Former Houston Texans cheerleader sues team over claims she was body-shamed for being 'skinny fat'
Rosa is being added to the lawsuit filed on behalf of five other former Texans cheerleaders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A former Houston Texans cheerleader is suing the team after she claims she was fat-shamed and forced to wear duct tape to appear slimmer.
During a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred, Angelina Rosa said that the Houston Texans cheerleading staff and alumni forcibly duct-taped parts of her body prior to a 2017 game to make her appear thinner.
Rosa also said she was “belittled and body-shamed on numerous occasions” for being “skinny fat” in the “hostile work environment.”
Skinny fat is a term often used to describe someone who looks thin but may actually be unhealthy due to high levels of body fat.
According to a 2008 study, the phenomenon, which is also referred to as “normal-weight obesity,” may affect up to one-fourth of normal weight people.
“Skinny fat” people can also be at a higher risk of health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
In addition to being “emotionally scarred” by the ordeal, the former cheerleader said that this constant fat-shaming led to her developing an eating disorder.
Rosa is the sixth former Texans cheerleaders to accuse the team of harassment and body-shaming.
In a letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ahead of the press conference, Allred, who is defending the other cheerleaders as well, wrote: "The NFL should stand for more than just greed. You dropped the ball. Instead of scoring a goal for women's rights, you retreated back to the locker room."
Following the announcement of the previous lawsuit, the NFL cheerleading team released a statement in which they said they “do not tolerate mistreatment of our cheer team” and “look forward to vigorously defending ourselves against these allegations.”
“I stand here to make sure no other girl or woman has to endure the same humiliation,” Rosa said during the press conference at the NFL headquarters in New York.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments