I might get a wee bit of hate for this, but whatever:
To some extent, I can understand it. How many of us talk about loving cheer and wanting to make it our job? Acting's my first love, and I might never make more than $500 with it (ever, in my life). But if someone offered me big bucks to act, even if it's in some cheesy studio flick, I can't say I wouldn't consider it. Someone is offering to make you feel special and appreciated, basically pay your way to cheer (and considering how expensive cheer is, who wouldn't want to go THAT cost-free?!), and do all sorts of things that kids only dream of (be on tv, have their own CLOTHING LINE? And considering kids now more than ever rank being famous over being liked as their greatest desire, I'm not surprised). Sounds like fun, doesn't it? It's a bit ridiculous, but I can't imagine many people wouldn't at least take HALF of that deal if offered. As far as they know, they're not selling their soul. As long as the money isn't going to fund some crazy drug habit..
Plus, if it was supposed to be college money, that's another HUGE bonus. College is WICKED expensive, as we all know. Less cheer money= more college money PLUS if some proceeds were college funds, that's even more.