It’s just before halftime of the Los Angeles Rams’ Monday Night Football matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is standing in the tunnel, hyping herself up.
\n\nIn less than a minute, the comedian, actress and native Angeleno will strut onto the field at SoFi Stadium to perform with the Rams cheerleaders. Okatsuka hides behind a bright smile while marking her dance moves, but she’ll later admit to being “super nervous.” Sure, she’ll only be dancing for about 45 seconds, but it’s been nearly 20 years since she last shook her poms.
\n\nFortunately, when Okatsuka cartwheels into the center of the formation, muscle memory takes over. Her Venice High School cheer skills come rushing back. (She was voted “Most Spirited,” after all!) The sold-out crowd cheers while the newest Rams cheerleader grooves to the high-tempo beat of Katseye’s “Animal” and, then, in an instant, her big moment is over. When the music ends, Okatsuka strikes her final pose — she crushed it — and now, she runs back toward the tunnel with the rest of her new squad.
\n\nOkatsuka stops to share her instant reaction with Variety: “I’m so old,” she cracks.
\n\nA few minutes later, she sinks…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/