Celebs Who Once Rocked the Cheerleader Uniform
Cheerleading has always been a launchpad for big personalities who thrive under bright lights. Long before red carpets and magazine covers, these stars learned crowd leadership, teamwork, and precise choreography while lifting school spirit on the sidelines. The uniforms and pom poms were temporary, but the stage presence stuck.
From high school squads to major college programs and even professional teams, the path from the mat to mainstream fame is surprisingly common. Here are familiar names who spent time perfecting chants and stunt counts before they made it big, along with where they cheered and how those early reps fit into the rest of their journey.
Paula Abdul
Before her music and television career, Paula Abdul made the Los Angeles Lakers dance team as a Laker Girl and became head choreographer after only a short time. She designed routines for game nights at the Forum and built a reputation in pro sports entertainment that opened doors in music videos.
Her sideline success quickly led to choreographing for touring acts and award shows. Those assignments turned into recording opportunities and a long run on television where her dance expertise remained a constant calling card.
Teri Hatcher
Teri Hatcher performed with the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders while pursuing acting. She appeared on the field at home games and at team events that required complex, high energy routines.
The visibility of NFL game days helped her gain early screen credits. That momentum continued with steady roles on television and film, supported by the poise and precision she first practiced with the Gold Rush.
Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter joined the San Diego Chargers cheerleaders after high school and performed during the NFL season. Game presentations demanded tight timing and endurance through long days of rehearsals and community appearances.
The experience in front of large stadium crowds translated well to camera work. She moved into acting full time and built a résumé of series roles that drew on her athletic training and stage comfort.
Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler cheered for the Baltimore Ravens and appeared at NFL games and promotional events. Her work required fast learning of new choreography and consistent fitness for demanding schedules.
She later transitioned to sports entertainment and television hosting. The discipline of weekly performances helped her adapt to live segments and touring production calendars.
Phyllis Smith
Before her breakout on television, Phyllis Smith was a cheerleader for the St Louis Cardinals football team. She performed at home games and public appearances that needed reliable performers with strong crowd engagement.
After her time with the team, she worked behind the scenes in casting and then moved to acting. Those early seasons on the field gave her valuable experience staying calm and consistent in front of large audiences.
Lisa Guerrero
Lisa Guerrero cheered for the Los Angeles Rams and later served as a captain. She balanced performances with responsibilities mentoring younger teammates and coordinating appearances.
Her sports background led to opportunities in broadcasting and investigative reporting. Live stadium experience made the transition to sideline reporting and studio work a natural fit.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union cheered at Foothill High School in Pleasanton California. She learned the fundamentals of stunts and synchronized movement while competing at regional events and supporting school teams.
Her familiarity with cheer culture later informed roles connected to dance and team dynamics. The skills she picked up in high school also contributed to the confidence she brought to early auditions.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep was a cheerleader at Bernards High School in New Jersey. She participated in school spirit events and weekly games that required reliable timing and clear projection to rally the crowd.
The experience added to her foundation in performance and vocal control. Those habits carried into stage training and early theater work that preceded her film career.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry cheered at Bedford High School in Ohio while also taking part in student leadership and pageants. Her schedule combined academics, practices, and frequent game nights.
The public speaking and presentation skills from those activities proved useful as she moved into modeling and acting. She maintained the stamina needed for long production days that mirrored demanding school calendars.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon cheered at Harpeth Hall School in Nashville. Her involvement included pep rallies, halftime shows, and community events where preparation and punctuality were essential.
Those same habits supported early auditions and set life. Consistent rehearsal discipline helped her handle back to back projects once her career began to accelerate.
Renée Zellweger
Renée Zellweger was a cheerleader at Katy High School in Texas. She balanced practices with school theater and speech activities that sharpened her performance range.
That mix of athletics and stage work laid groundwork for her first film roles. She carried over the focus and teamwork expected on a cheer squad to long days on set.
Jenna Dewan
Jenna Dewan cheered at Grapevine High School in Texas and also trained extensively in dance. She performed at games and competed at events that demanded clean technique and synchronization.
Her technical background led to professional dance gigs and then to acting. The steady rehearsal rhythm of cheer made it easier to handle tour schedules and choreography heavy projects.
Fergie
Fergie cheered at Glen A Wilson High School in California while balancing advanced classes and early performance interests. She learned to master quick transitions between schoolwork and practices.
