There are some terrific new photos of the Los Angeles Laker Girls in action on the Sports Illustrated website. Click here to go there now!
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The Laker Girls are one of the premier dance teams in all of professional sports and if you get a chance to see them in person, you should. This weekend the Laker Girls were making a public appearance at the Asian American Expo, a celebration of Asian culture and cuisine. My Charger Girl duties are over for this year, so I decided to make my way over to the Fairplex in Pomona to cover the Laker Girls. It is a rare opportunity to photograph a Laker Girl performance because at Staples Center, it’s dark and there are all sorts of restrictions on the camera equipment that you can bring in. Unless you are Sasha or James and can wrangle a media credential from the NBA, a rare feat indeed, this is about good as it gets. And this is what I got.
Not to digress, but I wondered what those sparkly accents on their uniforms were. Perhaps, they were little NBA championship trophy emblems to celebrate the Lakers 2009 NBA title. Cool. But, that would be a little too immodest. Nope, they were three little crystals. Nice, but I like the NBA championship trophy idea better.
The entertainment schedule was tight, so the Laker Girls performed two dance routines and then signed autographs for the fans. All to brief, if you ask me. But then again, they would be performing again on Sunday. So, if you are near the Fairplex in Pomona, California, come and see the Laker Girls perform tomorrow at 1:00 PM in Expo Hall 4.
This year the Los Angeles Laker Girls debuted the team’s very first swimsuit calendar. Fox Sports partnered with the team to make the calendar and produce a “making of” special. From the segments below, it looks like the project was a big success! Click here to get a copy of the 2010 Laker Girls Calendar, which features all 22 members of the team. Laker Girls’ First Calendar Laker Girls Strike a Pose Laker Girls: Mad for March Laker Girls hit the beach Laker Girls get shipwrecked Laker Girls flip over calender Making the Laker Girl Calender From 1992 it’s East Coast vs West Coast on The Feud. Part One Part Two Part Three There’s a new Laker Girl gallery on SportsIllustrated.com. Click here to check it out.
Yes, it’s time for another list. This time it’s Professional Cheerleaders who are authors. Lindsay Brin - St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders
The Cheerleader Fitness Plan: Get Fit and Fabulous in Just Six Weeks! Cheerleaders are the ultimate symbol of youth, beauty, strength and sex appeal-what woman wouldn’t want to look like one? Now, with the help of The Cheerleader Fitness Plan, you can get the body of your dreams-no gimmicks, no starvation, and no props. Former NFL cheerleader and fitness expert Lindsay Brin has been helping women achieve healthier minds and bodies for over fifteen years. Using her comprehensive six-week plan, any woman can achieve their ideal weight, whether it’s a busy mother of three eager to get her body back, a twenty-something woman just getting started on a fitness program, or an avid exerciser interested in trying something new. Alise Cayen - Los Angeles and Oakland Raiderettes
Patty Klapinsky would give anything to be a sports star like her brothers — to belong to something — but she can’t seem to find her niche. Encouraged by her brother, Patty goes to one of his football games and is mesmerized by the cheerleaders. The very next day, Patty gets to work, making her own pom-poms and practicing every day in order to be the best she can be! The big day for cheerleader tryouts finally arrives and Patty knows that she has what it takes to be a great cheerleader. Does Patty make the team? What lessons does she learn along the way? Sandra Colton - Los Angeles Laker Girls
BOOK ME! How To Become A Successful Working Dancer In Hollywood BOOK ME! GIVES DANCERS THE BLUEPRINT TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD! If you have the desire to be the most sought after dancer working today, then BOOK ME! is your bible! The art of navigating the competitive Hollywood entertainment industry is outlined by industry expert Sandra Colton in a way that no other has created for dancers. Filled with Sandra’s Sick Tips and secrets to success, BOOK ME! puts dancers on the fast track to getting booked solid in Hollywood. With a foreword by celebrity choreographer Brian Friedman and packed cover-to-cover with stories of over 60 working dancers and 50 top choreographers, BOOK ME! is the best how-to book on becoming a professional working dancer ever written! Erika J. Kendrick - Chicago Luvabulls
Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader: A Novel A savvy young music exec for Rockstar Records, Hannah Love has a glamorous apartment and a tight pack of equally fine friends. But luxury and loyalty can’t protect her from a broken heart, courtesy of her super-rich fiancé. To recover, Hannah accelerates her already high-octane life by pursuing a fantasy she’s had since childhood: to become an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Diamonds. As she juggles promoting the hottest singer on the rise, dodges advances from Rockstar’s ultra-slick VP, and puts her body and her will to the test during cut-throat tryouts for a spot on the Diamond Dolls squad, she receives the full attention of the team’s star player, Max Knight. Though the Dolls are strictly forbidden to date players, the heat between Hannah and Max builds on the sidelines. But as catty cheerleaders plot against her, and her boss at the record company secretly negotiates a merger that could leave her jobless, Hannah discovers that it may take much more than the lust for a hot man to hold her steady. It may take his love.
