Comedian and actress Atsuko Okatsuka has become the NFL’s inaugural Celebrity Guest Cheerleader, performing alongside the Los Angeles Rams during their Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium.
Returning to the sidelines
For Okatsuka, a native Angeleno and former Venice High School cheerleader, the performance marked a return to the activity after nearly 20 years. Preparing for the routine involved studying choreography at home before attending weekly rehearsals with the Rams cheerleaders. On game day, she executed the routine to Katseye’s song “Animal” in front of a sold-out crowd.
“It takes me back to performing good spirits through dance. I haven’t done that in a minute,” Okatsuka said following the performance.
Expanding fan engagement
The Celebrity Guest Cheerleader initiative builds upon the league’s previous “Celebrity Guest” series, which launched last year by placing professional athletes, actors, and musicians on the sidelines as photographers. Participants in the earlier program included Jerry Rice, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Method Man, Common, Joel McHale, Ken Griffey Jr., Benson Boone, and Marshawn Lynch.
Rob Santini, the NFL’s vice president of global culture, social, and entertainment, stated that the programs aim to connect audiences to the game through various cultural voices and experiences. Kurt Gies, director of social media and influencers for the Los Angeles Rams, noted that Okatsuka’s participation stemmed from a popular bit in her 2025 Hulu stand-up comedy special, “Father,” which explores the mindset of former cheerleaders.
The initiative is set to continue with future celebrity guest cheerleaders appearing during upcoming NFL holiday games.