying this energetic actor for years now, and apparently, there is more on its way.
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen was born in Utah. Her mother is from Thailand, and her father is an American with a Swedish background. This all explains the dazzling features this beauty has. Teigen has a long history of making the internet go wild with every picture she posts, but even before she was a famous model, she danced with the rest of the cheerleading team at Snohomish High School.
She posted an Instagram picture of herself with a few of her old teammates in the Panthers' red and white uniform, and her eye-catching black hair and heart-stopping smile are already on display.
Christina Aguilera
Before she was a world-famous diva, the beautiful and talented singer Christina Aguilera used to cheer her little heart out at North Allegheny Intermediate High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And right after her cheerleading career, she joined Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club," which was just the beginning of a wildly successful career.
In 1999, Aguilera broke music records with her hit track, "Genie in a Bottle." Her career skyrocketed after that, and this music star went on to produce several albums, win five Grammys, and even act in major blockbusters like "Burlesque." Fun Fact; her first television appearance was on "Star Search" in 1990.
Katie Couric
Katie Couric is famous the world over for journalism, thanks to appearing as the global anchor for "Yahoo! News" and "60 Minutes", two of the most famous news programs around. But this famous news face spent plenty of her time as a cheerleader at the various high schools she attended as a teen, in and around Arlington, Virginia.
She certainly had some moves back in the day, as you can see from the picture here, and she's already working on her journalist's smile, too. She is the founder of her own news production company, "Katie Couric Media," which led to her being introduced to the Television Hall of Fame.
George W. Bush
If someone would have told you that the highest-ranked position in the country, the president of the United States of America, could start his or her political career as a cheerleader, we have a feeling some brows would rise. Former U.S. President George W. Bush wasn't always a senior man in the White House.
Before he was one of the most recognized men on Earth, Bush was a preppy cheerleader at the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He cheered with a megaphone, was the head cheerleader of his squad during senior year, and also played baseball. He went on to attend Yale University and Harvard Business School, which eventually led him to the coveted position of president of the free world.
Kylie Jenner
Sisters often do things together, and the Kardashians, as many know, are no exception. Kendall was a cheerleader, and so was Kylie. She was eventually homeschooled, but before that, Kylie was on the cheer squad at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California.
She may have been a cast member of the most well-known reality TV shows in the history of reality TV, but Kylie also had moments where she was just a regular high schooler. Today, however, she’s still known as a reality star and a businesswoman. The member of one of the most famous families on TV is the fourth runner-up on the most followers on Instagram list, which turned her into a social media queen.
Emma Chamberlain
YouTuber Emma Chamberlain took her cheerleading very seriously and was considered a competitive cheerleader. She described herself as a “sassy” cheerleader who was on the California All-Stars Pink cheer squad. These days she is a globally known Internet personality, and in 2018 she grasped the Streamy Award for Breakout Creator.
Emma was in competitive cheerleading for five years and was also on her high school team but was later dismissed for an undisclosed reason. But today, the twenty-year-old influencer and businesswoman is bust with other ventures and is worth about 8 million dollars, so it’s doubtful she misses those cheerleading days!
Ronald Reagan
There are a number of political figures on this list, but it may not be surprising to see Ronald Reagan here, considering he went on to be an actor before becoming the 40th President of the United States. It still amazes us how so many politicians, in general, and former presidents, in particular, tried the arts before turning to the serious stuff.
In his youth, Reagan was a member of the cheer squad at Eureka College in Illinois. But he was also a jock too and was the captain of the swim team and on the football team. It seems Reagan was never afraid to be front and center.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
A leader of the free world who at one time revved up sports fans with their enthusiasm, Franklin Roosevelt was a cheerleader at Harvard University. The Ivy League cheerleader was on the squad for three years in total, from 1900 to 1903. It's difficult to imagine Roosevelt (or any other man) in a cheerleader suit however, back in the day, the uniforms were slightly different than what we know today.
Despite his athletic past, Roosevelt sadly developed polio later in his life and was wheelchair-bound even during his presidency. There was no cure for his paralysis (which was from the waist down), but he was able to find some relief through hydrotherapy.
