The glitz and glamour of NFL cheerleading is the stuff of Instagram reels and Hollywood-style documentaries, but former cheerleaders are now peeling back the curtain on what it’s really like behind the sequins.
The reality, they say, is far less glamorous than it looks on TV.
Kylie Nicole Tuttle, who cheered for the Los Angeles Chargers, recently shared her experiences, giving fans an eye-opening glimpse into the daily struggles and strict rules faced by NFL dancers.
Hair, Uniforms, and Hygiene Secrets
Tuttle revealed one surprising secret about the iconic big curls and sparkling uniforms: cheerleaders often go days, even weeks, without washing their hair.
“The longest I ever went was 18 days,” Tuttle admitted in a TikTok video.
She added that some veteran cheerleaders she knew hadn’t washed their hair in over a month.
The teased, voluminous hairstyles fans admire aren’t as effortless as they seem—they’re a result of careful neglect.
The uniforms and pom-poms are another challenge. Tuttle explained that the outfits aren’t custom-made for each cheerleader.
Instead, rookie dancers often receive hand-me-down pieces from veterans, pinning and adjusting items to make them fit.
Perfume becomes a necessary tool, too, as the uniforms—and poms—can develop a “horrific” odor.
Off-Field Conduct and Fan Encounters
Being a cheerleader doesn’t stop at game day. Tuttle stressed the need for strict personal discipline, particularly on social media.
Alcohol, for instance, was strictly off-limits while she was a Charger Girl, and dancers were expected to carefully manage how they presented themselves in everyday life.
Unfortunately, fans don’t always follow the rules. Tuttle shared that some cheerleaders experienced invasive encounters, including a “crazy fan” who showed up at a rookie’s workplace in an attempt to see her.
Auditions Are Annual, Perks Are Limited
Being part of a cheer squad is never guaranteed. Every dancer must re-audition each year, regardless of past membership.
This annual evaluation adds pressure and uncertainty to a role many fans perceive as purely fun.
Despite misconceptions, the job doesn’t come with many perks.
Tuttle noted that cheerleaders are often not given free tickets to the games they cheer for.
In some cases, if teams do provide tickets, taxes on the ticket value are deducted from their paychecks, cutting into the modest earnings they already receive.
The Darker Side of Cheerleading
Tuttle’s experiences echo those of former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who have described the environment as toxic.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one ex-member told The Daily Mail that dancers are often treated poorly, viewed as “expendable,” and left to navigate the intense demands of the role largely on their own.
The revelations show that beneath the sparkle and smiles lies a world of strict rules, personal sacrifices, and hidden struggles—far removed from the glitzy image fans see on screen.