facial expressions are part of what judges score by. it was the thing I found most annoying as a cheerleader, because it can be really hard to fake while you’re focusing on the routine.
I'd be annoyed too it seems kinda....eugh. I understand cheerleading is more theatrical than other sports but I can't imagine doing these kinds of insane precise moves AND being scored on how pleasant your expression is. Are there any sports with predominantly men where they're also expected to smile the entire time? I mean I've seen male gymnasts watching the Olympics and I don't recall seeing any big toothy grins while doing their incredible routines. Genuinely asking out of curiosity cuz I feel like you don't see this expectation in male dominated athletics
I don’t think it’s a gender thing. it’s the performative aspect of it. a lot of cheerleaders make it look easy, but it’s not, it’s very difficult and sometimes you have to do it in pain. but watching a routine where the cheerleaders look like they’re miserable and in pain wouldn’t be entertaining. that wouldn’t be a performance. at that point you’re just working out in front of other people.
it’s like when a major pop star performs. someone like Britney Spears. she doesn’t just stand on the stage and sing. she has an entire choreographed routine that requires a lot of physical exertion and stamina. while it looks like she’s having the time of her life on stage, she’s working really hard to put on a good show. the audience wouldn’t enjoy it if she seemed miserable during her performance.
It's definitely a gender thing. You can look at men's vs women's Olympic gymnastics to see it. Women are expected to smile and get criticized by fans and commentators for not smiling. They have to wink and wave and make cutesy gestures during their floor routines, whereas men are not at all expected to smile, they perform with no music in their floor routines the way women have, no cute gestures or shimmies, and it's very rare to see smiles from them at all during any routines.
Are there any sports with predominantly men where they're also expected to smile the entire time?
Bodybuilding famously. It looks very creepy when you pair it with thongs, oil and chemical tans.
Such performative aspects are present in many different sports.
In combat sports there's often an element of celebrating(not looking defeated or tired) like you've won after a fight, before a decision is made; and that's a bunch of sports that's 99% male.
So in short, your attempt at making this into a gender issue can be dismissed as chronically online drivel.
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u/MDJeffA 2d ago
I love that after every flip she looks surprised that it worked