For fans of competitive cheerleading, few teams hold as much legendary status as Cali Smoed. Known for their World Championship legacy, Smoed is making a powerful return to their original Small Coed division—a journey now captured in a new YouTube series, Cali Cheer Show. Executive Producer Autumn deVitry shares the unexpected path that led her back to the cheer world, her reunion with head coach Eddie Rios, and her team’s efforts to bring this story to life.
For deVitry, the journey in creating the series has been as personal as it has been professional, allowing her to reconnect with the cheer community and capture one of the sport’s most anticipated comeback stories.
With seven World Championship titles—2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2022—Smoed has set the bar in the Senior Small Coed division. For the 24/25 season, Smoed is making a return to their original division, with the goal of reclaiming the title that originally defined their legacy. It’s a comeback that has the cheer world buzzing, and now, thanks to Cali Cheer Show, fans can follow every step of this journey. deVitry’s series promises to document their high-stakes return, showcasing the work, resilience, and competitive spirit that continue to set Smoed apart from the pack.
What makes Cali Cheer Show even more fascinating is how it came to life. deVitry, who previously worked with Smoed’s head coach Eddie Rios on the series Cheerleaders, had no plans for a new show with Smoed. But that changed when a rumor surfaced on Cheer Confessions, a cheer gossip account on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that she was working on a new project with Smoed. The rumor quickly spread, racking up over 123,000 views, and caught the attention of Rios himself.
“Eddie sent me a screenshot and joked, ‘Looks like we’re doing a show!’” deVitry laughs. The fan response was immediate, and the rumor sparked an idea. “If there was that much demand, maybe we should consider it,” she recalls. What began as a joke quickly took on a life of its own as deVitry spoke with Rios and California All-Stars founder Tannaz Emamjomeh. Seeing the potential, deVitry gathered a small crew and set out to document one of the most anticipated comeback stories in the cheer world.
While the concept had the potential to capture a large audience, funding presented a challenge. Unlike traditional TV productions, Cali Cheer Show started on a shoestring budget. deVitry turned to her former production team, many of whom had worked with her on Cheerleaders, and explained the limited resources available. “I could pay for gas and food, but that was about it,” she admits. Despite the financial constraints, her team, inspired by the chance to capture Smoed’s journey from the inside, signed on.
As filming began, deVitry found herself re-immersed in the cheer world. A former cheerleader herself, she understood the complexities and intensity of competitive cheerleading, and she wanted to bring that authenticity to the screen. “There’s something really special about this sport,” she says. “It’s not for everyone—you really have to love cheer to stay committed at this level.”
To ensure the series’ sustainability, deVitry looked for sponsors who shared her vision. Eddie suggested she reach out to Rebel Athletic, a brand that already supplied Smoed’s uniforms. One call led to another, and soon Rebel came on board as a key sponsor, providing uniforms, shoes, and practice wear while promoting the show through its platforms.
Working with Rebel Athletic allowed deVitry creative freedom—an essential factor for Cali Cheer Show. “Rebel gave us the freedom to create something real,” she explains. Unlike traditional network-backed productions, where multiple layers of notes and approvals can slow creative decisions, Rebel offered a partnership based on trust. “They gave us financial sponsorship backed with apparel and shoes, and trusted our vision, which was critical for a project like this.”
As fans know, Smoed’s success is tied to Eddie Rios, a coach with a reputation for his relentless drive, keen focus, and unwavering dedication to his athletes. Rios has guided Smoed through many of their championship seasons, bringing a unique mix of rigor and encouragement to the gym. But Cali Cheer Show reveals a different side of Rios—a coach who has evolved alongside his athletes.
“Eddie isn’t the same Eddie from 2013,” deVitry says. “He’s grown as a coach and a person. He still pushes the team, but his approach has changed in ways that are inspiring to watch. He’s constantly thinking about how to improve. His dedication is something to see.”
For Rios, this season is about more than competing; it’s about mentoring a new generation of champions. Smoed is preparing to face fierce competition in the Senior Small Coed Division, which has only intensified in recent years. But deVitry believes Rios’s leadership sets Smoed apart. “What other teams don’t have is Eddie Rios,” she says. “His impact on these athletes is immeasurable, and it’s a huge part of what makes Smoed so special.”
One of deVitry’s favorite aspects of Cali Cheer Show is working with teenage athletes. “Teens bring a kind of energy that’s unmatched,” she says. “They’re still excited by the lights, the travel, the thrill of competing.” For her, the joy and resilience these athletes bring to their routines adds a layer of authenticity to the show.
