The Emphasis on Looks

     As mentioned in a previous post, cheerleading is highly focused on material looks.  To go to a competition, one is required to spend hours preparing.  To be considered to look “professional” at the major competitions, cheerleaders should be tan.  While some do choose the spray tan option, nearly everyone chooses to go tanning, sometimes more than once a day.  The uniforms of level 5 teams are half tops, meaning the stomach is exposed.  Because of this, cheerleaders are expected to have visible abs.  Without them, you are considered lazy in the judge’s eyes and unworthy of wearing a half top.  I’m not making this up. 

     Come competition day, hair and makeup takes two hours minimum.  Hair must be curled precisely so the entire team is uniform.  Bows are bobby pinned in.  Next comes the makeup.  Regardless of age, cheerleaders are required to wear makeup.  Heavy makeup. Glitter, heavy eyeliner, and bright lipstick are applied. 

     For what? You might ask.  Cheerleaders focus so much on being called a ‘real sport’.  Yet do other ‘real sports’ spend this much time on material looks?

     The answer to this is simple, they are putting on a performance.  Although many people would be justified in saying that the way cheerleaders look is over the top, it’s part of the performance.  You need to be seen from far away on stage, and nothing calls attention quite like this. To those with complaints that cheerleaders don’t look like ‘real people’, they’re not meant to look like everyday people.  Although the rules are ridiculous at times, it’s part of the sport.  It’s unfair to criticize cheerleaders for the pressure they are under to be in shape.  Wrestlers have weigh ins that are even more intense.