A Raiderette

By Tiffany White
Stlouisrams.com

On the eve of the 2013 NFL Draft, nearly 2,000 Rams season-ticket holders wrapped around the team’s facility, eagerly awaiting last minute insight from general manager Les Snead on the draft process.

When the doors finally opened, the masses made their way inside and quickly paced down the hall that led to the team’s indoor practice field. Upon arrival to the field, they were welcomed by cheerleaders and a theatrical scene of blue and gold.

While fans enjoyed special guest appearances and ate a hefty barbecue dinner, Keely Fimbres, the Rams’ director of special events, worked vigorously behind the scenes to ensure a smooth operation. Once the evening ended and the fans disseminated to their cars with hope and optimism for the ensuing draft, Fimbres let out a sigh of relief. After catching her breath for a second, ideas spun in her head as to how she could build and improve the event for next year.

Her train never slows.

Without much time for someone on the outside to process, she is already on to a new staple of productions.

“It’s not so bad,” Fimbres said. “You kind of get into a rhythm. Once you get in the rhythm its fine. It’s just getting to that rhythm.”

Fimbres had already completed 65 events before the start of the 2012 season and immediately prior to the Rams pre-draft event, Fimbres orchestrated the 2013 Rams cheerleading tryouts, which culminated in a grand finale at The Pageant a week earlier. Under her tutelage the Rams have selected worthy cheerleading candidates with full-time jobs as doctors, scientists, lawyers and nurses, amongst other professions.

According to Fimbres, managing the cheerleaders is a day-to-day element with late-night practices twice a week and over 800 appearances each season. Someone walking in her shoes for a day may think she is leveled with the daunting challenge of those long hours. As for Fimbres, she would describe it as nothing short of a dream job.

“It’s never the same,” Fimbres said. “It’s very different and it’s a lot of fun—always.”

Fimbres has been with the Rams for 20 years and in her current role she is responsible for all corporate events in addition to the Rams Cheerleaders. Before joining the team, she was a member of the Long Beach State University dance team, where they were twice crowned national champions. She also dipped her foot in entertainment and has been featured in commercials and two movies – Last Boy Scout and Lethal Weapon III.

Despite her experiences in sports and entertainment, Fimbres had aspirations of a career in the health science field.

“I started as a cheerleader back in Los Angeles and the girl who had the cheerleader assistant job quit the week of opening day,” Fimbres said. “My boss at the time said, ‘You have a little bit of free time, you’re in school. Would you mind helping and I’ll let you study when we’re not busy?’

“Ultimately, it was not what I wanted to do, but it’s what I love to do.”

With such a heavy load, Fimbres has found a group of helpers who make her job easier.

“I have some people that help, which is great,” Fimbres said. “Sarah Rouland, who also works in community relations, and then we have what we call ‘Rambassadors,’ which are former cheerleaders who have experience and knowledge of what it takes and what’s necessary. They just come back and help us on gameday.”

Game days for Fimbres can be a 15-hour roller coaster ride in itself. She may open the day preparing for a tailgate across the street from the Edward Jones Dome, then engage with season-ticket holders inside the building until kickoff before making the cheerleaders her priority for the remainder of the game.

“Last year we had 24 cheerleaders on the field per game,” Fimbres said. “Three would sit and do promotions and calendar sales. They would do suite visits and sell calendars and do community events. They became a promotional piece for us.”

Fimbres makes it a point to find new and innovative ways to engage fans and is already working around the clock in preparation for the upcoming season.

“Sometimes you go with two hours of sleep and you just have to keep it moving,” Fimbres said. “You have to be able to come early and stay late because ultimately it’s your show from beginning to end.”

A Hopeful at Brooklynettes Auditions

By Scott Fishman
Miami Herald

Naomi has gone from the dance floor to the wrestling ring as a WWE diva who can bust a move or bust some heads.

Now the Funkadactyl finds her and partner Cameron with chances to prove they are more than back-up dancers for Brodus Clay and Sweet T. They are putting their athletic abilities to the test against some of the top female grapplers in WWE.

It’s an exciting time for Naomi, whose journey into WWE began four years ago. The former NBA Orlando Magic dancer heard the company was seeking potential divas. She decided she was going to do more than just attend the WWE event when it visited her town.

