NEW YORK • Celebrity cheerleader Jerry Harris, who was featured in the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Cheer (2020), was sued by 14-year-old twin brothers in the United States, who say he solicited sex, sent them sexually explicit messages via text and social media and asked them to send nude photos of themselves.
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of Tarrant County in Texas, accuses Harris, who is now 21, of asking one of the boys to perform a sexual act at a cheerleading competition and threatening "imminent physical bodily injury".
The boys are not named in the suit because they are minors.
The suit accuses Harris of "sexual harassment, exploitation abuse and molestation" of the boys.
It states they are now "limited in their ability to meaningfully interact with others due to the trauma of childhood sexual abuse".
A spokesman for Harris has categorically disputed the claims made against him.
Harris, who was a member of the cheerleading team at Navarro College in Texas, gained acclaim on the Netflix series for his upbeat attitude and spirited pep talks.
He made a guest appearance with other cast members on the Dallas stop of talk-show host Oprah Winfrey's wellness tour in February and held an Instagram chat with presidential candidate Joe Biden in June.
The suit also states that three organisations - the US All Star Federation, Cheer Athletics and Varsity Spirit - that employed Harris or that organised or oversaw competitions he participated in as an athlete or coach when the behaviour is alleged to have occurred, did not do enough or act quickly enough to protect the boys.
USA Today also reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating allegations that Harris asked for sex and nude photos from the boys. Harris has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
The lawsuit seeks more than US$1 million (S$1.36 million) in damages from the US All Star Federation, Cheer Athletics and Varsity Spirit, citing "emotional distress" and "loss of enjoyment of life".
The lawsuit states that the boys will need medical and psychological treatment, therapy and counselling.
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