Mel Marie - Cheerleader Interview |best|

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the culture, according to Mel, is the psychological manipulation. Teams market the squad as a “family” to justify low pay and long hours.

When asked about that moment now, Mel Marie laughs nervously. “I didn’t plan it. Honestly, I was frustrated. For years, cheerleaders are told to ‘look pretty and be quiet.’ I was tired of answering whether our sport counts. Does a quarterback get asked if he’s just an entertainer?” mel marie cheerleader interview