There is something inspiring about stepping into a completely unfamiliar world and discovering that you belong there. For Abbey Duckworth, the journey from elite competitive cheerleading to musical theatre has been about much more than learning new performance skills. It has been a story of confidence, resilience, community, and embracing the courage to begin again.
In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G sits down with Abbey to explore the experiences that have shaped both the athlete and the performer she is today. What begins as a conversation about competitive cheerleading quickly becomes an honest discussion about overcoming self-doubt, finding supportive communities, and discovering that growth often begins the moment you leave your comfort zone.
From a young age, Abbey was drawn to performance. Growing up in a family that loved musical theatre, she dreamed of singing, dancing, and acting, but like many teenagers, she found herself influenced by the opinions of those around her. The stigma she experienced at school led her away from drama classes, leaving her to wonder years later what might have been if she had pursued that passion earlier.
Instead, she discovered cheerleading. What began with a school sports demonstration soon became a defining part of her life. Over more than seven years, Abbey developed not only the physical strength required to compete at an elite level but also the confidence that had once been difficult to find. Performing in front of crowds transformed the shy, anxious student into someone capable of stepping onto the competition floor with complete self-belief.
For Abbey, cheerleading offered far more than athletic achievement. It provided a welcoming community that encouraged her to push beyond her own expectations. Whether training through physically demanding routines, competing internationally, or simply building lifelong friendships, the sport became a place where she felt supported, challenged, and inspired to become the best version of herself.
Throughout the conversation, Abbey also shines a light on the realities of competitive cheerleading. While many people associate the sport with sidelines and pom-poms, she explains that elite cheer requires extraordinary technical precision, teamwork, and discipline. Behind every routine are countless hours of conditioning, repetition, corrections, and mental preparation. Success depends just as much on trust and resilience as it does on physical ability.
Representing Australia overseas in competitions across New Zealand and the United Kingdom further reinforced those lessons. Travelling internationally brought exciting opportunities, but it also revealed the less glamorous side of elite competition. Long-haul flights, jet lag, intense training schedules, and the pressure of performing at the highest level tested both body and mind. Yet those experiences only strengthened her determination and appreciation for the sport that had shaped her.
Today, Abbey finds herself combining two worlds she never imagined would intersect. Making her musical theatre debut in Bring It On has allowed her to showcase her years of cheerleading experience while stepping into an entirely new creative environment. Although she arrived confident in her athletic abilities, she openly admits that learning choreography, acting, and theatrical performance alongside experienced performers initially felt intimidating.
Rather than allowing those insecurities to hold her back, Abbey embraced the opportunity to become a beginner again. She speaks warmly about the generosity of the theatre community, describing an environment where performers willingly support one another regardless of experience. That welcoming atmosphere reminded her of the same sense of belonging she first experienced in cheerleading, reinforcing the idea that strong communities help people discover strengths they never knew they possessed.
One of the most compelling moments of the conversation comes as Abbey reflects on starting over. In a world that often places pressure on people to have everything figured out, she offers a refreshing perspective: it is never too late to learn something new. Whether someone is beginning singing lessons, exploring acting, or pursuing a completely different passion later in life, growth remains possible at every stage.
Andrew and Abbey also discuss the unique appeal of Bring It On. While audiences may initially come expecting spectacular cheerleading routines, Abbey believes they will leave appreciating something much greater. The humour, storytelling, music, and extraordinary talent of performers who sing, dance, and act simultaneously create an immersive experience that transports audiences beyond the world of competitive sport.
Throughout the episode, one message consistently rises above the rest: confidence is not something people are born with. It is something built through experience, perseverance, and a willingness to keep showing up despite uncertainty. Abbey’s own journey demonstrates that every new challenge, every uncomfortable moment, and every opportunity to start again becomes another step toward personal growth.
Ultimately, this episode is about embracing change, trusting the process of learning, and recognising that some of life’s greatest opportunities begin outside your comfort zone. For Abbey Duckworth, stepping from the cheer floor onto the theatre stage has not only opened new creative doors but also reinforced a lesson that applies far beyond performance: you never have to stop becoming the person you want to be
