“Cheer” Coach Monica Aldama Says Lawsuit Accusing Her Of Covering Up Sexual Assault Claims Has Been Dismissed

The USA Cheer coach at the center of a sexual assault cover-up has revealed that the lawsuit against her has been dropped. 

Monica Aldama, head coach and star of the Netflix series Cheer, was sued, along with several other cheer officials, in April 2023 after a cheerleader claimed Aldama convinced her not to report a sexual assault she endured in 2021 by a male member of the Navarro cheer squad. 

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When the plaintiff told Aldama about the assault, the coach allegedly said, “Let’s not make this a big deal,” and tried to bribe her with the promise of helping further her career. The plaintiff quit the team just days after these comments from Aldama. However, despite such strong claims, Aldama denied the allegations, and now, the lawsuit has been dismissed. 

Aldama revealed the news in an Instagram post on Saturday. 

“It’s 10:00 p.m. and I am just finding my voice today,” she said. “I have been at a loss for words since 9:00 a.m. this morning. Today, I have cried, I’ve laughed, I’ve felt incredible relief, but I have also been somewhat consumed by sadness and anger.”

“This morning at about 9:00 a.m., USA Cheer, the organization that is the national governing body of the sport that I have given my heart and soul to for decades, sent my attorney, Russell Prince, an email informing him that the allegations that were made against me in an April 26, 2023 lawsuit were being dismissed and the complaint against me at USA Cheer was being closed,” Aldama wrote. 

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Currently, no plans have been announced to bring Cheer back for season three, as the show has endured its share of scandal. In 2020, former Navarro cheerleader Jerry Harris was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. In February 2022, he received 12 years in prison.