“Really Don’t Take It Seriously” – Canadian Actress Devery Jacobs on Her Latest Cheerleading Movie, ‘Backspot,’ and Why She Thinks the Sport Is Important

Cheerleading is one sport, that is slowly breaking the gender barrier. Recently, Justine Lindsay became the first openly trans cheerleader in the NFL. However, the sport still has a long way to go. Canadian actress Devery Jacobs is strongly looking to further this cause. She recently acted in a film called “Backspot” where she paired with director D.W Waterson to create awareness on this topic.

She seeks to underline the misogyny that plagues the sport and calls for a more inclusive environment. Through this film, she hopes to bring about a greater awareness of the physical and mental toll that queer cheerleaders face when they pursue the dream of cheerleading.

Queerness and Cheerleading

Jacobs, who plays a key role in the film, believes that cheerleading deserves a closer look as a sport. She explains, “I think that we wanted to explore cheerleading as a sport, mostly cause it’s like, yes there is electronic music, and you’re like an electronic music producer, you’re a DJ, I have a background in competitive gymnastics. I used to be a former champion, but aside from that, it is an underestimating sport. People don’t take it seriously, and it’s partly cause of misogyny since it’s considered like a ‘woman’s’ sport.”

One of the striking aspects of cheerleading that drew Jacobs to the project is its close connection to queerness. She elaborates, “There’s so many ties between queerness and cheerleading – the music, the campiness, the glitter. There’s such an attractive quality to cheer for queer folks.” This unique blend of elements in cheerleading makes it a powerful vehicle for self-expression and inclusivity.

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“Backspot” is not just another coming-out story; it’s a film that places its conflict squarely within the world of cheerleading.

Backspot – What to Expect

Director D.W. Waterson, making her directorial debut with this project, shares her perspective: “Feel like we see so many films, naturally in stories we need a conflict, where conflicts are usually around how hard it is to be queer, and the coming out. I want to move beyond the coming-out story and really put the conflict on the sport. That’s where there is so much conflict. To see the toll it takes on the body and mind. Just seeing queer folk in the sport, which bodies belong in which categories, and all those things. I saw them as athletes, just athletes.”

“Backspot” follows Riley, a mid-level cheerleader who joins the elite Thunderhawks All-Star team, facing intense competition pressure. The film delves beyond Cheer’s glamor, exploring Riley’s battles with crippling anxiety, her relationship challenges, and her quest for coach approval. It sheds light on the physical and mental toll of cheerleading, offering a raw, compelling narrative.

In a world where cheerleaders are often reduced to stereotypes, “Backspot” challenges the status quo by portraying them as athletes who push their bodies and minds to the limit. Devery Jacobs, with her background in competitive gymnastics, brings authenticity and passion to the project, reinforcing the message that cheerleading deserves recognition as a legitimate sport.

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