Mitt Romney
Here is a politician who was involved in cheerleading, Mitt Romney. Well, technically, the former Republican presidential candidate was in the Pep club, but at least he showed some school spirit! Romney has had his share of scandals in American politics, however, we are here to cover his former days as part of the squad.
Unfortunately for Romney, he received some light chastisement while he was on the campaign trail for his former cheerleading. It seems that while cheerleading is considered primarily a feminine activity today, in decades past no one thought any differently of guys and girls cheerleading together. Hopefully, this idea will soon be revived.
Rick Perry
The former secretary of energy and former governor of Texas has been known to the public for more than two decades and not because of his political career. The two-time presidential candidate who attended Texas A & M University Texan governor likes to say that he wasn’t actually a cheerleader but a “yell leader” maybe this description sounds better to him?
Texas A & M is actually a military-type university, and being a cheer, um, we mean yell leader, is actually a position of honor. Perry was chosen for the position through the votes of his peers and ended up becoming “the face” of the athletic department. Seems his early life was political even before he entered politics.
Trent Lott
The former Mississippi Senator was very busy while attending Mississippi State University. He was not only a cheerleader but was also an Ole Miss representative and President of the Sigma Nu Chapter. Besides being a politician, Lott is an author and lawyer, and as it turns out, a cheerleader too.
Cheerleading seems to be nearly a prerequisite to entering the political field later on in life. Perhaps it’s the need to lead a crowd with an optimistic attitude that attracts so many future politicians to cheerleading. Lott was on the team with another future senator, Thad Cochran. Give me an L, give me an O, give me a T, give me a T.
Kay Bailey Hutchison
The Republican Texan senator had her stint as a cheerleader while she was at the University of Texas - Austin. Hutchison was 19 when she was on the squad and eventually graduated from the University with her Bachelor’s degree. Initially, the Texas-born attorney, TV correspondent, diplomat, and politician wasn't planning on a political career at all.
Before entering the political world, Hutchison was a cheerleader (if only for a brief time) for the Texas Longhorns! An exclusive opportunity for almost any young woman and especially for the woman who would go on to be the first female Texan to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Pioneer Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a very full life. Ginsberg made history as the first Jewish woman (and the second woman in history) to land a place as a Supreme Court Justice. She began her public life as a lawyer and jurist, dedicated her life to law, and served as an associate justice for the supreme court for almost three decades.
One of the faces of feminism, Ginsburg did also dip her feet into cheerleading when she attended Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York. At that age, she would have never imagined that she would go on to be worth about $18.1 million as a Supreme Court Justice.
Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart certainly had a life outside of and before he was an actor. He chose to enter into the latter part of World War II and later became a colonel in the Army Air Corps. He even participated in 20 combat missions that led to a handful of medals. He had a distinctive drawl which he was known and loved for.
But, before that, he was a cheerleader. While he attended Princeton, Stewart decided to join the cheerleading squad for both his junior and senior years. Seems like being part of a team was hardwired into the famous actor.
Hilarie Burton
Actress Hilarie Burton played a cheerleader on the teen soap opera, "One Tree Hill," but she was also one in real life. Showing a lot of school spirit, Burton was homecoming queen during her senior year, student council president, and, of course, in the cheer squad. Burton had touched so many fields in life, and she is a respected producer, businesswoman, and author.
Burton went on to star in a handful of other projects and was a host on Total Request Live. These days she enjoys the quiet life with her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and their kids, but never forgets where she came from.
Megyn Kelly
Known for her steely demeanor and sharp interview skills, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had a preppier side back in high school. Before she was the “never back down” reporter, she was a cheerleader in a small-town high school.
Born in Illinois to a nurse and a college professor, Megyn Kelly was a cheerleader throughout her time in high school. But she would soon leave those days behind and later graduate from Syracuse University with a law degree. Kelly credits her days as a lawyer for helping her keep her cool when interviewing tough subjects, alongside a podcast and talk show she hosts.
Camille Kostek
Model Camille Kostek was a cheerleader in high school before becoming a familiar face for brands like Reebok. After playing lacrosse in college as well as joining the dance squad, Kostek went on to be a professional cheerleader, and she gained global awareness when she first appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine.
At the age of 19, she began as a cheerleader for the Hartford Colonials in the United Football League. She later made it onto the New England Patriots cheer team. She retired in 2015 and went on to be a host on various TV shows for CBS, ABC, and Fox.
