The Laker Girls count a lot of O.C. girls among them
Jenn
By Lou Ponsi
The Orange County Register
Jan 13, 2011
LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant slams home a reverse dunk to punctuate a recent Lakers’ victory over Phoenix – and the Laker Girls rise up from their spots behind the base lines, turn to the erupting Staples Center crowd and spur the fans on even more with fist pumps and claps.
In their purple, two-piece outfits with gold trim, the 22 dancers – half positioned at each end of the court, always – celebrate every Laker basket and free throw the same way.
They are dancers, not cheerleaders, performing hip-hop and jazz routines. The Laker Girls – seven with strong Orange County ties – are as rhythmic in on-court performances during timeouts as the players are during the game. The iconic squad performs up to five dances a game.
Getting one of the coveted spots – and keeping it – isn’t easy.
Many try out multiple times before finally making the squad. Even incumbent Laker Girls must try out each season to win back their spots, says Lisa Estrada, who oversees the dancers.
Teresa
Tryouts are typically held every July, in front of nine judges, and start with as many as 600 candidates. By the end of the first day, about 35 are called back.
“Each girl gets a number, and at the end of the round, they call the numbers of the girls they want to come back for the next round,” said Lindsey Riley of Huntington Beach, a rookie Laker Girl. “The most nerve-racking thing is waiting for your number to be called.”
Laker Girls must be able to execute solid dance steps as well as demonstrate an ability to dance as part of team.
“I need the basics to be at a high level,” said Estrada, herself a former Laker Girl. “For me, first impressions are something hard to forget. (And) they are going to be ambassadors, so we definitely need people-people.”
Laker Girls practice two evenings a week for three hours. They must arrive at the arena three hours before games and are required to attend at least three charity events a month, in addition to paid personal appearances (Laker officials would not say how much the women earn).
Their schedules can be crowded. First-year Laker Girl Teresa Giltner is a Fullerton College student who also works full time as a performer at the Disneyland Resort. Jennifer Albeanu, 28, of Fullerton works full time at an equestrian center.
The pair, like the rest of the Laker Girls, find time to represent one of sports’ most-celebrated franchises. A time in their lives when the spotlight is on them, just like it is on the players.
“It’s one of those things you have to slow down to take it in,” Riley said. “I’m trying to slow down and experience it.”
