James, East Coast Correspondent – Page 184

Kings Vision was on hand for the 12-13 Ice Crew calendar photo shoot! Check out this profile featuring the Ms. October, Cassie.

[Cassie at the Kings Website]

Two Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders and 2 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders after a 25-hour travel day from Djbouti, Africa to visit the troops. They had a 9-hour layover in DC and this is what ensued!

A Washington Redskins Cheerleader

Kaitlyn Collins is a former NFL Cheerleader for the Green Bay Packers, but apparently that’s not good enough for some people — namely, trolling fans of the rival Chicago Bears.

On Monday, the “Chicago Bears Fan” Facebook Page, which has more than 80,000 likes, uploaded the photo above with a caption reading: “Like if You Agree The Packers Have The Worst Cheerleaders In The NFL!”

The post has since been liked more than 3,400 times. It’s received more than 1,400 comments. Many of those comments denigrate Collins’ looks and make fun of her with ugly language. But more recently, the tenor has changed — Facebook users have lashed back against the preposterous post, attacking the poster and demanding it be taken down.

That change is due largely to a video Collins posted to YouTube on Wednesday. In the video she relates what happened in a powerful way — by silently holding up a series of written messages. She quotes hateful comments as well as supportive ones, and says she’s thankful to have family and friends who tell her she’s beautiful every day. But, she writes, “What about the people who don’t have that at home? What will happen when something like that happens to them?”

(Update the post has been taken down!)

By Jayme Lamm
CultureMap.com

I’ll be the first to admit it: The Pro Bowl is not something I work my schedule around, nor my DVR. Sure, I loved seeing my guys (especially my Virginia boy Duane Brown) get voted in for an awesome workcation in Honolulu, but when it comes to the real song and dance of football, whether or not the game should continue is debatable.

But then I met Vanessa: An incredibly sexy brunette with a bubbly yet humble personality, still buzzing from her experience at the Pro Bowl several weeks ago. The glorified exhibition game has come and gone, and this third-year Houston Texans cheerleader is still happily yammering on about her experience.

And rightly so. The week long adventure Vanessa experienced while in Hawaii with 25 other professional cheerleaders — and just her journey to win a Texans cheerleader uniform in general — is motivating to say the least, if not downright Hallmark card inspiring. See for yourself:

CultureMap: How were you picked to go to this year’s Pro Bowl?

Vanessa: Our team votes one night, usually before practice. Coach Alto (Gray) passed out a piece of paper and we each wrote down the name of the cheerleader we felt would be the best representative for our team. Needless to say, I was surprised, happy and beyond belief that I was chosen.

CM: Had you ever been to Hawaii before?

Vanessa: I had never been to Hawaii before this trip. I looked up weather conditions and found that it was similar to Houston, just less humidity.

CM: What were you most excited about going to the Pro Bowl?

Vanessa: To meet the different girls from each squad and learn about their program. I was also excited to perform a final time for the 2012- 2013 season.

CM: Describe your experience.

Vanessa: Part of me was anxious to meet and perform with 25 other girls I’d never met. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to South Korea, Washington, D.C., and Japan for military tours — however, I’d always been accompanied with at least one of my fellow Texans cheerleaders. I had heard from previous Texans Pro Bowl cheerleaders that when the week was over, I’d feel like I had 25 new “sisters.”

I didn’t really believe that one week could transform 26 strangers into sisters. Each morning began with a delicious buffet breakfast along with a “get-to-know-you” session . . . this made us laugh and cry and learn more about the person behind the uniform. We practiced countless hours, perfecting dances that we learned individually from a DVD sent to us in December.

The cheerleaders were separated into four lines, first by dividing NFC and AFC, then by height. At 5-foot-7, I was considered “tall” so I was placed in the AFC Two line. We spent a lot of time with our line, doing most of our appearances together. Performing with Train for the Pro Bowl pregame show was exhilarating! I have been a huge fan of Train since “Meet Virginia” and “Drops of Jupiter.”

The game itself was a neat experience, as we were allowed to take pictures and sign autographs during the game. We had dinner at Wolfgang Puck after the game and looking around the table, none of us could believe that the week had come to an end. The 26 of us truly shared a bond that could not be duplicated in any other sense, not even with our own team back at home.

CM: Did you hit it off especially well with any of the other cheerleaders?

Vanessa: I think I grew the closest with my roommate, Sam, from the Jaguars. The first night we laid awake talking for more than an hour about the upcoming week. We have similar personalities — kind, humorous and laid back. The Colts girl, Breanna, and I hit it off from the plane ride to Hawaii. We were both feeling the same anxiety and were watching the DVD together on our laptops during the ride.

She and I ended up being in the same AFC Two line, which was nice. Overall, I felt our Pro Bowl cheerleaders as a whole were just an amazing group of women. I learned something from each of them. They were all so beautiful outside, but even more so on the inside.

CM: Did you learn anything interesting about any of the Texans players that went?

Vanessa: Just like in the regular season, we didn’t have time to interact with the players. I was very proud to represent the nine players that were selected for the Pro Bowl. Our line was standing near J.J. Watt when he was on the sidelines with his bloodied finger . . . that was a sight to see!

