Cheerleaders from Washington admitted that they were forced to pose naked in front of sponsors
'03.05.2018'
Source: New York Times
Members of the Washington Redskins football team support group said that club leaders forced them to pose bare-breasted in front of sponsors, while taking photos of the girls.
As one of the cheerleaders said, they, of course, were not forced to do it at gunpoint, but they made it clear that it was impossible to refuse to speak frankly, writes New York Times.
When the team traveled to Costa Rica for a calendar photo shoot in 2013, the first bells began with the girls having their passports taken away upon arrival at the resort, which was found to be labeled "adults only."
Before the photoset, some girls were told that they should be stripped to the waist, although the photos that will go to the calendar will not show the most piquant places. Others were completely exposed, but special paint was applied to their bodies.
Taking into account the closed format of the resort and the predominantly female team that participated in the shooting, there was nothing special in such a photo session ... Apart from the fact that the club leaders invited viewers, among whom were sponsors and shareholders. Without exception, men.
As one of the girls later admitted, no violence from the leadership towards her or her colleagues was noticed, but the aftertaste remained extremely unpleasant. Not everyone shared her opinion: another participant said that it was "almost pimping, and in theory it could turn into rape."
“It seems to me that nothing will change until something terrible happens, for example, a girl is raped or injured. I think teams will start paying attention to such incidents when it's too late, ”said the cheerleader.
Stephanie Jojokian, long-time director and choreographer of cheerleaders Redskins, disagreed with most of the girls' stories about the trip to Costa Rica. She dismissed the version that the night at the club was forced and said that the cheerleaders who went there were not chosen by sponsors. Stephanie called herself a “bear mom” who takes care of the girls, creates a comfortable atmosphere for them, full of respect, so no one forced anyone to go to that photoset.