Brooke Hogan
Model, singer, and reality star Brooke Hogan was already used to the spotlight. As the daughter of wrestler “Hulk” Hogan, she was naturally set to star in the family’s reality series, "Hogans Knows Best." Brooke has prooven that she does not need her father's connections for making it big, and she stands tall in her own right.
Brooke was a high school cheerleader while attending school in Clearwater, Florida. She also made an appearance alongside her dad in a WWE special in 2015. Today, Brooke has a decorating company that caters to Airbnb. But she is also still focused on her music career and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
That's right! The 34th President of America also knew how to bring it on. Giving hope to all the current cheerleaders with presidential aspirations, put your hands together for Dwight D. Eisenhower! The statesman and military officer was the one to establish NASA and always worked to keep America in peace even through challenging days and when uncertainty was in the air.
The former president didn't start out as a member of the squad. Instead, he first joined his West Point school's football team. He had his sight set on football until an injury made him change course and join the cheerleaders.
Moon Bloodgood
Nebraskan actress Moon Bloodgood had her breakthrough moment after landing the role of Lt. Blair Williams in 2009’s “Terminator Salvation.” She also starred in the hit TNT TV show “Falling Skies” and is a regular guest on “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Se is a natural beauty who has made it big and begun her public appearances on the court, like so many others.
But before this American beauty was on our screens, she did some cheering for the Los Angeles Lakers when she was a young 17-year-old. Bloodgood was the youngest girl on the cheerleading squad and clearly a very talented dancer. She was also a backup dancer for the famous musician Prince.
Fergie
The former leader of the famous hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, Fergie has certainly enjoyed success as a solo artist. Despite her crazy outfits and sometimes excessive makeup, she’s become a beloved American icon in the last decade. In 2006, her debut album "The Dutches" went wild and adorned the Billboard Hot 100 list three times with "London Bridge," Glamorous," and "Big Girls Don't Cry."
This icon used to be a cheerleader in high school, which isn’t hard to believe. Apart from cheering, Fergie was also a champion at Spelling Bee competitions, a Girl Scout, and an honor roll student. Go Fergie!
Halle Berry
Hollywood star Halle Berry needs no introduction; from her brilliant performance in “Swordfish,” “Monster’s Ball,” and “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” to becoming one of the most stunning Bond girls, Berry has wowed us all. She participated in several beauty contests ( we can see why) and came in 6th place in Miss Word 1986. Her breakthrough, however, was in 1992, when the movie "Boomerang" came out.
To top it all off, Berry was also a cheerleader in high school and quite a spirited one at that. This stunning actress was also in the honor society and class president. Is there anything this superwoman can’t do?
Stephanie Seymour
The gorgeous model and actress Stephanie Seymour rose to fame during the 80s and 90s after becoming one of the world’s most famous supermodels. She made the cover of Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and several other magazines, joining the ranks of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington. In 2017 went solo when she launched her own private line of woman's lingerie together with presenting various cosmetic lines and clothing companies.
This former Victoria’s Secret Angel was also a cheerleader during her high school days in San Diego, California. In fact, if you go to her Instagram, you’ll find a very cute post showing her in wide glasses, short hair, and huge pom poms.
Jill Marie Jones
Before playing real estate princess Toni Childs in the TV show “Girlfriends” and landing other minor film and television gigs, Jill Marie Jones was already a star on the sidelines. For one year only, between 2015 and 2016, Jones played the role of Amanda Fisher in the horror comedy series, "Ash vs Evil Dead."
This Texas girl was a cheerleader in high school and went on to cheer for her hometown sports teams as well – the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys. Undoubtedly, this helped catapult her acting career and get her recognition in the entertainment industry. You go, girl!
Teri Hatcher
California native Teri Hatcher became a household name after starring in the role of Lois Lane in 1993’s “The New Adventures of Superman.” Then she became Susan Mayer in the hit show “Desperate Housewives,” but before all this, Hatcher was a cheerleader for none other than the epic San Francisco 49ers.
Also of note is that Hatcher had her cheerleading stint back in the 1980s, which meant that she was cheering for the 49ers when they had the legendary Joe Montana as a quarterback! In recent years Hatcher has starred in the romcom "Mid Life Crises" and, in 2023, returned to "Fantasy Island."
