In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, cheerleaders from the final teams, particularly the New England Patriots, have spoken out about the stringent appearance requirements they must adhere to. Megan Montiero, a cheerleader for the Patriots, revealed in a recent interview that they are not allowed to make significant changes to their appearances after tryouts, underscoring the rigid beauty standards that can impact their roles. In practice, this means that cheerleaders must maintain their hair color and overall aesthetic as originally approved during auditions.

Montiero shared that while cheerleaders can suggest hair color changes to their coaches, any alteration must align with the team's image and be deemed beneficial for the group. The clarity of these rules highlights the pressure that cheerleaders face to conform to specific looks, which may not only affect their self-expression but also the overall perception of cheerleading as a profession within the NFL. Interestingly, some flexibility is allowed between games, as cheerleaders can temporarily change their hairstyles for matches but must return to their original look otherwise.

These demands raise questions about the broader implications of appearance standards in sports entertainment, particularly for women who may feel the need to adhere to unrealistic ideals of beauty for their roles. As cheerleaders like Montiero bring attention to these issues, it may prompt discussions about the necessity for more inclusive and supportive guidelines that respect the individuality of performers while still maintaining team cohesion.