Cheerleaders ‘forced to pose topless’ while sponsors were given a close-up look, says report
Five former cheerleaders with the Washington Redskins told New York Times that some were also forced to act as escorts
Former members of the Washington Redskins cheerleaders squad – which performed in Hong Kong in 2009 as part of Lunar New Year celebrations – say they were forced to appear topless at an exclusive photoshoot in 2013, in which male representatives of key sponsors were able to get a close-up look.
The New York Times reported the story and the Redskins are now under fire with the ex-cheerleaders saying they were used for the benefit of sponsors and high-profile ticket holders, having also been forced to act as escorts.
According to the report, the cheerleaders completed a 14-hour day of poses and dance practices at the adult-only Occidental Grand Papagayo resort on Culebra Bay in Costa Rica.
Some were forced to pose topless and others wore just body paint but they were being watched by Redskins sponsors and some owners of corporate suites at Redskins’ stadium.
Afterwards, says the report, nine of them were selected for a “special assignment”. The report said male sponsors had picked them to be personal escorts at a nightclub.
“So get back to your room and get ready,” cheerleaders director Stephanie Jojokian reportedly told the women, some of whom started crying.
One of the cheerleaders was quoted saying: “They weren’t putting a gun to our heads, but it was mandatory for us to go. We weren’t asked, we were told. Other girls were devastated because we knew exactly what she was doing.”
The report said that sex was not involved.