Charisma Carpenter
Once a sought-after star from popular TV shows like “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” “Veronica Mars,” “Charmed,” and “Angel,” Charisma Carpenter’s start to her impressive career started by being a cheerleader for the famous San Diego Chargers.
She also did a stint in modeling, gracing famous magazine covers and TV commercials. Most recently, she’s appeared in the popular TV drama “Lucifer,” The CW sci-fi series “Pandora,” and “The Expendables” film series. In the past few years, Charisma has been relatively quiet and hadn't received any significant job offer, however, she has been participating in several podcasts. Who knows, maybe the next offer is just around the corner.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz may have only become famous after starring in 1994's 'The Mask,' alongside Jim Carrey, but during her teen years, she was already on her way, appearing as a fashion model for brands such as Calvin Klein and Levi's. But even before all of that, this famous blonde was a top cheerleader at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
There's nothing like pretending to be excited about basketball to help build your acting skills. Since then, she has adorned our screens in "There's Something About Mary" (1998), "Charlie's Angels" (2000), and "Being John Malkovich" (1999), leaving the wild court days behind.
Diane Sawyer
Born only a few months after the end of World War II, Sawyer once revealed she felt overshadowed by her older sister. That all changed when cheerful, blonde Diane joined the cheerleaders at Seneca High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and then she started to gain attention after a lifetime of living like a loner.
After cheerleading, Sawyer spent three years promoting the Coca-Cola Pavilion at the World's Fair and began appearing on television in 1978. In 1981 she was a co-anchor of CBS Morning News and in 1984 a correspondent for 60 minutes. She remains on TV today, still showing up on ABC news.
Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn spent a great deal of her life in Japan, where her stepfather was stationed in the Air Force. However, when her mother and stepfather split up, Olivia returned to her mother's home in Oklahoma, where she cheered as part of the Putnam City North High School squad. She went to school for journalism and moved to Los Angeles to pursue show business.
This combo led her to become the host of 'Attack of the Show', which discussed pop culture, general news, and previews of video games, movies, and digital media. She has since jumped to movies, playing Psylocke in 'X-Men: Apocalypse.'
Ciara
Ciara Princess Wilson, now known just as Ciara, acted as the captain of Riverdale High School's cheerleading squad and has gone on record saying she loves everything about the sport: the dancing, the energy, and the excitement.
In an interview, the famous R&B singer said: “Unfortunately, I couldn't be as involved as I wanted to be because it was the year when my music started to become even more important to me.” It turns out the music was worth it, since she has multiple platinum albums, with millions of copies sold.
Kirsten Dunst
She had the main role as cheerleader Torrance Shipman in the movie "Bring It On, "and it should come as a shock to nobody that Kirsten Dunst was a real-life pom girl all the way up until the movie came out. Its as if she practiced her future roles on a real-life basketball court
Dunst signed with the Ford Modeling Agency at an unbelievable three years old, while she was living in New Jersey, and appeared in over a hundred commercials before her big break. As her career grew, she was a cheerleader at Laurel High School and Notre Dame High School.
Eva Longoria
Unlike many of the names on this list, cheerleading wasn't just a fun activity for Mexican-American actress Eva Longoria. For her, it led directly to her Hollywood career. Not everyone is born to a celeb parent, and some actually work their way to the top. While cheering at Roy Miller High School in Corpus Cristi, Texas, and at Texas A&M-Kingsville, Longoria appeared in pageants and won the Miss Corpus Cristi pageant in 1988.
Soon after, a theatrical agent in Los Angeles discovered her, and the rest is history. Longoria is best known as Gabrielle Solis in the ABC series "Desperate Housewives."
Kathie Lee Gifford
Kathie Lee Gifford was a cheerleader by the age of fourteen, having been born in Paris but moved to Bowie, Maryland, by the age of four. This future famous name won Maryland's Junior Miss Pageant in 1970, which gave her a springboard to stardom.
