Armani Latimer, a member of the renowned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, made history by performing without a wig during the team’s recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This powerful move was a deliberate choice to raise awareness for alopecia, the autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
The 23-year-old cheerleader performed without a wig for the first time since sharing her alopecia diagnosis on the show.
In an Instagram reel shared by Armani Latimer and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, an emotional Latimer stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to perform for Alopecia Awareness and the team’s ‘My Cause My Boots’ initiative on December 9.
In the video, Latimer teared up as she joined arms with her cheerleading squad in the locker room at the stadium. “You’ve got this, ‘Mani!” someone off-camera encouraged her as she beamed and the team celebrated.
She then starts walking out to the field.
“So proud of that you’re doing this, and you’re just representing a lot of little girls out there, and they’re going to be looking at you in awe at your strength, knowing that they are going to feel so beautiful after this because of what you’re doing today,” the voiceover continues.
The video then shows Latimer dancing alongside the cheerleaders on the field.
“Confidence takes center stage for Alopecia Awareness 💙#MyCauseMyBoots | #DCCheerleaders,” the caption read to the video.
According to Women’s Health, Armani Latimer was diagnosed with alopecia areata at age 12.
“I went through high school without telling anyone I even had alopecia. But once I got to college, stress caused more hair loss, a loss that took much longer to grow back,” Latimer told Women’s Health.
She mentioned that dealing with the condition was “hard to navigate” during her initial experiences as a cheerleader, and she used sew-ins to conceal her bald spots. After her hair fully fell out, she transitioned to wearing wigs soon after becoming a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that leads to hair loss, can profoundly affect one’s self-esteem and confidence. Latimer’s bold choice to remove her wig during a game, an event seen by millions, was not just a personal moment but a powerful statement of resilience. It served as a rallying cry for increased awareness and acceptance of this condition, inspiring others to embrace their true selves with courage and pride.
