Ever wondered what happened to some of your favorite Alouettes cheerleaders? In our “Once an Alouette, Always an Alouette” series, we catch up with our former cheerleaders to see what they’re up to now!
Today, we’re going to learn more about Joëlle, who was part of our cheer squad for 11 years, from 2004 to 2015!
What have you been up to since your time with the Alouettes, and where are you now?
I was an Alouettes cheerleader for 11 seasons, from 2004 to 2015. A few months after I retired from the squad, I started my business with my colleagues and friends Lili-Pierre and Noëlle-Émilie, both former fellow Alouettes cheerleaders. We are the founders of Studio Innova Danse on the South Shore of Montreal. It’s a dream come true.
In 2016, I had my third child, a little boy, to complete my family. My oldest son and my daughter both experienced a few football games in my belly as I was still on the team when I had them!
I still dance to this day. It’s my passion, my fuel.
What’s your best memory as a cheerleader for the Alouettes?
I have so many great memories. This 11-year long adventure brought countless memorable experiences.
It comes without saying that all the trips and the Grey Cup wins remain at the top of my list. I’ve had so many magical and emotion-filled moments.
Being a dancer at heart, I have to say that performing at halftime alongside Nelly Furtado in a sold-out stadium with fireworks shooting up in the sky, or dancing with Hedley at the Bell Center surrounded by screaming fans, are moments I’ll always remember.
What’s your funniest anecdote?
When you’re driving on the highway and cars suddenly start slowing down, you wonder what the cause of that traffic jam might be. One would expect to see construction or an accident.
You wouldn’t expect to see on the side of the road a woman posing in a bathing suit doing a photoshoot for a calendar…in the dead of winter!
What’s a lesson you learned during your time with the Alouettes?
As cheerleaders, our job isn’t limited to dancing. We become ambassadors. Professionalism, work ethic, interpersonal skills, charisma, and positivism are all elements that I developed over the years, and that are still very useful in my work and everyday life.
I’ll always be grateful for the enriching experiences, the wonderful encounters, and the positive impact that this team has had on me.
Thank you, Annie. Thank you, Alouettes.