After graduating from high school, Gifford went to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and studied drama and music. For more than eleven years, Lee starred on the "Today" show which brought her to a nation's awareness. After a fifteen-year run on 'Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee', there aren't many people who don't recognize this cheerleader.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is one of Hollywood's leading ladies, much-loved the world over thanks to her kind demeanor, her acting prowess, and cheerfulness. One sleuth managed to dig up her high school yearbook in 2012 and found photographic evidence that Streep was a varsity cheerleader at Bernards High School in New Jersey.
The picture features Streep – instantly recognizable – wearing her classic cheer uniform and sporting a kind smile. She went on to make her mark with the help of blockbusters like "The Devil Wears Prada," "Out of Africa," and "Doubt" however, her most remarkable role was, without a doubt "Sophie's Choice," which brought her numerous awards.
Sandra Bullock
Wow, another award-winning actress who got her start as a cheerleader. Sandra Bullock has been in numerous incredible movies and television shows, but guess what? She was once a cheerleader. She led pep rallies at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia.
However, Bullock already had her eye on the prize since she was a big part of the school's theater productions before graduating in 1982. Sandra certainly wasn't blind-sided by fame, if her personality is any indication – that time in high school got her started young. She has since adorned our screen in "The Proposal" and "Speed," making her one of the most successful women in the industry.
Steve Martin
You've certainly seen Steve in some of his blockbuster comedy films, thanks to a career that has spanned more than five decades. "Three Amigos" and "Cheaper by The Dozev" are only some of the hysterical pieces. Before he grew to fame in the sixties, he was a member of his high school cheerleading squad in Garden Grove, California.
The man who would go on to become one of the most beloved and famous funny-men in the world also tried his hand at writing cheers for the squad to perform, but they ended up not using them for one reason or another. Don't worry, young Steve, your time will come.
Denise Richards
When you think of Denise Richards, you think of fashion, you think of "Starship Troopers" or "Wild Things" however, there is a lot more to this beauty. Before becoming a cheerleader for El Camino High School in Oceanside, California, Denise Richards was an athletic Illinois Tomboy. Once moving beyond schooling, Richards took the nineties by storm in shows like "Saved By The Bell" and 'Married with Children," before meeting her now ex-husband Charlie Sheen.
If you've ever wondered how Sheen learned how to spell "winning," we may have just discovered the answer. Richards has recently appeared in 'Reality Queen!', "My Adventures with Santa," and 'Adventures of Dally & Spanky."
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa has always had an affinity for performance while growing up in southern New Jersey, and when she attended Eastern Regional High School, she became a cheerleader with a winning smile. Her drama teacher, Jim Beckley, encouraged her to pursue acting, and Ripa found her calling in life.
She dropped out of college, landing a major role in the soap opera "All My Children." She's gone on to do plenty during her long career, including appearing as the host of "Live With Kelly and Ryan." Ripa has always seen herself under the limelight. A profession in acting, modeling, and cheerleading was mapped out for her since early days and she could never see herself do anything else.
Jenna Dewan
Jenna Dewan's killer dance moves have been on display since 2006 when she appeared as the female lead in the dancing movie "Step Up," alongside pre-fame Channing Tatum. Before getting her start, Jenna was your everyday high school student living in Texas, cheering on the home team before breaking into the entertainment business, thanks to appearing as a backup dancer for superstar Janet Jackson in 2001.
The dancer-slash-actress recently shared a throwback Thursday pic of her in a cute red, white, and blue cheerleading getup. Who would have thought that what started off as tossing pompons on the basketball courts would bring her to such success?
Lindsay Lohan
Famous redhead Lindsay is the daughter of a former Wall Street trader, and grew up on Long Island in New York. She was part of the cheerleading team for both Cold Spring Harbor High School and Sanford H. Calhoun High School before switching to homeschooling.
But her Hollywood career began before she even started high school, when she was a child model for famous fashion icons like Calvin Klein and Abercrombie, and even appeared in TV spots for Pizza Hut, Wendy's, and Jell-O. Lohan made the jump to the silver screen in 1998 with 'The Parent Trap', where she played two characters who were twin sisters.
Sally Field
Sally Field has done plenty during her half-century in the entertainment biz, including starring in hit movies like "Forrest Gump" and "Mrs. Doubtfire." She even has two Academy Awards to her name and has had big TV roles in shows like "The Flying Nun" and "Gidget."
