Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Armani Latimer, 23, made history Monday night when she stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium without a wig for the first time. Her performance during the Cowboys’ game against the Bengals was a part of the team’s “My Cause My Boots” campaign, an initiative aligned with the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” program, where athletes champion causes close to their hearts.
Latimer, who has been on the cheer squad for five years, was diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss, at age 12. Speaking with The Dallas Morning News, she shared the significance of the moment: “I knew that, as soon as I stepped out of the tunnel with no wig on, it would be a conversation starter. I didn’t want to do the moment any disjustice.”
Latimer’s decision to perform bald comes after years of grappling with societal and professional pressures around appearance. The stress of auditions and maintaining the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ famously polished image accelerated her hair loss early in her career. By her second season on the squad, she had lost all her hair.
“There were a lot of times, after first losing my hair, that I would get dressed in the morning with all the lights off,” Latimer revealed. “I didn’t really know how to look at myself in the mirror with no hair without fully breaking down into tears.”
Latimer has previously shared her journey with alopecia in interviews, describing the challenges she faced as her condition progressed. In high school, she concealed her hair loss, but in college, stress led to more significant hair thinning. She began wearing wigs when she joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, after losing all her hair.
Speaking to Women’s Health earlier, Latimer said her team and family provided critical support, helping her embrace her condition. “Overall, my team and my family helped me maintain a positive mindset. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my support system,” she said.
The pressure to meet the squad’s traditional standards wasn’t new. Dana Presley Killmer, a former Cowboys cheerleader from 1981 to 1985, reflected on the intense expectations of her era. “You couldn’t run down the street to the mini-mart without full hair and makeup,” Killmer said. “If you were caught driving with rollers in your hair or a scarf, you’d get written up or even benched for a game.”
Despite these challenges, Latimer found strength in her support system, which included her fellow cheerleaders and her father, who also has alopecia. Over time, she embraced her condition and her identity, both with and without her wig.
“With or without my wig on, you couldn’t tell me that I’m not the most beautiful person in the world,” Latimer said. “It’s really important to look at myself now and see what I’ve been through.”
Latimer’s brave performance resonated far beyond the stadium. A clip shared on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Instagram, showing her hugging teammates before their pregame routine, has garnered over three million views. The video also highlights Latimer’s heartfelt interactions with her squad, underscoring the strong camaraderie that helped her through this journey.
“There’s moms showing their daughters who have alopecia, their little boys who have alopecia. They’re so excited that they have someone to look up to,” Latimer shared. “As scared as I was to step out on that field, today I’m grateful that I did.”
Latimer’s performance featured the squad’s iconic “Thunderstruck” routine and kick line, drawing cheers from the crowd and emotional support from viewers across the globe. Her decision to perform without her wig marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about alopecia and promote self-acceptance.
Latimer’s bold move also challenged the historical image of professional cheerleaders, once dominated by the Farrah Fawcett-inspired teased curls and flawless appearances. Achieving these looks often required hours of preparation and rigorous adherence to beauty standards. Today, Latimer’s courage reflects a shift in what it means to be a cheerleader—showcasing authenticity, resilience, and representation.
Her actions not only inspire individuals with alopecia but also spark broader conversations about embracing individuality and breaking outdated stereotypes.
With her story now a beacon of hope, Latimer continues to represent the evolution of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the broader cheerleading community, where athleticism, courage, and self-expression take center stage.
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