The Stumble Cast: Blending Comedy with Cheerleading and Friendship
I stepped onto the set of Stumble, a new NBC mockumentary centered on competitive junior college cheerleading, and felt an instant rush. The Brooklyn soundstage featured a full-size replica of a junior college gym, creating an authentic backdrop.
Production Team and Creative Direction
- Written by Lauren O’Neill
- Photography and creative direction by Lewis Vorn
- Videographer: Marie Koury
- Makeup artists: Anissa, Arianna - Mikey Clifton, Georgie, Taylor - Erin Acker
- Hair stylists: Taylor - Michael Zambrano; Anissa and Georgie - Beth Rolon; Arianna - Gayette Williams
- Stylists: Georgie solos - Zoe Gofman; Arianna solos - Venetia Kidd; Anissa solos - Marissa Pelly; Cheer costumes - Leah Katznelson and Angel Peart
The Rise of Cheerleading Culture on Screen
In 2025, a show like Stumble was long overdue. Over recent years, competitive and professional cheerleading has captured public attention. Since Netflix’s Cheer premiered in 2020 and became a global sensation—it even inspired viewers to attempt back handsprings at home—cheer culture has steadily entered the mainstream.
Netflix built on Cheer's success with the documentary America’s Sweethearts, which highlighted the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Both shows humanized cheerleaders beyond typical high school stereotypes.
“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 arrives as a fresh comedic take on competitive cheerleading, reflecting the growing mainstream fascination with the sport and the authentic stories behind the athletes.