The Stumble Cast on Combining Comedy with Cheerleading, Cast Friendships and Making a Mockumentary
Arriving on the set of Stumble, a new NBC mockumentary centered on competitive junior college cheerleading, was an exhilarating experience. The production team constructed a full-size replica of a junior college gym on a Brooklyn soundstage, immersing everyone in the world of the show.
Creative Team
- Words: Lauren O’Neill
- Photography and creative direction: Lewis Vorn
- Videographer: Marie Koury
- Makeup: Anissa, Arianna – Mikey Clifton; Georgie, Taylor – Erin Acker
- Hair: Taylor – Michael Zambrano; Anissa and Georgie – Beth Rolon; Arianna – Gayette Williams
- Styling: Georgie solos – Zoe Gofman; Arianna solos – Venetia Kidd; Anissa solos – Marissa Pelly; Cheer costumes – Leah Katznelson and Angel Peart
Cheerleading in the Mainstream
In 2025, a show like Stumble feels long overdue. Over recent years, competitive and professional cheerleading have steadily gained attention. The 2020 debut of Netflix’s Cheer marked a turning point, captivating audiences worldwide and inspiring many to try moves like back handsprings at home. The series’ success was followed by another major release, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary America’s Sweethearts.
Both programmes revealed the real people behind the sheen, tapping into the cheerleader as a figure beyond the bitchy high school archetype.
Author’s Summary
Stumble captures the evolving image of cheerleading, blending comedy and authenticity to showcase the real stories behind the routines.