With her exotic looks and killer body, Kennedy Lee is a rising star in the reality TV and soap opera worlds. Now she’s really hit the big time and landed a role on the hugely popular daytime drama America’s Next Sweetheart. As this great news coincides with Kennedy’s birthday, her friends take her out for a wild night on the town. So wild, in fact, that the next morning Kennedy wakes up with a hard-bodied hunk in her bed, a vicious headache, and no recollection of how this gorgeous guy ended up beside her–naked. Not only that, but it’s her first day at the new gig, and Page Six has already chronicled her previous night’s exploits, calling her “America’s Next Lush.” Now Kennedy must endure dirty looks on the set, abuse from the soap’s bitchy diva, and the shocker that the guy who broke her five-year celibacy streak is none other than her co-star, Jesse James. As she battles catty actors, snarky production assistants, malicious gossip, and her growing appetite for food and sex, she struggles to fit in, find her true Prince Charming, and eat a slice of red velvet cake without any guilt. Angela King-Twitero - San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush and Director
The Business of Professional Cheerleading A pro sports team. A pro dance squad. An audience. Is that all you need to make cheerleading magic happen? In The Business of Professional Cheerleading, author Angela King-Twitero goes beyond choreography and routine straight to the heart of any successful cheerleading team: the well-honed business skills and professional management style of a first-class team director. In this concise and practical guide to professional cheerleading management, former pro cheerleader Angela King-Twitero covers nearly every aspect of team development, from image definition to business ethics. Readers will love King’s direct language, innovative ideas, and the hands-on worksheets she has added to turn plans into action. King details how to attain and maintain sponsorships, how to tackle image creation, branding, and “damage control,” and how to develop a stellar marketing strategy that will get the word out. . .and bring the crowds in! For everyone who has thought of entering cheerleading management, and for those who are already in the business but want to further develop their professional skills, The Business of Professional Cheerleading is a must-read. A unique and invaluable addition to the canon of professional development literature, The Business of Professional Cheerleading outshines general business manuals that fail to address the topics integral to cheerleading management, and outdates much conventional wisdom on the subject. It is the perfect addition to a company library or personal collection, and may even find a spot on your trophy-filled mantle! Wendy Murphy - New England Patriots Cheerleaders
And Justice for Some: An Expose of the Lawyers and Judges Who Let Dangerous Criminals Go Free In this clarion call for the victims’ rights movement, lawyer and media commentator Murphy argues that our society’s efforts to ensure that no innocent man is convicted are allowing legions of criminals to go free. The victim’s rights movement seeks to enact laws that give victims greater access to justice; though victims may file suits against criminals in subsequent civil trials (as did Ron Goldman’s family in their wrongful death suit against O.J. Simpson), criminal trials reduce victims’ role to State witness. As such, victims frequently find themselves on trial in the court of public opinion (as was Kobe Bryant’s accuser), paradoxically forced to defend themselves against the accusations of the accused. Though an excellently and righteously argued point, some of Murphy’s solutions seem counteractive at best, such as a plan for victims’ attorneys to go up against defense lawyers, a likely way to ramp up the circus-like atmosphere of high-profile trials, which Murphy is also against. Suzette Scholz, Stephanie Scholz, Sheri Scholz - Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Deep in the Heart of Texas: Reflections of Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Not recommended. Just included to make the list comprehensive. Cindy Villarreal - Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - Houston Oilers Cheerleaders (Director)
The Cheerleader’s Guide to Life A former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader offers step-by-step procedures for cheerleading hopefuls, providing advice on nutrition and fitness, interview guidelines, and applying cheerleading skills to a career. [World Cheerleading Hall of Fame] Yaa Whitmore - Atlanta Hawks Dance Team, Knicks City Dancers, Philadelphia Sixers Dancers
The Life of an NBA Dancer: Truths Not Seen on the Court The Life of an NBA Dancer: Truths Not Seen on the Court takes an introspective look at the true politics dealt with behind the scenes of a sports organization. This book also addresses several of the taboos about dancers and professional athletes in the sports industry. In addition to the truths and the myths involved with performing for and working within the entertainment industry, this book teaches a variety of skills needed for aspiring rookie and veteran dancers interested in auditioning for professional sports teams. Learn about the sacrifices and time commitment needed to succeed in the sports industry. Also gain an understanding of the earning potential available and the required health and fitness practices. Okay, who did I leave out or forget? Yesterday, I posted that the Rocky Mountain RockStarz had auditioned for America’s Best Dance Crew Season 5 and incorrectly identified the group as former Nuggets Dancers. I’ve got the straight scoop today along with a pair of never-before-seen photos of the RockStarz.
