The 2012 Raiderettes were announced on Sunday, April 22, at the final auditions held at the Hilton-Oakland Airport.
By Rebecca Corman
Raiders.com
4/23/2012
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The 2012 Raiderettes were announced on Sunday, April 22, at the final auditions held at the Hilton-Oakland Airport. During the finals, 125 candidates, including veterans, interviewed with and danced for the judges in their attempt to make the 40-member squad. After a long, exhausting day of auditions, 25 veterans and 15 rookies received the good news that they are members of Football’s Fabulous Females.
Sisters Natalie and Jenna went through the audition process together and both made the team. Natalie, the 2010 Raiderette of the Year, was excited to learn that she’d be spending her fifth season with her older sister. “I heard Jenna’s name called and then I kind of lost track and I forgot what my number was,” said Natalie. “This was probably the most emotional audition experience I’ve ever had. So a lot of tears of joy and a little bit of bittersweetness and sadness, but I’m really happy my sister is here and we can experience this together.”
“I couldn’t stop squeezing her arm,” said Jenna about hearing the numbers called. “I’m just really excited that this is happening and I’m experiencing it with Natalie and the rest of the girls that made it too.”
Jalina, a Raiderette rookie, was extremely nervous when her number was called. “When they called my number there was just something in my stomach that just went down, like you’re on a roller coaster, like, ‘whoa, did that just happen?’ It was crazy,” said Jalina. “It was a good moment, but it made me so nervous. I’m really happy, and excited and blessed and humbled to be here right now.”
Now entering her second season, Bess is looking forward to the challenge of being a Raiderette veteran. “I was feeling really relieved [when my number was called], but honestly, somewhat nervous that now I’m a vet and I have to uphold everything that all the vets did for me my rookie year,” said Bess. “I think they are big shoes to fill, but I’m excited for the challenge.”
Jenna is ready for her rookie season as a Fabulous Female. “This is new for me, being on a football team and experiencing the ropes and experiencing this with my sister,” said Jenna. “Being a rookie too, it’s like starting all over again, so it’ll be interesting but I’m real excited to start the season.”
Natalie is just as eager for the season to begin. “I can’t believe I’m saying that this is going to be my fifth year,” said Natalie. “I’m most looking forward to just watching the rookies go through what I experienced five years ago because as you get older, it means more to you being on this team. I’m really excited to see my older sister go through it.”
As the 40 cheerleaders begin the 50th- anniversary season of the Raiderettes, Bess imparted a message for the rookies. “Have fun and let it all sink in,” said Bess. “I seriously feel like rookie season went by in a flash and the best thing you can do is just have fun in every single moment and literally remember everything because you’re never going to have another rookie season. There’s always a chance to come back as a vet, but you’re only a rookie once.”
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Finals are tonight! Click here to check out the contenders.
Texans.com: Below are the 45 finalists for the 2012 Houston Texans Cheerleaders. Vote for the finalists you want to make the squad by texting their corresponding keyword (i.e. HTC1, HTC2, HTC3…) to 88222. You also can vote on Twitter by using the corresponding hashtag for each cheerleader finalist (i.e. #HTC1, #HTC2, #HTC3…).
Voting ends on Monday, April 30, at 5 p.m. CT. The final squad will be announced live on HoustonTexans.com on Tuesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
VIDEO: 2012 Cheer Finalists
SouthFlorida.com: Approximately 300 candidates showed up for the tryouts for The Miami Dolphins cheerleader squad. Click here!
The judges have narrowed it down to 51 finalists. Click here to choose the candidates you believe will best represent the Rams. Note: the link takes you to a registration form. Scroll down and click the “bypass” button to skip the nonsense.
[Click here to watch “Making the Squad”]
Auditions are underway for the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue dance team. Click here for photos!
By Rebecca Corman
Raiders.com
Apr 16, 2012
The preliminary audition for Football’s Fabulous Females was held on Sunday at the Hilton Oakland Airport. Nearly 300 candidates attended in the hopes of making it to the finals on April 22. “We’ve had women come in that pre-registered and walked in and they’re willing to go through the ropes for what it takes to be a Fabulous Female,” explained former Raiderette Serrita.
Raiderette hopeful, Jalina, who took advantage of the Prep Class prior to auditions, was relieved and proud to have completed her first NFL-cheerleading tryout. “I’m just patting myself on the back for just actually having the chutzpah to actually get up there and do this,” said Jalina. “This is my first time ever auditioning for an NFL team and I had no clue what to expect. You hear so many stories from either girls who have gone through it before or were on the team, but you just really never know what to expect. Once you get in there you just take a deep breath and go for it and I went for it. I’m happy I did it.”
Although many of the hopefuls were nervous, they soaked up the experience. “I enjoyed it,” said Ashley. “I think you kind of get yourself worked up, but once you get in there, it’s not that bad.”
“It was exciting,” said Lindsey. “We’re all excited to be here, but a little nerve racking.”
While the participants waited their turn to meet the judges or hear the results, they interacted with the hundreds of other ladies, establishing friendships with potential teammates. “I met a lot of people at my table and also got to reconvene with some girls I already knew prior to coming here, which was nice,” said Jalina.
At the end of the day, the finalists’ numbers were called. Those candidates, along with returning Raiderettes, will attend two classes to learn the final audition routine, that they will be perform for the judges at the Final Audition.
Visit Raiders.com on Sunday, April 22, for live coverage of the Finals.
About 300 young women donned their favorite sports bras and spandex shorts for the preliminary go around.
DAILY NEWS
April 21, 2012
J-E-T-S!
Fit co-eds armed with pom-poms swarmed MetLife Stadium on Saturday to tryout for the Jets Flight Crew cheerleading squad.
About 300 young women donned their favorite sports bras and spandex shorts for the preliminary go around.
Nicole LaGuardia, 22, of Wycoff, N.J., said it was her first time.
“Watching up the girls up there makes me want go to and do it,” the Arizona State University grad said. “It’s nerve wracking. Everyone is so pretty and put together.”
Wycoff, who said she worked-out four or five times a week to prepare, said she “would be freaking out” if she was selected.
“I’ve been on a dance team and danced my entire life and I feel it’s really important to be a part of something,” said Wycoff, who wore her curly brown hair down for the occasion. “And to just to represent this area is such an honor, to be an ambassador for the Jets. It would be such a great experience.”
Tryouts continue Sunday.
Click photo to view full size. Click here to see photo without the names, and to view individual photos of the ladies. I guessed on some of the rookie names, so please let me know if you have corrections.
I’m also pleased to announce we have another sister act to add to the records. Veteran Clarisse is joined by her sister Chelsey on the team this year. Congrats to all!
Update: You know what I said about Clarisse and Chelsey? TOTALLY wrong. Her name is Rachel not Chelsey and they’re not related. Two for two. Good job, Sasha!
