Q & A
Goingfor it
Former NFL cheerleader TiffanyChantell-Rosania persists and prevails WRITTEN BY CINDY SCHWEICH HANDLER
PORTRAIT : AMY NEWMAN ; JETS : COURTESY OF TIFFANY CHANTELL-ROSANIA
How did you become interested in dancing ?
I was inspired watchingmusic videos on TV that showcased dance moves . I looked up to Janet Jackson and Britney Spears . I went to danceschool , and when Iwas 13 , they held araffle in our middle schooltobeina Rugrats commercial . I was one out of seven individuals to appear in the ad , which was filmed at our school . From that moment , I wanted to get into entertainment . I took modeling classes in New York until I was a sophomore , and 9 / 11 ( happened ).
As ateen , Little
Falls native Tiffany Chantell-Rosania took modeling classes at Manhattan ’ s John Robert Powers Modeling — until 9 / 11 , when the neighboring Twin Towers came down , and it closed . She poured her energies into cheerleading for Passaic Valley High School , and became team captain her senior year .
At 23 , she auditioned to be a
Did you continue to dance cheerleader for the NYJets football team , but didn ’ t make the cut ; she after college ?
tried again the following year , and Yes . Iused to cheer at an open gym called made it . At 27 , she moved to L . A . Just Cheer in Fairfield , and they had ahip-hop dance team . We competed at Disney World to model and dance , only to find that against teams from England , China and other her competition was younger and countries , and took seventh place inthe more driven . Instead , she and her rehearse three evenings aweek for three world . Hip-hop is fast-paced and very best friend won aspot on the reality hours each . Every week the routines change , different from the NFL technique . and every night you learn anew routine and show The Amazing Race , toured the have to have it perfected by the next day . We globe and came in fourth place . How did you hear about auditions do five dances per game . You ’ re dancing so Chantell-Rosania has worked hard for the NY Jets Flight Crew much , you burn 1600 calories per day . for her successes . Now married and cheerleaders , and what was
Also , you get abinder with everything the mother of a3-year-old son , she the process of trying out like ? you need to know at orientation ; it ’ s full of has been sharing her personal story football knowledge about the history of the
Isaw an ad that theywere havingan on Sports Illustrated ’ s Instagram
Jets and everything about your division . Ihad audition . Over 600 girls go to these open account , where her submission tape flash cards onthe train going to rehearsal . calls . Basically , the first round is freestyle , to be an SI swimsuit model has We would get quizzed every week , and that where the director wants to see your look been viewed 17,000 times . The would determine whether you were going to and dance technique . The second day , you dance ornot . Ilearned alot about the Jets , so narrative she shares , of awoman learn choreography . Then they choose the Ibecame aJets fan after that . who has suffered two miscarriages ones who will move on to the finals . That ’ s You have to have structure and discipline while attempting to have asecond when you compete against returning veterans . in your life , and it makes you grow up alot . child , reveals her most wrenching Once you make it , you have to re-audition challenge yet . Here , the Fairfield every year . The first year , 2010 , Ididn ’ t make
What are some highlights from it . ThenItriedagain in ‘ 11 and made it . Idid it resident and medical consultant three years , and had to try out each time . those years ? shares tips on resilience , knowing
Once you make the team , you ’ re committed to it . You work afull-timejob in the 80,000 fans . The adrenaline you feel is some-
The best thing about it is performing for when it ’ s time toshift gears and how todance in sky-high heels . day , and cheerlead full-time at night . You thing you can ’ t ever forget . Also , you gain
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WAYNE MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2020
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