Founded by Kristin Engler Brooks in 2007, the Rocky Mountain RockStarz is an elite group of former professional cheerleaders and dancers with credentials including the Los Angeles Lakers, St. Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Kansas City Chiefs and many other teams. RockStarz is a performance group that maintains their remarkable dance style through exclusive performances. As professional dancers, RockStarz share their talent through youth dance clinics, seminars, performing and other community service. Community outreach is the RockStarz number one commitment. The Rocky Mountain RockStarz are committed to helping various local and national charity organizations. Whether it is running a dance clinic, giving motivational speeches, encouraging fitness/healthy lifestyle, or performing, the RockStarz leave a lasting impression on those they work with.
Talk about having the best of both worlds. She’s not even 21 years old and already she’s a two-year veteran of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and currently a member of the NBA’s gold-standard cheerleading team, the Laker Girls. Friendswood High School product Dara says she’s thankful for her good fortune. “I consider myself to be very blessed,” Dara said. “To be only 18 years old and still in high school and be with the Cowboy cheerleaders…that was amazing. “I live my life one day at a time, and I’m very spontaneous. Those were two years of my life that I could never have imagined, and I couldn’t be more grateful.” From patrolling the sidelines in front of 60,000 Dallas Cowboy for two seasons, Dara is now part of the Los Angeles glitterati, albeit in front of a much smaller crowd, but just as rowdy. “Honestly, it feels like it’s the same amount of people because they’re so much closer to you,” Dara said. “It’s a more personal experience than a Cowboys game – and a Laker game is much more of a show. “There are a lot of differences. At the basketball games, we black-out the entire arena, have the big screen drop, do a pre-game video, and we’re right there next to the players.” Dara will also be working as many as 40 games this season, including the playoffs, compared to eight regular season games with the DCC. “I think the number one difference between the two squads is that I’m not using pom-poms as a Laker Girl,” she said. “It’s very different, routine-wise, too. We’re on the court in tennis shoes and the style is more fun and upbeat. We play up to the crowd a lot more, also.” It may not be all fun and games for Dara, but it’s close enough. When she’s not burning calories on the basketball court, Dara’s a student at Santa Monica College majoring in communications and public relations. Dara certainly didn’t venture west just to audition for the Laker Girls, but that was definitely an eye-catching incentive. “I love it – I have family here which makes it a little easier,” she said. “I think maybe I was meant to be a California girl. “I was just so thankful to have family and friends out here when I made the move.” As for auditioning for the Laker Girls, Dara says she went in to the tryouts with the attitude of the letting the chips fall where they may. “For me, my approach was very open-minded,” she said. “I’m very confident in what I can do, but I never go into anything believing it’s a done deal. “You never know exactly what they want in the look or the style. And if I hadn’t made the team, that would have been OK. But it’s great to start over in a new place with new people.” Dara says she doesn’t miss the opportunity of performing in the new Cowboys Stadium. “I’ve thought about that, but I know that I can always go back and visit, and I can always say I was one of the last cheerleaders to perform in Texas Stadium,” she said. “That very last game there was really cool. “But I’ll say this – I do envy the girls’ new locker room.” When one navigates through Dara’s fitness profile on the Laker Girls’ website, a plethora of information can be found on working out and eating properly. But even a Laker Girl cheerleader can stray from the healthy diet every now and then – and still maintain almost zero body fat. “I really like every food possible,” Dara said. “But if I could have one meal…it would probably be Taco Bell. “Or I can eat ice cream all day long – especially if it’s Marble Slab birthday cake ice cream with