The docuseries doesn’t just capture Smoed’s performances; it dives into the athletes’ personal journeys. One story that has resonated with fans is Briley’s, a flyer struggling with a mental block on her tumbling. Despite her advanced skills, she has difficulty with certain elements, a challenge that makes her story both compelling and relatable. “Briley’s journey reminds us that the mental aspects of cheer are just as significant as the physical ones,” deVitry says.
deVitry’s approach as a producer is simple: let the athletes tell their stories. She learned from her time on Cheerleaders that the most powerful moments come from capturing athletes’ authentic selves, unfiltered and unscripted. “These kids aren’t actors; they’re athletes, and that’s what makes this story resonate.”
Launching Cali Cheer Show as an independent venture brought unique challenges. Unlike her previous projects, which had the backing of established networks, this project began with zero subscribers and no built-in audience. “I was the very first subscriber,” deVitry laughs. However, with each episode, viewership and engagement have grown steadily. Social media has also played a key role, especially on TikTok, where clips from the series have brought in thousands of new fans.
deVitry’s goals include reaching 100,000 YouTube subscribers and securing consistent 100,000+ view episodes by season’s end. Achieving these milestones, she believes, would solidify the show’s future and further validate the support from the cheer community. “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” she says. “We’re building something from the ground up, and the fan support has been incredible.”
For Smoed, the 2024-2025 season is about more than reclaiming their title. It’s about solidifying their legacy in a division that has only grown more competitive. Since stepping away from Small Coed, Smoed has seen the rise of new teams, intensifying the division. While many fans are cheering for Smoed to make a triumphant return, others are skeptical about their ability to reclaim the throne.
“Smoed is facing tougher competition than ever, but that’s what makes this season so thrilling,” deVitry says. “It’s not a guaranteed victory, and that’s why fans are on the edge of their seats.” With each episode, Cali Cheer Show captures these intense moments, from the demanding practices to the emotional highs and lows of competition.
As deVitry reflects on the series, she’s already envisioning what the future could hold. If Cali Cheer Show continues to build its following, deVitry hopes to bring fans a second season, one that could dive even deeper into the world of Smoed and showcase the ongoing evolution of their athletes. For deVitry, the potential for future seasons rests on both the audience’s interest and the support of the cheer community, which she’s seen grow stronger with each episode.
“A second season would allow us to show even more of what goes into making a champion,” she says. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what these athletes face. There are so many stories yet to be told.” From exploring how new athletes integrate into Smoed’s seasoned ranks to following the challenges that come with staying at the top, deVitry envisions Cali Cheer Show as a continuous documentary of the team’s evolution.
deVitry emphasizes a crucial gap in the cheer industry: accessible, high-quality content. Unlike other mainstream sports, cheerleading lacks a wealth of shows, series, or documentaries that explore what happens beyond the competition mat. Cheerleading, especially at the competitive level, requires an extraordinary combination of athleticism, mental toughness, and teamwork—but fans have had limited access to these stories outside of routine clips and competitions.
“There are millions of cheerleaders and fans out there, but there hasn’t been enough content to truly capture the depth of this sport,” she explains. “Yes, you can watch NCA or Worlds, but what about the journey behind those moments? The sacrifices, the triumphs, the failures, and everything in between?”
With Cali Cheer Show, deVitry aims to fill that gap, offering a window into the day-to-day lives of cheerleading athletes. It’s a mission she hopes to continue, as cheerleading’s popularity grows and its fans crave more insights into the lives of their favorite teams.
“The stakes are high, and the journey isn’t easy, but that’s what makes it so meaningful,” says deVitry. “When you see the athletes putting it all on the mat, you realize that cheerleading is about so much more than routines. It’s about family, perseverance, and the joy of pursuing something you love.”
With Smoed’s athletes and coaches putting in countless hours to perfect their routines, the show captures the highs and lows that come with competing at the elite level. From Briley’s mental block challenges to Eddie Rios’s relentless dedication to his team, Cali Cheer Show delves into the real, raw moments that define competitive cheer.
And for deVitry, the show is a celebration of a community she loves and respects. “I feel incredibly lucky to tell these stories,” she reflects. “This is more than just a project for me. It’s a way to give back to a sport and a community that has given me so much.” The 2024-2025 season marks a new chapter for Smoed, and Cali Cheer Show invites fans to join every step of the way. Catch new episodes each Wednesday at 4 p.m. PST on YouTube, and follow along on social media to stay up-to-date with the team’s progress. Whether you’re a die-hard Smoed fan or new to the cheer world, Cali Cheer Show offers a front-row seat to one of the most compelling comeback stories in cheerleading history.
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