“I made it my business to meet [then executive vice president of talent relations] Johnny Ace [Laurinaitis] and try to get a tryout,” Naomi said. “I figured if I just get my foot in the door, I’d be good. I got a tryout, and I’m still here.”

She traded her dancing shoes for wrestling boots and began training at WWE’s developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, based in Tampa. Her background helped her make the transition.

“Fortunately for me I had Norman Smiley as my trainer,” Naomi said. “He taught me a whole lot from day one, all the basics. I worked with Dr. Tom [Prichard] and Dusty Rhodes on promos. For me, I was just very fortunate to learn from all of them. The girls I started with, AJ [Lee], Aksana, Kaitlyn, Tamina, a lot of us were in developmental together. We got along very well, and we all helped each other. For me, it was tough, but I just had such great support. It was kind of like a family there, so for me it was a great experience.”

Her and other divas in training got their first real shot on the WWE main roster in the third season of NXT, a reality competition with the winner securing a contract. With Kelly Kelly as her pro, Naomi gave her all in each of the challenges thrown her way, no matter how absurd they may have seemed for a wrestling show. It was trial-by-fire.

“We make jokes about that because we would be so nervous and afraid,” Naomi said. “A lot of that stuff was on the spot. We look back on it now, and we’re like, ‘I can’t believe I said that or did that or looked like that.’ I think from that point we all came a long way, but that is the way we were at the time.”

Among the competitions was the Talk-the-Talk Challenge, which Naomi will never forget.

“They would just give us a random word, and we would have to cut a promo on the stop,” she said. “This has haunted me since NXT, but whatever the word was [It was ‘toupee’], I just blanked out…I lost that challenge.”

Following the show, Naomi continued to hone her skills until the call she had been waiting for came. The dancing diva joined Cameron to become part of the elaborate debut of Brodus Clay. The Funkadactyls had arrived.

“For us it just kind of happened. We didn’t plan it or prepare for it,” Naomi said. “Opportunity came up, and we just went with it. I left dance to come to wrestle and worked hard at becoming a good wrestler that at first I was like, ‘I want to wrestle.’ But I’m so fortunate because it got me to where I am. It’s just been a great experience working with Brodus and Cameron.”

And now Sweet T.

“…Tensai [Sweet T] has rhythm and catches on very fast,” she added. “It takes a load off me because with me having the dance background sometimes I come with a lot of [the dance routines] with Cameron giving suggestions or ideas. A lot of it is on me because I used to dance, so with Tensai there, he helps out a lot with ideas.

“…It has been fun, and now I’m getting to wrestle more. I feel like I’m just winning all the way around.”

In the handful of times Naomi has been in action on Raw or other WWE shows she has impressed. She attributes her progress to those who have helped her along the way, as she strives to be the best.

“If it’s something I want to do, I don’t care how many times I get hurt,” Naomi said. “I won’t stop until I learn it.”

The up-and-comer has been able to stand out by infusing her dance moves into her offense.

“I wish I could take all the credit for it, but Norman has helped me with a lot of my moves,” Naomi said. “Some I’ve thought of myself, but I can’t take all the credit.”

Naomi is building a fan base with her performance. Praise has come not only from the WWE Universe but her co-workers. World champion Dolph Ziggler tweeted that she had the hottest move set in the business.

“That was cool,” Naomi said. “That’s always humbling for me. Those are our peers and all those guys who are so amazing. Whenever you get a compliment from them, for me, it’s always a big deal because those are the people I look up to, who I study and want to be like.”
Naomi is proud to be a part of a new era of emerging divas in WWE.

“It’s great,” Naomi said. “I love to see new faces, new talent and new girls. I think we have a good crew and a good group of girls, all strong and wanting to accomplish the same goals. It’s great to see everybody grow because that is what keeps the business growing…I know one day I’m going to look back on this and say, ‘Wow, I was here. I did that.’”

As for goals, the dedicated competitor has set her sights on gold in the next year and predictions for WrestleMania XXX.

“Hopefully, I will be defending the diva’s title,” Naomi said.

Naomi on E!

