Latest news with #CheerRe-Man
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Japanese 'salarymen' inspire with cheerleading acrobatics
TOKYO, - It's a cold, wet morning and frigid air is seeping through the open doors of a college gymnasium in Tokyo. But that doesn't seem to worry Soichiro Kakimoto and 30 other young businessmen as they gear up for their weekend routine: cheerleading. "Smile when times are tough!" shouts a tall man with an eager smile. The others all dressed in dark suits and ties pump their fists and jam to the upbeat music that fills the space. Their chants echo through the gymnasium. "Yes you can! You can definitely do it! Go, Japan! Go Japan!" The young men are all about spreading cheer through their eye-popping acrobatic performances, volunteering their weekends at shopping malls and other venues to entertain crowds. Calling themselves "Cheer Re-Man's" a mash-up of "cheerleading" and "salaryman" the group, formed in 2023, is made up of alumni from the elite Waseda University's male cheerleading squad. Their day-jobs range from real estate sales to marketing, and they balance their professional lives with their passion for cheerleading. For practice, the squad often borrows half the gym from a female college cheerleading team in exchange for biscuits. From Monday to Friday, Kakimoto is the quintessential Japanese salaryman, commuting in crowded trains, working late and going out drinking with colleagues, wearing the stretchy navy Uniqlo suit that doubles as his cheerleading uniform. "On weekdays, I use my brain and on weekends, I use my body. Even if one isn't well, the other might be, and that's contributing to my overall mental health," said the 23-year-old, who works at a software development company. "If we, Japanese salarymen, can do what we're passionate about, then everyone else can keep chasing their dreams too." The unusual sight of Japanese corporate warriors being launched 7 metres into the air in synchronised routines won them an online commercial spot to advertise the stretchy Uniqlo suits they wear for their performances. The group also competed in "Britain's Got Talent", where they came third in their semi-final. On a recent weekend, the suited men performed in front of a huge crowd at a shopping mall with gravity-defying stunts, human towers and infectious energy. Yasuko Yamaki, a 61-year-old housewife who learned about the group three months ago through social media, was there to see the spectacle. "In Japan, we're all going through a lot. Watching these salarymen putting in so much without giving up makes me cry," she said. "It's so inspirational."
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Who got through on Britain's Got Talent last night? All the 2025 finalists so far
Another two acts went through on Britain's Got Talent last night - here's who has made it to the final so far, with the 2025 series likely to crown its champion on Saturday May 31 Britain's Got Talent was back for its second live semi-final last night- but only two acts could go through. Eight acts performed in front of judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli hoping to get in the top slots. They were voice impressionist Will Burns, magician Alexandra Burgio, all-round performer Jannick Holste, singers Stacey Leadbeatter and John Pierce, guitarist Olly Pearson and dance groups Lil M's and Cheer Re-Man's. Three of the performers were Golden Buzzer acts. Amanda Holden previously pressed her Golden Buzzer for guitarist Olly Pearson, Will Burns was Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer act. While guest judge KSI chose Stacey Leadbeatter to give his Golden Buzzer to. Who got through on Britain's Got Talent last night? It seemed the audience at home agreed with some of the judges' Golden Buzzer choices, as Olly and Stacey were picked to go through to the next round. Winning the public vote, a shocked Stacey - who performed Demi Lovato's hit Anyone - said: "I can't even explain it, thank you so much! Oh my God, I don't have the words! Thank you so much for believing in me, it means everything to me." Earlier in the show child rocker Olly, who got a standing ovation from the crowd after his medley of rock hits, was thrilled when judge Simon pushed his Golden Buzzer in order to send him straight through to the final. Just missing out on going through to the live finals was impressionist Will Burns. Taking the loss like a champ, he said: "The best experience of my entire life. I'm only 25 and I've already done it so thank you. Well done Stacey!" This means that all the rest of the last night's acts were eliminated from the competition. Dance group Cheer Re Mans came in third place. Magician Alexandra Burgio came fourth after a lengthy new act which impressed judges, but annoyed fans at home. They were followed by Little M's - while the crowd booed at the public's choice at not placing them higher - Jannick Holste and John Pierce. Who are the Britain's Got Talent finalists so far? There have only been two semi-final show so far, with three more shows to come and another six acts that have the chance to go through. Stacey and Olly will join the other Britain's Got Talent finalists to see who will be crowned the overall winner. In case you missed it, the other BGT finalists that have been announced so far are: Vinnie McKee (singer) The Blackouts (dance group) Stacey Leadbeatter (singer) Olly Pearson (guitarist) When is the Britain's Got Talent final? The 2025 Britain's Got Talent final will air much later than usual - with the series likely to crown its champion on Saturday, May 31. In a shake-up to the scheduling, the series started in February rather than its usual April slot. And instead of a week of semi-finals, they are being spread out and shown on Saturday nights instead. The upcoming final will see the last remaining BGT contestants hope to impress the judges and the public one last time for a chance to win £250,000 and a spot performing at the Royal Variety Performance.
