The Unexpected Cheerleading Backgrounds of Some of Your Favorite Celebrities

Eva Longoria leveraged her cheerleading experience to launch an unexpected early career.

Eva Longoria is widely recognized for her portrayal of Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives. Many of her avid supporters might not be aware that she used to be a cheerleader. Indeed, she cheered at Roy Miller High School and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Cheerleading was the beginning of Eva’s journey to fame in areas beyond acting, such as beauty pageants. She participated in and won several beauty contests, including the notable Miss Corpus Christi pageant in 1988. Cheerleading paved the way for beauty pageants, which subsequently contributed to the launch of her acting career. It all began with a bit of school spirit and a determination to continually better herself, leading to her success today.