sprinkles. What I really miss is not having Whataburger out here. I can always go for a regular Whataburger with jalapenos. I also love Pot Belly’s – they’re super good. “I’m a food junkie – I could also eat vegetables all day long.” And you, too, can dine to your heart’s content at all of those places and maintain a sleek figure – if you follow Dara’s regimen: Work on dance technique 2-3 hours, take jazz, hip-hop and contemporary classes, perform cardio exercises, lift weights and do ab crunches on a daily basis. That doesn’t include twice-a-week workouts with the Laker Girls that last almost four hours each. “Lisa (Estrada) is a great director,” Dara said. “We don’t work out that often, but you work really hard. You get in and get the job done. “She tells you ‘you’re working – this is your job’. And that’s how it should be approached. Working with the Cowboys’ cheerleaders was just as rigorous.” Off the court, Dara finds herself equally occupied. “In working charity events and making appearances, we’re constantly on the go,” she said. “But I like to be kept busy, so I think that’s great.” And to be associated with the defending NBA Champions is a perfect fit, also. “It’s fantastic to be a part of team that won it all last year,” Dara said. “It’s pretty much like it was in Dallas – the Lakers have a lot of die-hard fans. “I’d love for the Lakers to win it again, and obviously, I think we have a great shot at doing that.” Although Dara could have a lengthy future as a professional cheerleader, she hasn’t made a definite decision concerning that part of her life. “I’m told I need to enjoy it while I can, and I’ll do it as long as God allows me,” she said. “Dancing is something I don’t want to get burned out on.” She realizes, though, that education is the backbone of what lies ahead. “My major is communications and I’ve been talking with my dad (David) about my future,’’ Dara said. “My minor is broadcast journalism and I wouldn’t mind being on television as an anchor or whatever capacity I’m needed. I’m a big people-person so I’d be open to a lot of things.” As for the holiday season, Dara already has a couple of treats planned. “On Thanksgiving, I’ll be home to celebrate with my family (her dad, her mother Pam, and sister Raguel),” she said. “And I’ll also be there to help my dad celebrate his birthday. “Then, I’ll be bringing the family out to California in December to have a West Coast Christmas.” So whether working, going to school or enjoying the holiday season, Dara’s experiencing a pretty nice year-round gig. “I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed,” she said. “I don’t know of a better way to say it.” The Lakers website has been updated with a new team photo and individual profiles of this year’s edition of the Laker Girls.Click here and check it out.
By Caroline An, Staff Writer TEMPLE CITY - Two Laker girls brought the spirit of Red Ribbon Week to Cloverly Elementary School this past week, extolling students to stay in school, stay off drugs and “keep a good crowd of friends.”
“If you have a support group of friends and family, you will always be on the straight path,” said Laker girl Veronica, 22, who attended Temple City schools and told students she had always dreamed of being a professional dancer. “Whatever you strive to do, you can get there,” she said. The pep talk culminated Cloverly’s Red Ribbon Week activities, which typically include fun activities to drive home the week’s serious anti-drug theme, school officials said. This year’s events included a Frisbee competition and a festive Hawaiian day. “We had BMX professional bikers come for an assembly where they performed stunts for the kids,” Principal Trang Lai said. Following the performance, the bikers told students there was no way they could do stunts if they took drugs, Lai added. Dara and Veronica, dressed in Lakers purple and gold, brought the same message. “Drugs can harm your body and stop you from excelling,” Dara told students. Fifth-grader Kristen Wong took it to heart. “I took a pledge to not take drugs or drink,” she said. Her classmate, Kristi Young, said she promised her teachers and her family that she would lead a drug-free life. “I’m not going to take drugs, and I’m going to study hard and just be a good student,” Kristi said. |
 
 
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