The Eagles Cheerleaders will announce their new 2025 roster in the weeks to come. Much like the team they support on the field, many of the veterans will return from the Super Bowl squad, but change is in the air as Arielle and Tamia completed their sixth and final seasons in 2024.
And what a way to finish!
Arielle, a Philly native and team captain, was selected to represent the Eagles Cheerleaders at the Pro Bowl in Orlando. One week later, Arielle was in New Orleans with Tamia and the rest of the squad, engaging with fans and celebrating the franchise's second Super Bowl Championship. Tamia, who was born and raised in California before graduating from Lincoln University, an HBCU just outside of Philadelphia, was one of the few Eagles Cheerleaders designated to perform at the NFL's first-ever game in South America before wrapping up her career alongside her teammates in New Orleans.
The two young women epitomize what the Eagles Cheerleaders are all about, from their experience and talent as dancers to their extensive accomplishments off the field, as well as their service to the organization as global brand ambassadors.
In their own words, Arielle and Tamia relive some of their favorite moments as Eagles Cheerleaders and the advice that they want to share with the current and future members of the squad:
Arielle
Born and raised in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, Arielle attended Junior Cheer Clinics hosted by the Eagles when she was younger. A die-hard Eagles fan her whole life, Arielle recalls when tight end Brent Celek signed an autograph for her while she attended Greenfield Elementary School. Arielle admits that 2025 will be tough for her to top. Not only did she perform at the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl, but she also earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Neumann University. She is set to begin her clinicals at an outpatient facility.
On being a Philly native and representing her hometown team: "It means the world to me. I never thought I would be an Eagles Cheerleader. That's why it's been so surreal this whole time. I can't explain what it means to me to be able to represent my city and the team I've literally loved my whole entire life. That always made me feel closer to the organization and everything that we do."
On being named a captain for her final season: "I was able to step up and truly be one of the leaders, not only in the sense of a captain, but a leader in the sense of a six-year veteran, someone who's been dancing since I was 3. You just have a different perspective. I've grown into the most confident person. When I first made the team, I didn't tell anyone I was auditioning. I'm from Philadelphia, but there was no one in the audience for me (at the Final Audition Show). I remember looking out and feeling a bit lonely, wishing I had told someone. But once I made the team, I felt something switch inside of me and I just became a more confident person, someone who looked at any challenge like, 'I can do this.' I think once I made the team, I realized my own power and that continued to be reinforced throughout the years."
On nearly leaving the squad after being accepted to pursue her doctorate in physical therapy: "The past six years have shown me the way I've been able to push myself. We sacrifice, but we love what we do and I wouldn't change it for the world. Looking back, it has been so beneficial to my growth and my character development over the years."
On the Pro Bowl experience: "There are so many amazing individuals on the Eagles Cheerleaders. It's something I never wanted to really wrap my head around too much or get too caught up in. I put other people first and always looked out for what's best for the team. I'm grateful to have been chosen, and it was truly an unforgettable feeling when I found out, and getting to experience that whole Pro Bowl week right before Super Bowl week, I had an insane two weeks. For a lot of us at the Pro Bowl, it was our last time being able to dance in a stadium in front of fans or put on the uniform. It was an amazing bonding experience. It was an incredible performance experience. Knowing that we were all picked by our teams, it was the best of the best. I left the Pro Bowl feeling so empowered and so confident in everything that I had done over the past six years."
On the Super Bowl: "It was truly great to be in New Orleans and there were so many Eagles fans. There were definitely more Eagles fans than Chiefs fans. Nothing compared to being there and doing snow angels in the confetti on the field after watching that amazing game. As a dancer, getting to perform at a Super Bowl is indescribable. You work your whole life to be a dancer and to perform as a dancer at the Super Bowl is such an accolade unto itself. The energy in that stadium was so electric, it's something I will never forget. Knowing it was the last time I was taking the field, it was emotional. You couldn't ask for a better outcome than that."
On her advice to next year's squad: "It's about living in the moment. This is a job, but it's also a place for us to let our hair down and dance and come together with our teammates. There's nothing you can't do. Always push yourself, never set boundaries or limitations on what you're able to do. If I had stepped down due to pursuing my doctorate, I would have never known how much I could do and that goes for everything in life."
Tamia
Tamia was inspired by the Parade of Champions following the Super Bowl LII win to try out for the Eagles Cheerleaders.
"That's the first time I've ever experienced joy like that," Tamia said. "Everyone was on the same page. Everyone was so happy. It was such a contagious feeling."
The Fontana, California native earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Lincoln University and didn't have concrete plans to remain in the area until she earned a spot on the Eagles Cheerleaders in 2019. Tamia believed it was fate that was calling her to stay in Philadelphia and establish roots in the region. She kicked off her final season in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of the contingent that welcomed the NFL to South America as the Eagles toppled the Packers for the first time this past season on the way to Super Bowl LIX.
"That was amazing," said Tamia, who did a study abroad program in Guayaquil, Ecuador during her time at Lincoln. "Once the shock wore off, the responsibility set in that we're going to be some of these fans' first experience of American football and American cheerleading. By the time we got there, it felt like a gameday in Philly. Despite the language barrier, they welcomed us with open arms. No matter the language, everyone knows about music and dancing. That was a touch point that anybody could relate to, no matter the background. It's almost like a universal language. That was incredible to experience."
On serving the Eagles as a brand ambassador: "I love what we get to do with the young children at the Eagles Cheer Clinics. They come to learn from us, and when they go at the end of the day, and their parents come up to us and say how much this means to them, I love that part. You see the same children come back year after year. I also loved to volunteer every year at the Ronald McDonald House. Getting to meet those patients who come from all over the country and giving them that one-on-one experience, it can really turn someone's day around."
On engaging with Eagles fans: "At autograph signings, I would get to listen to generational stories of people being Eagles fans. I think that takes the cake, besides anything that could happen on gameday, is just hearing how dedicated and loyal the fans are. We have the most passionate fans in the whole entire league and to experience that on gameday is indescribable."
On representing HBCUs as an Eagles Cheerleader: "I was the only one with that background when I first joined the squad, so it felt like such a huge responsibility. When I was trying out for the squad in 2023, my final audition routine was HBCU style, stomp and shake, and I felt so accomplished for bringing attention to that style of dance and hopefully in the future more performers showcase that genre."
On her growth over six years as an Eagles Cheerleader: "I used to be one of the more soft-spoken, quiet ones, but after a few seasons, I could be asked, 'Can you do an interview with Entertainment Tonight right now?' and I could say, yes, and I can articulate any part of the mission of the organization. It's night and day."
On her future aspirations: "I always knew I wanted to encourage more young women and minorities to pursue a career in STEM. When you graduate with a degree in biology, you think there's only a career as a doctor or as a nurse, but there are all of these other careers. I think being an Eagles Cheerleader and having that confidence in being able to dazzle an audience and bring them into what I'm trying to say goes a long way, especially with younger kids."
On her message to the team upon leaving: "This is an opportunity that thousands of people vie for. We are the few chosen to take on this huge responsibility. I want them always to have that in the back of their mind."