CM: Did you learn anything interesting about any of the other squads there (i.e., any rules they have, cool stunts or dances they do, etc.)?

Vanessa: I learned quite a bit about the other NFL cheer squads. For example, the Ravens squad consists of 60 men and women, divided into a dance squad and a stunt squad. Many teams have a “cap” of how many years a girl is allowed to cheer. The Patriots cheerleaders have a three-year cap, the Jaguars have a five-year cap — these are just two examples.

The Texans cheerleaders are one of the only teams that require their girls to tryout to dance for each game. While this surprised several of my fellow Pro Bowlers, I feel that it keeps the Texans girls on our toes all season long.

CM: Any advice for future cheerleaders going to the Pro Bowl?

Vanessa: I would advise the next Pro Bowl Cheerleader to take time each day to take a step back and breathe it all in. It is such a blessing to be the ONE girl chosen to represent your team. Also, don’t stress too much about packing! We are fortunate enough to be gifted different shirts, shoes and practice attire while we’re there, you’ll have plenty to wear.

CM: Any parting thoughts?

Vanessa: Being selected as the Pro Bowl representative for the Texans Cheerleaders was more than a dream come true. I do not come from a dance or cheer background. My road to this point in my life was not without detours or obstacles to overcome.

Football is my family’s favorite past time. When the Oilers left, we cheered for the Titans until Mr. (Bob) McNair brought the game back to Houston. My dad has had season tickets since 2002. One day I was watching the game when I noticed the cheerleaders and thought to myself, “I can do that.”

“One day I was watching the game when I noticed the cheerleaders and thought to myself, “I can do that.”

I tried out for the first time in 2008. My aunt sewed on a lime green lace thing to a black sports bra and I paired it with black shorts and pink and grey tennis shoes . . . I made it to the second round. In 2009 I returned with a bit more flair, but still lacking the confidence. I made it to the final round and was cut the night the final squad was announced.

My heart was crushed, but my desire to be on the team was stronger than ever. I returned to auditions in 2010 and the young girl inside me could not believe that I had actually made it . . . my number was called to be a member of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders.

My rookie season, I was known by Coach Alto as a “Can of Cute.” I had to come out of my shell and learn to become a bigger and more confident dancer. I was awarded “Most Improved” at the end of my Rookie Season. To come from not making it past the second round in 2008 to being selected the 2012-2013 Pro Bowl representative is amazing.

If I could tell that 21-year old girl driving home in tears after being cut to not fret, but to keep believing and working hard, I definitely would.

[Vanessa at HoustonTexans.com]

From TimeOutBejing.com

Kelly Lack, a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, talks to Time Out Beijing about what its like to be a Raiderette and discusses the time she kicked so hard she gave herself a nosebleed.

How did you get interested in cheerleading?

I began dancing when I was 3 years old. My mom was a ballerina for many years and was my dance teacher. In elementary school, I tried gymnastics. My parents were huge football fans and would take me with them to local games. I remember sitting in the stands and not watching the football game at all! I was so entertained by the cheerleaders and wanted to be just like them. I would try to mimic their routines and hair flips while sitting in the stands. I loved that cheerleading was a combination of my two favourite sports, gymnastics and dance. A few years later, I decided to try out for my high school’s cheerleading squad. I was so excited to make the team my freshman year and have been cheering ever since!

How do you choose a sport to cheer for? Why was American football your choice?

Football was my number one choice to cheer for because it’s my favourite sport to watch. American football also has the biggest fan base. At any given game, I get to perform in front of thousands of die-hard fans. Also, to be a part of ‘Football’s Fabulous Females’, otherwise known as the ‘Oakland Raiderettes’, is a dream come true because we are one of the best professional cheerleading squads in the world.

How do you become a cheerleader?

To become a professional cheerleader is a lengthy and difficult process. For the Raiderettes, you have to go through two different rounds. In the first round, candidates arrive in daytime dresses with full hair and makeup. Usually 300-500 girls arrive for the preliminary audition. Judging is based on appearance, poise, and personality. By the end of the 8-10 hour day, about 100 finalists are selected. All finalists, including veteran cheerleaders, attend two night practices to learn choreography. The last round consists of an individual interview and a dance portion. The first time I tried out for the Raiderettes, I made it to finals, but did not make the team. It was one of my first professional auditions and I didn’t make it because I didn’t know what to expect for the audition process. The year following the try out, I worked on my dance technique, practiced my public speaking skills, and got tips from former Raiderettes about how to wear my hair and makeup. I went back to auditions calm, collected, and with much more confidence. When my number was called, I broke into tears and embraced my friends around me. It was a moment I will never forget.

What’s your signature cheerleading move?

My signature cheerleading move is a high kick. The Raiderettes are known for our kick lines and intricate kick combinations. In high school, I high kicked so hard I gave myself a nosebleed!

What’s the most fun or bizarre outfit you’ve ever worn?

The outfit that I love to wear is our Raiderette holiday dress. During our Christmas home game, we wear a short, black velvet, long-sleeved sequin dress trimmed in white fur. The outfit is cute and sassy, and our fans cheer extra loud when we wear them!

