Jerry Harris (television personality)
Born Name: Jeremiah Harris
Date of Birth: July 14, 1999
Place of Birth: Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.
Education: Waubonsie Valley High School, Navarro College
Occupation: Television personality
Jeremiah Harris (born July 14, 1999) is an American television personality. He received national recognition after appearing in the 2020 Netflix docuseries Cheer. He became famous for his positive attitude and eccentric personality.

Early life and education
Harris was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and raised in Bolingbrook, Illinois. When he was 16 years old, his mother died from lung cancer. He attended Waubonsie Valley High School followed by Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, where he was member of the cheer team coached by Monica Aldama. During the finale of Cheer, he received a Regional Scholars Award from the University of Louisville. He attended the school for the fall semester but ultimately returned to Navarro College.

Career
In January 2020, he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, along with other members of the Cheer team. In February 2020, Ellen DeGeneres announced that Harris would be The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Oscars correspondent. He is known for his eccentric and over-the-top "mat talk," a cheerleading term, in which he yells and cheers on other people.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a guest appearance on the cheerleading themed song "Mas(k)ot" by Todrick Hall from his album Quarantine Queen.

In an interview with Variety in June 2020, Harris discussed becoming an Black gay icon and how he is a role model for young kids who might be struggling with their sexuality.

2020 arrest
In September 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced they had a warrant for Harris for allegedly soliciting sex from minors. The case involves twin brothers who were thirteen when Harris, nineteen at the time, allegedly sent suggestive messages asking for pictures and seeking sex. The boys' mother at first dismissed the contacts but after another cheerleading coach allegedly assaulted them, felt there might be a pervasive atmosphere of tolerance of sexual abuse either in the sport or the companies that govern them. United States All Star Federation, Varsity Spirit and Cheer Athletics were later named as parties to the legal proceedings.

On September 17, 2020, Harris was arrested by the FBI and charged in federal court in Chicago for production of child pornography. Harris allegedly admitted to soliciting and receiving explicit messages on Snapchat from other individuals he knew were minors; he also allegedly admitted to having oral and anal sex with a 15-year-old in mid-2019, according to federal court records. Harris is suspended from at least one company, and is facing the loss of sponsorships. A spokesperson for Harris denied the allegations, “We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager. We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed."

News article is edited by: soni - 4-11-2021, 06:32