However, Field has been performing since she was a teen as a cheerleader for Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California. She always knew she wanted to show off her talent in form of an audience ( and not only in front of her parents in the living room), and how lucky are we that she made her dreams come true.
Cynthia Bailey
Famous American model Cynthia Bailey has fanned out to become a reality TV star and actress. However, before she grew into the gorgeous woman she is today, Bailey used to beam as a cheerleader at Deshler High School in her hometown of Alabama.
Fortunately for her, Bailey left Alabama at the young age of 18 to pursue a career in New York. The rest, as they say, is history. We have all seen her on "Real Housewives of Atlanta," which even tributed her 50th birthday by celebrating the occasion on the 10th season. Fun fact; Cynthia's nickname is 50 Cynt, as she dressed up as 50 Cent at a Halloween Party.
Renee Zellweger
Zellweger is a cool cucumber now, but just like most of us, she was once a high school student trying to find her way through life. While she was at Katy High School in Katy, Texas, Zellweger showed off her athleticism and ability to manipulate the crowd as part of the cheer squad.
In fact, Renee has kept up with the flips and dips, once appearing on the "Jimmy Fallon Show" to show off her physical abilities. After appearing in "Bridget Jones's Diary," Zellweger went on to dominate the box office every time she showed her face (and we are still amazed by the British accent she pulls off).
Calista Flockhart
The star of the hit TV series "Ally McBeal" and Calista Flockhart was used to being in the spotlight from an early age. Back when she was a young teenager attending Shawnee High School in New Jersey, she used to hold pom poms and cheer like nobody's business. Then, in the '80s, she attended the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she met fellow actress Jane Krakowski. Little did she know what was awaiting her just around the corner.
The two future famous actresses would start off in "Ally McBeal" and then go their separate ways to have amazingly successful careers.
Mandy Moore
Mandy has done plenty throughout her years in Hollywood – not only did she star in 2001's "The Princess Diaries" (wielding pom poms in the film as Lana Thomas), but she also put on a hit song at the tender age of fifteen: “Candy.” She's starred in "A Walk to Remember" and has a starring role on the show "This is Us."
But Mandy got her start as a star cheering on the local Pop Warner football team, which undoubtedly helped her get the acting and active skills that have ended up taking her far in life. What started off as an innocent cheerleader role turned into an amazing actress who has not yet said her last word.
Amy Poehler
Before she started appearing on shows such as "Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock", and "Parks and Recreation," Poehler was part of the Burlington High School cheerleading team, wielding pom poms and pumping up the crowd during football games, pep rallies, and much more.
Poehler attended high school from 1986 to 1989 and then went on to Boston College to get a degree in communications. After that, she made her way to the Windy City, where she worked on her comedic skills and made herself into the TV and film actress we know today. These days she is considered one of the best female comedians the industry has.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks starred in "Orange is the New Black," but before she did that, and before graduating, she was part of the cheerleading team at her school. She ended up quitting because she was uncomfortable or nervous about the skirt that was part of the uniform, but she used it as a growing opportunity.
In a letter to herself, the actress shared online, she wrote: “You really quit cheerleading because of how you felt you looked when you were wearing a skirt? OK! Never ever quit anything again because you're scared of what others might think of you – unless you become an exotic dancer, the only exception. But even then, only quit because you want to.”
Megan Fox
Want a fact that's sure to surprise you? Future famous beauty and Hollywood superstar Megan Fox, while attending Morningside Academy in Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the subject of cruel bullying. She was part of the cheerleading squad both at this high school and an earlier one in Tennessee.
But the eye candy of the "Transformers" franchise wasn't to be denied, and after moving to California, she began acting, eventually starring alongside Lindsay Lohan as, drum roll, a cheerleader in "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen." Looks like Fox got plenty of rehearsal time in her teens for the role she ended up landing on.
Paul Rudd
The incredibly shrinking man was one of the “yell leaders” at Overland Park High School in Kansas. His infectious smile and endearing personality also helped him get elected as Student Body President. Flips and jumps and bringing energy to the crowd surely have some kind of use while acting, but we're not sure what.
There aren't a whole lot of male cheerleaders on this list, but it may surprise you to know they were once far more prevalent. In fact, until around the 1950s, cheerleading was made up of mostly males! Paul Rudd is best known for "The Cider House Rules," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and "Avengers: Endgame," placing him comfortably on the big star list.
