The "Texas cheerleader scandal" typically refers to several notable incidents involving cheerleaders in Texas, with some of the most infamous being:
1. The Fab Five Scandal (2006, McKinney, Texas)
- A group of five teenage cheerleaders at McKinney North High School, known as the "Fab Five," became notorious for their unruly behavior including skipping school, breaking dress codes, cheating, and intimidating others.
- The ringleader was the principal's daughter, which contributed to the girls escaping serious consequences.
- The scandal led to resignations of school officials and legal actions.
- As of recent reports, the Fab Five have moved on to private lives, with some involved in coaching or other careers in Texas, but largely out of the public eye
2. The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot (1991, Channelview, Texas)
- Wanda Holloway, known as the "Pom-Pom Mom," attempted to hire a hitman to kill the mother of her daughter's cheerleading rival, allegedly to secure her daughter Shanna Harper a spot on the cheerleading squad.
- The plot was foiled, and Wanda was arrested.
- Shanna Harper (now Shanna Widner) was not involved in the plot and has since become an educator and mental health advocate in Texas, focusing on her career and family life. She has spoken publicly about the trauma and recovery from the scandal in a recent documentary titled The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot that aired in December 2024
3. Recent Incident (2024-2025)
- Aubrey Vanlandingham, a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader, was accused of poisoning a rival student's show goat with pesticide, resulting in felony animal cruelty charges.
- She has been barred from caring for animals except under supervision and faces legal consequences including possible prison time or fines.
- The case is still pending with court hearings scheduled
Summary: Where Are They Now?
Incident| Individuals Involved| Current Status/Whereabouts
---|---|---
Fab Five Scandal (2006)| The five cheerleaders| Living private lives in Texas;
some coaching cheerleading
Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot (1991)| Shanna Harper (Widner) and Wanda
Holloway| Shanna is an educator and mental health advocate in Texas; Wanda was
arrested and the case is well-known
2024 Goat Poisoning Case| Aubrey Vanlandingham| Facing felony charges; barred
from animal care; case ongoing
These cases highlight different aspects of Texas cheerleader scandals over the years, from high school misconduct to criminal plots and animal cruelty, with those involved mostly moving on to private lives or facing legal consequences as appropriate.