Funadactyl Naomi will be a central figure during a new reality series on the E! television channel.

The show will highlight the professional and personal lives of WWE’s leading ladies.

Set to debut this summer, “Total Divas” will feature an unprecedentedly in-depth look at what it means to be a WWE Diva. With complete access to the backstage workings of WWE, the show examines the preparation and fallout from matches, the romantic entanglements of a WWE locker room and the efforts of prospective new divas to break through into the ranks.

The show will focus on the lives of Naomi along with Natalya, The Bella Twins and Funkadactyl Cameron. The show will follow the lives of these women as they travel around the country — living, loving, competing.

Viewers will also be introduced to Eva Marie and Jo-Jo Offerman, two prospective new divas who have yet to earn their stripes.

The aim is to help the Shore recover from the devastation of superstorm Sandy.

By Peter Mucha
Philly.com

The Eagles Cheerleaders will host their annual calendar shoot in New Jersey, as a way to help rebuild parts of the Shore devastated by superstorm Sandy.

Each of the 38 members of the new cheerleading squad, selected late last month, will be photographed at locations “that make the Jersey Shore unique and memorable, whether it’s Lucy the Elephant in Margate, the Cape May Lighthouse, or Morey’s Piers in Wildwood,” according to a news release.

All net proceeds will go to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, which is chaired by Pat Christie, the governor’s wife.

The storm touched the lives of many of the Cheerleaders’ lives, according to the Eagles.

“My father lived in a charming house located in Ventnor, right along the bay,” said Jamielee Panghulan. “Hurricane Sandy flooded the entire first floor and caused irreversible water damage to the property. It’s been very difficult for me to see my dad having to move permanently from the home he loved.”

“I have co-workers that live in Toms River and Red Bank who still do not have a home,” said Jersey-bred Michelle Morris, who works in Somerville. “They have been in the arduous process of rebuilding since Hurricane Sandy hit last October.”

Tiffany Monroe, who has been on the squad for eight years, lives in Absecon and teaches phys-ed in Somers Point. “It was heartbreaking to see the vast damage from Hurricane Sandy in my own hometown but I am so proud that we all united, as neighbors, and were determined to rebound. I’m passionate about shooting our 2013 calendar right here in New Jersey and sharing with NFL fans worldwide why the Jersey Shore is such a special place.”

The cheerleaders will also wear New Jersey-made accessories, that are in keeping with the yearly eco-friendly theme. Examples: a state-shaped silver pendant with the word Strong, a necklace made from old beach tags, and a bracelet with a map.

“Through this project we hope to show, in a creative way, the great resiliency and beauty of the shore communities that we all care about so much,” said Eagles Cheerleading Director Barbara Zaun. “We think fans will really enjoy seeing Eagles Cheerleaders alongside some of their favorite vacation spots in this calendar.”

BlazerDancers’ performance of “Bust a Bucket” from 90s night at the Rose Garden.

A Boston Cannons Dancer

The Philadelphia Soulmates made their regular season debut on April 20th with a new look and a new choreographer.

Sam shows off the new uniform top.

Captains Christina and Wendy

2013 Philadelphia Soulmates

Choreographer Michelle Sulpizio (right) with game day assistant and long-time Soulmate Stephanie

Soul Squad

Pre-game rehearsal

Kayla is a former member of the NY Jets Flight Crew

[Philadelphia Soulmates Gallery]

Producers are casting the best of the best and seeking individuals with stunning intellect and impressive athletic prowess for a competition television show where candidates will compete in intense, thought-provoking challenges that will test their minds and bodies. This will be a prime time show on one of the top networks (ABC, NBC or CBS) and the challengers will compete for a large cash prize.

They are looking for male and female competitors in their 20’s and 30’s. These competitors need to be the best of the best, achievement-oriented people who have an impressive resume of accomplishments that can hit on such things as:

•Astounding philanthropic accomplishments
•Superior intellect or impressive academic pedigree
•Super-human athletic skill

You can be anywhere in the nation but must be able to work as a US resident. And yes, they’d love to have a current or former professional cheerleader in the competition.

[Metal Flowers Media on Facebook]

A San Diego Charger Girl