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It took all of 47 seconds of a two-minute trailer for me to understand the hype behind Netflix’s latest documentary series,Cheer.

It’s like a real-life version ofFriday Night Lights, but instead of football, it’s about the intensely talented and hard-working cheerleading team at Navarro College.

The six-episode docuseries profiles a few select cheerleaders and their dedicated coach, Monica Aldama. Like Coach Eric Tyler, she might project a tough-love approach but her loyalty to her cheer team is paramount.

A former cheerleader, Monica grew up in Corsicana, Texas (where the series takes place). After giving up her plans of pursuing finance on Wall Street in lieu of starting a family, she begins coaching the cheer squad at Navarro College.

Through her leadership, they’ve since won 14 National Cheer Association (NCA) Junior College Division National Championships and five Grand National Titles in competition at Daytona Beach, Florida. Navarro College also now holds the highest score in history at NCA College Nationals.

In short: she’s a pretty inspiring figure and a force to be reckoned with.

Watch the trailer for Netflix’s Cheer and prepare to get chills. Post continues below.

The other cheer members, many of which come from broken homes and have troubled pasts, will also hook you into the show.

La’Darius Marshall’s story is especially compelling. After feeling rejected by his family in Florida for being openly-gay, he sees Navarro Cheer Squad as his creative outlet and second family. It’s the same for a lot of the other cheerleaders, too.

Apart from the personalities – many of which have earnt themselves dedicated social media followings thanks to the Netflix documentary –Cheeralso gives an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at the sport.

Their practice sessions are gruelling both mentally and physically, with Monica’s training catchphrase being: “You keep going until you get it right, and then you keep going until you can’t get it wrong.”

Now if you need any more convincing to make the show your next binge, don’t just take it from us, take it from the thousands of fans raving aboutCheeron Twitter.

Here’s what they’re saying.

“CHEER” on Netflix may be the best show i’ve ever watched. insane is the best way to put it.

if you watched the whole thing and didn’t cry, you’re lying. ????

— Yousef Erakat. (@fousey) January 11, 2020

Not to be dramatic but I would die for Jerry from Cheer on Netflix

— Mackenzie Brown (@ml__brown) January 9, 2020

I am sobbing watching Cheer on Netflix. Am I okay? Wow. I was not expecting it to be such an emotional rollercoaster.

— Becca Tilley (@beccatilley5) January 11, 2020

Me watching #Cheer on @netflix Episode 1 : Has no knowledge of or experience in competitive cheerleading

Five hours later: If Jerry were on mat Sherbs would have never fallen through that basket toss before Daytona.

— Tiffany (@iamtgar) January 11, 2020

Im 5 minutes into #CHEER on @netflix and im fighting tears… pic.twitter.com/1jj0bO0VVb

— LordOfTheRings (@IamSantwon) January 8, 2020

All that twitter needs to know is that my sister and I just watched every single episode of Cheer on Netflix, and I have quit my job and am relocating to the Navarro Junior College campus where I will become the cheer spiritual advisor (self-appointed). I’ll miss you guys.

— JenHatmaker (@JenHatmaker) January 15, 2020

What’s The Haps:

My wife started watching CHEER on Netflix

All about this college cheerleading program at Navarro (a college in Texas)

I watched it with her bc I am a great husband but now I am HOOKED

We have to be ready for Nationals in Daytona! #CheerNetflix

— Lunchbox (@RadioLunchbox) January 14, 2020

The new @Netflix series “CHEER” is exactly what the cheerleading industry has needed for a LONG time. It is a wonderful representation of the crazy amount of athleticism and grit it takes to be successful in our sport. Well done, @monicaaldama & @Navarro_Cheer!

— Carly Manning (@carlyxmanning) January 8, 2020

Me, starting “Cheer” on Netflix: okay, this looks like it could be some mindless fun

Me, after three episodes: Let’s GO, Morgan, you are STRONG YOU CAN MAKE MAT, girl. JERRY, you beautiful human, KEEP UP THE POSITIVITY!!! #CheerNetflix

— Sammie Purcell (@slammie8) January 10, 2020

Just got my boyfriend to agree to watch Cheer on Netflix. In the middle of the second episode: Me: do you like it?! Him: I just really need Jerry to make mat ???????????????? #CheerNetflix

— Taryn Alexa (@tarynalexaa) January 13, 2020

Now that I’ve spent 6 hours of my life watching the entire cheer documentary on Netflix , i feel like I have the right to know what #fiofmu means

— crybaby lex (@alexyajayde) January 9, 2020

Netflix’s #CHEER is ???????????????? well done. I think this is one of the most honest takes on what collegiate cheer is today. Great stories. Great program.

— Chris Opheim (@chrisopheim) January 9, 2020

what Cheer on netflix taught me:

1. i lowkey miss competitive cheer 2. i’ve been saying navarro wrong for so long

— lauren kubiske (@ladylokub) January 9, 2020

Me before watching Cheer on Netflix: Meh sure I’ll give it a shot

Me after: Jerry better be on mat or I’m driving down to fucking Texas

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) January 12, 2020

me, yesterday: what is this cheer thing on Netflix?

me, now: if you come for jerry, i will herky my big toe into your fucking mouth. coach monica and her french manicure square acrylics?! i would PAY HER to smack me across the face with that iPad! LA’DARIUS HIVE LET ME HEAR YOU

— Emma Tyler (@EmmaStoneTyler) January 10, 2020

Yes hello Netflix? I’d like another 6 episode true crime doc on why the hell Sherbs hit the floor. I want alibis. That was fucked up.

She definitely went back, and to the left… #CHEER #NetflixCheer #CheerNetflix #jfk

— NurseRachet (@NurseRachet) January 10, 2020

I binged Cheer on Netflix & I was like ok @Lexi_Brumback is my favorite cheerleader & then come to find out she got kicked off at the end lol pic.twitter.com/Z0OvvxVUOA

— desiree. (@desilipstick) January 10, 2020

Cheer on Netflix is a SLEEPER, yes this is a cheerleader reality that show, but all of the sudden the show shifts and becomes a conversation on monopoly in the cheer industry and big tech companies. LIKE WTF AM I WATCHING, THIS IS SO GOOD pic.twitter.com/35udZPusXs

— CAH-BRO-NAH (@friedpapita) January 9, 2020

Second biggest takeaway from Netflix Cheer: poor Gabi Butler needs a new family, her parents are g a r b a g e pic.twitter.com/Auy2XJalxu

— MF Ullmurralman (@mtakpa) January 8, 2020

Cheer, the Netflix docu-series about cheerleading is a better portait of obsession than Joker, and has more to say about mental health, bullying, income inequality, parental neglect, and the perils of modern society.

— Gabe Delahaye (@gabedelahaye) January 14, 2020

Me after watching Cheer on Netflix lol #CheerNetflix

Jessica Wang

Lifestyle Writer

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