What do you do on days when you’re just not feeling energetic or peppy?

Anytime I am not feeling 100 percent at practice or on game day, I drink a five-hour energy drink. That usually gets me energetic and ready to work.

What are some of the perks of being a cheerleader?

The biggest perk of being a cheerleader is having the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of fans and cheer on my favourite team. Being a member of the Raiderettes has been life-changing. I made many life-long friends and have been fortunate to accomplish a lifelong dream of being a professional cheerleader.

What are common misconceptions about cheerleading?
A common misconception about professional cheerleaders is that this is our only job. The truth is that all Raiderettes either are students or have established careers, and cheering is a side job. When I am in my uniform and tell people I am a first grade teacher, they usually do not believe me. Professional cheerleaders are more well-rounded than most people think!

[Kelly’s China Blog]

[Kelly at Raiders.com]

A member of the Jacksonville Sharks Attack Dance Team

By Robin Leach
Las Vegas Sun

Blonde bombshell Amy Toliver leads a double life to fulfill an incredible dream. The Phoenix resident sheds her clothes several times each week nightly at “iCandy Burlesque” in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops and at the new SHe nightclub in Crystals. By day, she dons scrubs for nursing school to follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a trauma emergency room nurse.

It’s an only-in-Las Vegas story of a striptease showgirl by night earning money to put herself through school. I asked Amy how she juggled the schedule of being in an operating room one moment and peeling off her clothes the next.

“I am not quite a nurse yet. I have another year juggling both. I am in nursing school, but there are so many more requirements at this stage than just being a nurse. I travel weekly back and forth between school in Phoenix and the stage in Las Vegas. Right now, my show nights are Friday through Sunday night in Las Vegas, and then the rest of the nights I spend in Arizona.

“I just pretty much break up my travel between flying and driving depending on the week. It was hard at first, but now I am used to it. I have to manage my time really well and know my priorities.”

Amy cut back one of her nights in “ICandy” at Saxe Theater because it meant an drive to Phoenix when the curtain came down and right into scrubs when she reached the Valley of the Sun.

She said: “I was dancing on Monday night, getting off at midnight, and then driving all through the night to make an 8 a.m. lecture for nursing school. That was just too hard. It could have been dangerous, too. There’d be times when I’d want to fall asleep and pull over on the road to grab a quick nap. I cut out Monday night at ‘iCandy’; it works a little better for me.

“It is still a little crazy, though! I do ‘iCandy,’ then go across the street to SHe at CityCenter and dance until 3 in the morning.”

Nursing school and a mortgage are an expensive proposition. Amy explained: “Right now, I am at $90,000 that I owe back to the government, so I am using the two night jobs to pay back my school loans. Fortunately, my tuition is half paid for by my scholarship.

“I have to maintain a 3.7 GPA to keep my scholarship, so not only is going to nursing school and dancing in Las Vegas hard, but I have to make sure that I get really good grades, or I lose my scholarships. … I am a really good student, just shy of a 4.0. Nursing is my priority, and I love it.

“It also is tough because I have a mortgage. It is not like I am fresh out of high school and have no bills. I have accumulated bills over the years, so I have to maintain and make sure that I am still paying them.

Amy, who has few inhibitions onstage with her sexy routines and is one of the James Bond unclothed beauties in Jeff Kutash’s new production at SHe, says she thought about becoming a doctor but has decided on nursing and will join the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

She told me: “Being a nurse is so much more personal. There are so many different specialties that you can go into without having to go to school all over again. I can pretty much practice nursing anywhere. I wouldn’t be able to dance and to be a doctor at the same time; it is not as flexible. I’d like to continue nursing and dancing.

“When I am done with nursing school, I am going to do the traveling nursing for a while, accepting three- to six-month contracts with hospitals in different states. So, I want to travel and I want to dance and, after that, I want a contract with the Army serving my country in the military as a nurse.

I had to ask why blood and battered bones didn’t trouble the dancing beauty: “My mom was a trauma nurse for 30-plus years. … As a little girl, I always knew that I was going to be a nurse, I knew that I would want to follow in my mom’s footsteps. I knew that I wanted to do something that I could better the world, that I could help people in a major way.

“My mom set a really good example for me as a young girl. When I told her I was going to nursing school, she asked me what kind of nurse I wanted to be. I told her I wanted to work in the emergency room, trauma. She looked at me with a really serious face and asked if I was sure. She said it takes a really special personality to be able to be a nurse who does that. Then she said, ‘If anyone can be a great trauma nurse, it would be you because you have that personality.’

Amy, who was an NFL cheerleader for four years, said her first dance mentor was a Las Vegas showgirl appearing in “Splash” at the Riviera. She encouraged Amy to dance here to pay her tuition, and she joined “iCandy” in its debut a year ago at the Tropicana before it moved to Planet Hollywood.

She summed up: “I realized there is a lot of work in Las Vegas for me, and I love it. It is a lot of fun dancing in Las Vegas. I have been commuting to school in Phoenix for a year, and I have a little over a year left. My graduation will be May 2014. I just have to keep driving safely back and forth for a while longer.”