A Cheer Squad Like No Other
When Poms hit theaters in 2019, audiences expected a lighthearted comedy about senior women starting a cheerleading squad. But what they didn’t expect was the emotional truth behind it. The film, starring Diane Keaton, Jackie Weaver, Pam Grier, and Rhea Perlman, tells the story of Martha, a retired woman who moves into a retirement community and decides to start a cheerleading team with her new friends.
Behind all the laughs and glittery pom-poms, though, lies a heartfelt inspiration rooted in real life. The question many asked was Is Poms based on a true story?
The answer is yes… partly. The film draws its spark from real senior cheerleading squads that exist across the United States proof that joy, friendship, and purpose don’t fade with age.
The Real Story Behind Poms
According to Bustle, Poms isn’t a biography of one person or team. Instead, it’s inspired by real groups of women who broke stereotypes by performing cheer routines in their golden years.
The movie’s director, Zara Hayes, was inspired after watching a documentary about a real group of senior cheerleaders called The Sun City Poms based in Sun City, Arizona. These women, aged 55 and older, have been performing since the 1970s, proving that spirit has no expiration date.
“They train hard, perform regularly, and show the world that energy, teamwork, and confidence can shine at any age,” Hayes explained in interviews.
So while Poms doesn’t retell the life of a specific person, it captures the essence of these women their courage to defy expectations and celebrate life, one high kick at a time.
What Inspired the Film Poms
Zara Hayes, a British filmmaker known for her documentaries, wanted to make her first feature film both funny and empowering. She told Inside Edition that she came across the Sun City Poms while researching aging and community life in America. Their story fascinated her not just because they were senior cheerleaders, but because of why they did it.
Many of the real-life members had joined the group to overcome loneliness, health struggles, or loss. Others simply wanted to stay active and build friendships. This spirit of resilience is what Poms tries to bottle on screen.
In the movie, Martha (played by Diane Keaton) has terminal cancer a detail not drawn from a specific person, but meant to symbolize the urgency of living life fully. It’s about reclaiming joy in the face of fear.
The Real Women Who Inspired Poms
The real Sun City Poms are no Hollywood script.
- They perform at community events, parades, and even national sports games.
- Their routines include high-energy dances, synchronized moves, and, yes, the famous pom-poms.
- Members must be at least 55 years old, and the group practices regularly to maintain fitness and choreography.
According to Inside Edition, the team started as a marching group in 1979 and evolved into a full-fledged cheer squad. Their motto?
“You don’t stop dancing because you grow old you grow old because you stop dancing.”
That philosophy became the heartbeat of Poms.
Fiction Meets Reality
While the Poms movie borrows heavily from the spirit of the real Sun City Poms, the characters and storylines are fictionalized. There was no “Martha” or “Sheryl,” no single team that faced those exact challenges.
However, the film does something important: it reminds us that stories of courage and community are all around us. Each fictional character mirrors someone real the woman who fought illness with laughter, the widow who rediscovered friendship, or the retiree who finally felt seen and celebrated.
Why the Story Resonates So Deeply
What makes Poms feel so genuine is its emotional truth. It’s about aging with dignity, embracing friendship, and finding joy in unexpected places.
- Ageism: The film challenges how society views older women, especially in entertainment and sports.
- Community: It shows how companionship can transform isolation into belonging.
- Legacy: It reminds us that purpose isn’t limited to youth it evolves.
The message is simple but powerful: you’re never too old to chase a dream.
Was Poms the Saddest True Story Movie?
Although Poms has tearful moments especially toward the end it’s not a tragedy. It’s more of a celebration wrapped in laughter and sentiment. Unlike heartbreaking biographical dramas, Poms carries hope, humor, and light.
Still, for many viewers, the emotional farewell scene hits hard because it represents real human truth: saying goodbye doesn’t have to mean giving up joy.
Final Take: A True Story in Spirit
So, is Poms based on a true story? Not entirely but it’s inspired by true events and real women who turned aging into an act of empowerment.
The Sun City Poms continue to perform today, waving their silver pom-poms and inspiring people around the world to live with spirit, friendship, and courage.
Like Diane Keaton’s character says in the film:
“It’s never too late to follow your heart even if it takes a few pom-poms to do it.”
Jessica Savitch, with a deep passion for journalism, brings her expertise to istruestory.com as a dedicated author. MA in Arts & Journalism.