Stacy Keibler
There's no denying Stacy Keibler is an attractive woman, but she used her smarts to take herself higher and higher. While she started out using her athleticism as a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens, she jumped straight to professional wrestling with the WCW from 1999 to 2001, at which point she moved to the competing WWE, going on to have five years of regular appearances.
She now writes for Stuff magazine, as well as modeling, acting in a few films, and appearing as a TV host. She had adorned on screen with her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars," which earned her the title "The Weapon of Mass Seduction. "
Reese Witherspoon
Witherspoon has been showing off her acting skills for a long time now in movies such as "Legally Blonde" and "Walk the Line," but long before she had her current fame, she was part of her school's cheerleading squad. These were the days before "Wild" came to the screens and before "Everything Is Copy" and "Mud" were even thought of.
The famous actress posted a black-and-white picture of herself at the top of a human pyramid, cheering the Generals on to victory many years before she made her debut in 1991's "The Man in the Moon." One thing is for sure, she maintained her beauty and her charms.
Ann Margret
Perhaps one of the most senior members of this list, Ann Margret Olsson was born in 1941 in Sweden and was a singer, dancer, and cheerleader at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, after her family moved. She held star potential in her hand even all the way back then, judging from the big smile and eye-catching pose she was holding.
The Swedish-American actress appeared in legendary films, such as "Bye Bye Birdie," "Carnal Knowledge," "Grumpy Old Men," 'The Cheap Detective," and almost a hundred more as one of Hollywood's ultimate leading ladies and symbols. She was and remains a huge success in showbiz.
Sela Ward
Before she was a talented actress, author, and producer, the beautiful Sela Ward wore a cheerleading outfit and screamed cheers for the Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama. After graduating in 1977 with a degree in fine art and advertising, she went on to pursue an acting career.
Ward had her big break, Teddy Reed, in the famous NBC series, "Sisters," for which she won an Emmy. She is also well famous for playing Juliet in "Westworld" and for her remarkable act in "The Man Who Loved Women." The latter is what brought Sela her breakthrough and got her sailing smoothly into Hollywood.
Alicia Silverstone
Thanks to a red, white, and blue cheerleading uniform, Alicia Silverstone looks all the more patriotic in this image of her posing with the rest of her squad. But despite being the poster child for all-American beauty, Alicia was actually born to British parents while they were living in San Francisco.
Silverstone got her start performing at San Mateo High School, cheering on the Bearcats, but never guessed she would become an A-lister and star in movies like "Clueless," "Batman & Robin," and many more. These days Alicia is still acting, she is an active vegan, supports PETA activities, and has even published two cooking books.
Michael Douglas
The last thing you think of when any member of the enchanting Douglas Dynasty crosses your mind is cheering, however, it seems that even one of the most famous families in Hollywood has a little history when it comes to pompoms. Michael was excited to follow in his father's footsteps, and just like dear old dad, Michael Douglas was part of the cheerleading squad at his school, Choate Preparatory School. The Douglas men don't disappoint, and Michael soon made the jump to the screen.
His first role was as a Jeep driver in "Cast a Giant Shadow" (1966), but if you've been watching the Marvel movies, you've probably seen him as scientist Hank Pym alongside another male cheerleader, Paul Rudd.
Jayma Mays
Yet another young lass who used her amateur skills as a cheerleader to take herself to the next level of fame, Jayma Mays appeared on the television show "Glee" as Emma Pillsbury, constantly locking horns with cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester.
An image has surfaced of her bright red ringlets, bright smile, and playful posture, along with a bunch of other members of her squad, putting proof to the pudding that it's a good idea to give it your all, even in high school – you might just end up famous. Now, although "Glee" is what put Mays on the star map, she is also well known for her roles in "Entourage," Ugly Betty," and others.
Jesse James Decker
Even while auditioning with Nashville labels, Jessie James Decker was a burgeoning fifteen-year-old cheerleader. She was rejected at that young age, but she didn't give up, and within a few years, she was gaining recognition thanks to her hit songs. Decker is living proof that even when you hear no more than your heart can take, don't give up, as everyone has a bright future waiting for them somewhere.
