Life’s a dance for the first-ever NFL male cheerleader Quinton Peron

LGBTQ representation is not just for Hollywood anymore. Our community made NFL and Super Bowl history for Super Bowl LIII as dancer and choreographer Quinton Peron and his cheer mate Napoleon Jinnies took to the field with the Los Angles Rams as the first-ever male cheerleaders. Met with a media frenzy, the response was mostly positive, and the cheers were for the team and for the cheerleaders alike. While openly gay, currently active NFL football players are still non-existent, we are at least on the field. The Rams did not set out to make history, but with the progression of inclusivity and the celebration of changes in the machismo world, they did. Quinton, already a success as a dancer-choreographer, would become quickly become a spokesperson for the black and LGBTQ community, whether he was ready or not. He has a special regard for youth not only through his dance instruction but also through activism having spoken at both The Rose Bowl’s annual youth conference, #ThisGen, and the Human Rights Campaign’s annual youth conference, Time to Thrive. His Instagram videos of him and his dance students are a breath of social media fresh air and a view of the skillset of the new generation of dancers.

Quinton started dancing at the age of 16 in high school and because of the progressive and supportive environment fostered there, his participation in dance was not a subject of bullying, but rather a celebration. He joined the Varsity Dance Team, led dance clubs, and started his professional dance instruction by the time he finished school.

Today he choreographs for various NBA and NFL dance teams, all-star teams, and dance studios across the world. Dance Moms who? HE needs his own show! He has also been featured in the 2020 Nike BETRUE campaign. Some of his performance and choreography credits include The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Universal Studios Japan, Carrie Underwood, T-Pain, Pepsi, Nike, To Tell the Truth, Swae Lee, French Montana, Jay Rock, Fresh and Easy, Ru Paul, Good Morning America, and ESPN. He has received numerous Choreographic, Artistic, and ‘Overall High Score’ Awards at both the Regional and National levels.

He is a gentleman and remains humble even as his star shines brightly. He is among the new faces of Pride; this is what our future looks like. 

What made you want to audition for the RAMS? 

Three years ago, I was at a Lakers Game with my best friends, and I caught a glimpse of the Laker Girls performing mid-court. I recognized a few of them on the court and asked myself ‘why can’t I do that?’ I danced with a few of these girls in high school and college, and in fact, I had taught a few of them at various workshops and masterclasses. I decided to call a friend who had been a Rams cheerleader the year prior to ask about auditions. She told me the audition was the coming Sunday, so I decided to just show up.

Was the audition rehearsal daunting? 

The audition process starts out with a round of across the floor, which consists of kicks, leaps, and turns, and then there is a big cut! Then a choreography round follows and then there is another cut. Once you find out if you made finals, the two-week rehearsal process begins which also includes an interview with the director and the VP of Marketing. After those two long weeks, there is a final showcase where the participants perform all the routines learned over the two-week rehearsal process in front of a panel of judges. From there, the team is selected.

How was your relationship with the LGBTQ community changed the most since making NFL history? 

I feel that ever since making the team, I have been able to build a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and football. I have had many friends, family, students, and strangers tell me that they now watch football games because of me and that they love it now, which makes me feel good.

How do you think we can build better bridges with the straight community? 

We all want love. We all want to be accepted. We all want a community. Once we realize that we all have more in common than differences, I really do believe that the two communities can find love within each other.

What is your creative process when coming up with choreography? 

For me, the process is simple. Know the venue that the choreography is going to be performed and from there, I let the music do the rest!

What is it like traveling with a football team? 

For our organization, we only cheer at home games. As for travel, I have been lucky enough to travel to London, Guam, South Korea, Japan, and Hawaii with the team for various performances and Pro Tours, League sponsored trips to visit military bases all over the world to boost the morale for our troops.

Have you had to deal with any social media haters? If so, what tips do you have for dealing with social media trolls? 

To be honest, I have been blessed enough to where I have not had to deal with many trolls. Occasionally, I will get the random picture-less profile in the DM’s talking crazy, but a simple block will straighten things out.

You are now considered a role model to the LGBTQ community, which comes with some pressure. How do you deal with your personal life vs public life as an LGBTQ history maker? 

I have always committed to being an open book on social media and in “real life” as well. So, for me, there isn’t a difference. Whether it is online, or in a store, you will always see the Real Quinton and that has made balancing all the new spotlight manageable.

You are constantly traveling and performing – how do you maintain friendships and a relationship when you are so busy? 

Honestly, communication and LOTS OF COLD BREW!

What does Pride mean to you this year? 

Pride to me means self-love and self-acceptance. Pride, to me, means I can walk around in a space and be truly and unapologetically myself.

What makes a good dancer? 

What makes a dancer good, to me, is a mixture of things. Style, technique, passion, the will to be vulnerable mixed with a sense of individuality, makes the perfect dancer in my eyes.

What tips do you have for a dancer trying to break into the biz? 

My tips for dancers trying to break into this business are simple. Know the team or gig you are auditioning for, be comfortable in their style and KILL IT! There is enough winning out there for everyone. FIND your lane and THRIVE!

What was it like hitting the field for Super Bowl? 

Super Bowl day was tough. However, Super Bowl week was even tougher. The organization sent about 10 of us cheerleaders out to Atlanta the week before the game to handle most of the promos. Promos from countless meet and greets and picture signings, to filming episodes of Double Dare, Good Morning America, and the Today Show. The week leading up to the game was full of late nights and early morning call times. They kept us busy, but I would have it no other way. Gameday itself was UNBELIEVABLE! We started our very early morning with a field practice of all our routines we would perform during the game. Walking on that field for the first time while the stadium was relatively empty had me very emotional. I was picturing what it would be like when the stands were full and again, I was holding back tears. Performing at the Super Bowl was something that I thought I would never get to do and being able to share that experience with my teammates was a dream come true.  Just being there is an honor and for that, I was and still am so grateful. 

Was the after-party for Super Bowl crazy? 

 Two words… SNOOP DOGG… that’s all. 

How have the female cheerleaders accepted you? 

99% of them have and some of my best relationships and friendships have come from this opportunity. I went into this experience wanting to create “bridesmaid” type friendships and relationships. The type of relationships that will last a lifetime and it makes me so happy to know that I have. My teammate, Kalia, recently asked me to be a “Bridesman” at her wedding this September and I couldn’t be happier. This is what dancing in the pros is about for me.

What would you tell your 5-year-old self? 

I would tell 5-year-old Little Q that that feeling you have inside, don’t hide it. Nothing is wrong with you. Yes, you are different, but that difference is what makes you special. You are a star baby boy. OWN IT!

What is your message to your fans this Pride?  

My message to our LGBTQ fans would be to be proud of yourself. As a dance teacher, I preach self-love to my students, EVERY DAY. Nobody is going to love you better than the way you love yourself.

Photos: courtesy of Quinton Peron