That ability to switch between tasks helped when she entered the recording studio and later toured. She kept the stage energy honed on the sidelines and applied it to live concerts.
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa cheered at Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey. She appeared at school games and pep events where clear communication and upbeat delivery were core responsibilities.
Those skills carried into her broadcast work. She brought a steady on camera presence shaped by years of addressing crowds and following strict event timelines.
Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley was a cheerleader at Wichita Southeast High School in Kansas. She trained in routines that required memorization and coordinated lifts with teammates.
Her comfort with performance helped when she transitioned to film and television. The focus needed for stunts supported her ability to hit marks and cues on set.
Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning cheered at Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles while already working regularly as an actor. She fit practices into a schedule that included tutoring and filming.
Her participation reflected a commitment to school life alongside professional work. She maintained eligibility and met team expectations despite frequent time demands from productions.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning also cheered at Campbell Hall School. She followed the same team guidelines for attendance and performance and took part in school events when not on location.
The team environment offered a consistent routine between projects. It provided a balance to film commitments and helped her stay connected to classmates.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner cheered at Sierra Canyon School in California. She took part in football and basketball game performances and participated in school spirit events.
Her early modeling schedule required careful coordination with team practices. She met commitments to both by planning around class hours and travel days.
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner also cheered at Sierra Canyon School before switching to independent study. She learned sideline routines and supported school teams during her time on the squad.
As her media work grew, she stepped back from regular school activities. The organizational habits from cheer remained useful as she managed business obligations.
Snooki
Nicole Polizzi cheered at Marlboro High School in New Jersey and later coached youth cheer. She spent time teaching safe stunting and basic tumbling to younger athletes.
After high school she remained active in fitness and performance related projects. Coaching experience added to her on air work where communication and motivation are key.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood cheered at Checotah High School in Oklahoma while singing in local events. Her routine included practices, study time, and frequent community performances.
The schedule prepared her for auditions and national competitions that required long hours and clear focus. Those habits carried into recording sessions and touring.
Denise Richards
Denise Richards cheered at El Camino High School in Oceanside California. She appeared at games and school functions while also pursuing early modeling opportunities.
The confidence needed for public performances helped with casting calls. She transitioned to television and film with a background in stage presence developed on the sidelines.
Madonna
Madonna cheered at Rochester Adams High School in Michigan. She combined cheer with dance and extracurricular arts that built strong fundamentals in rhythm and timing.
Those foundations supported her early work in New York clubs and studio sessions. She kept the sharp counts and performance drive that are central to cheerleading.
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock was a cheerleader at Washington Lee High School in Arlington Virginia. She rehearsed weekly and performed at school events that required quick memorization and steady projection.
Her early participation in performing groups extended beyond cheer into theater. That blend prepared her for work on sets where scheduling and ensemble coordination matter.
Steve Martin
Steve Martin served as a cheerleader in high school in Southern California. He worked games and rallies that relied on humor and crowd engagement to lift energy.
Those appearances complimented his early interest in magic and performance. The combination produced a stage act that later grew into a full career in entertainment.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L Jackson joined the cheer squad at Morehouse College. He supported the athletes from the sidelines and learned partner stunts that needed trust and communication.
The role placed him in front of large campus crowds on a regular basis. That exposure fed his comfort with live audiences and public speaking that remained useful throughout his career.
George W. Bush
George W Bush was a cheerleader at Phillips Academy in Andover and later at Yale. He worked as a lead voice at rallies and games where organization and timing were essential.
Those duties included planning chants and coordinating with bands and teams. The experience contributed to his ease with microphones and public events in later roles.
Sally Field
Sally Field cheered at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys. She participated in halftime shows and pep rallies that required consistent rehearsals and reliable attendance.
Her early performance training helped during her first television roles. The habits of preparation and clear delivery were already in place from school activities.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle Pfeiffer was a cheerleader at Fountain Valley High School in California. She balanced practices with classes and early work that led toward pageants and acting.
Her ability to perform under pressure at public events made the move to auditions smoother. The foundation from school spirit work supported later screen opportunities.
Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth cheered at Waco High School in Texas. She took part in school competitions and game day performances that needed precise timing and teamwork.
After graduation she modeled and then moved into acting. The physical conditioning and stage readiness built in cheer remained part of her preparation for on camera roles.
Share your favorite cheerleading alum in the comments and tell us who surprised you the most.