She's now not only a famous country pop singer and songwriter, but she's also made her mark on reality television with her husband, former NFL wide receiver Eric Decker, and she's even branched out into the fashion world with her own line of fetching clothing.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields was once considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. Even though she started a career in modeling, she took an interest in acting and made her big debut when she played Emmeline in the 1980s "The Blue Lagoon." But before she was stranded on a deserted island, Shields was a very spirited cheerleader at her private school in New Jersey.
Apparently, she was incredibly excited when she finally made the cheerleading squad. Little did she know this was just the first of countless wins in her life. She has grasped her fame in "The Midnight Meat Train," "King of The Gypsies," and many more.
Nene Leakes
The vivacious, spirited Leakes has reached fame and fortune thanks to her role on the popular E! Reality series 'Real House Wives of Atlanta.' She's had a life of high-energy antics, and from a young age she was leading people in cheers and dances, all the way back in grade school.
She's been putting on a good show with pom poms for a long time, and the picture above shows she, like so many of the other stars in this article, has an engaging, natural look, and no doubt got the entire stadium – or the soccer field – cheering along with her.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence has always been a busy gal, spending plenty of time acting in the "Hunger Games" movies, "Silver Linings Playbook," and even the long-running "X-Men" series. She was also busy in high school, playing softball, basketball, and field hockey and screaming out cheers in Louisville, Kentucky.
The business has led to success for this famous young actress, with plenty of her roles requiring athleticism, strength, and stamina that she might not have developed without all those extracurricular activities. In 2015 and 2016, Jenifer was the world's highest-paid actress, and the films she starred in grossed over $6 Billion. Impressive!
Kirk Douglas
The late Kirk Douglas was a world-renowned actor, but his first shot at fame came when he was part of his cheerleading squad at Amsterdam High School in Amsterdam, New York. Douglas was already working on his acting skills while in high school before making his big film debut at the age of thirty, in 1946's "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" alongside Barbara Stanwyck.
Douglas soon went on to become one of the leading box-office stars, starring in serious dramas, westerns, and war films. He appeared in almost a hundred films over the course of his life. Not only Kirk but the entire Douglas family has become one of the most famous dynasties in the industry, and they deserve every recognition they get.
Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul has done plenty, including dancing, acting, and working as a choreographer, but she's mostly known as a singer and songwriter. However, not only did she get her start as part of the cheer squad at Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles (while also succeeding as an honors student), and after graduating, she took her skills to the pros, becoming a Laker Girl – becoming head choreographer – and cheering on the likes of Jamaal Wilkes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson.
Before long, Abdul had been spotted by talent scouts and started her rise in Hollywood, and nowadays, you can see her at the judges' table on "American Idol."
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson's beauty and fame are almost unmatched, and she, like many others, got her start performing as a cheerleader while attending Richardson North Junior High School in Texas. While she dropped out of school at fifteen to pursue her singing career, she went on to become one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys and her husband, Tony Romo.
While Simpson was at J.J. Pearce High School, she impressed Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who immediately signed her to a record deal. She has preserved her fame in "Nick and Jessica: Newlyweds," and her greatest hit, "I Want to Love you Forever," remains one of her best songs until this day.
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
Before she became one of the stars of 'Jersey Shore', everyone's favorite miniature Italian-American was part of the cheerleading team from her high school in Marlboro, New York.
The sport wasn't a springboard to fame like many of the people on this list – in fact, Polizzi has commented how difficult the team was for her, especially regarding her weight: “Cheerleading was my life in high school, but it wasn't always easy for me. I started to be anorexic. There were freshmen who were seventy pounds, and I was, like, my spot as a flier is going to get taken away. So I ended up starving myself.”
Phaedra Parks
From high-powered attorney to reality show star of "Real House Wives of Atlanta," Phaedra Parks got her start as an adorable cheerleader at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. There si more to her than just great looks and cheering talent, and she has reached every goal she has set for herself.
She passed the time cheering for her team as part of the squad, but when she graduated in 1990, she went on to pursue a career in law, leading her to get cheers not only on the field or court but also in the courtroom. Now, if that's not enough, she is also an author, a businesswoman, a philanthropist, and a motivational speaker.