“You say cheerleader, and people are like, ‘Pom-poms, glitter, y’all are soft.’ Well, I want to win.” That’s the fighting spirit Gabi Butler, who became a household name after the docuseries Cheer, brought to Battle Camp, the cutthroat new competition uniting stars across the Netflix Reality Universe.
The series, which is now available to stream, arrives four years after Butler dedicated her mind, body, soul, and signature hair pouf to securing another national title during Cheer Season 2. In Battle Camp, she occupies the same rarefied space — straddling the line between ferocious competitor and total sweetheart — until she’s booted from the game in a shocking early elimination.
While her time at Battle Camp is cut short thanks to a spinning wheel that determines who stays in the competition, Butler still makes her mark. She performs exceptionally well in challenges, wins favor among her teammates and even strikes up a (mostly one-sided) flirtation with Tony, the macho star of The Mole Season 2 who is reduced to hysterical tears upon her exit. Below, Gabi shares what she’s been up to since we last saw her on Cheer, how she feels about her surprising Battle Camp elimination, and if she ever connected with Tony outside of camp.
What have you been up to since your time on Cheer? Are you still cheering?
I’m back at home in Florida. In the summers, I’m teaching, so I’m not committed to a team right now. I can still technically do everything that I was able to do before, but I’m getting more into the coaching realm of things. I still do consider myself an athlete, but now I’m 27, so I’m branching out into coaching. It is such a passion of mine. I like to help other people to become better at how to cheer.
Looking back on your time on Cheer and as a cheerleader at Navarro, how do you view that experience now?
My experience at Navarro was honestly life-changing. There are a lot of really special memories that I had on that team. Even without the show, it holds a special place in my heart. Every time I go to Corsicana, Texas, it’s like a second home for me. It just has so many good memories.
What made you interested in participating in Battle Camp?
I think what drew me in is just the fact that it was a competition show. I’m a very competitive person at heart. I was born to be a competitor. Because I am an athlete, I felt like it was right up my alley, and I was really looking forward to it. I was confident I was going to go a long way.
What was your reaction to finding out about the wheel and that chance played a role in this competition?
As soon as I saw it, I was like, “Dang.” It just put a damper on my plans. From the moment I came in contact with this thing, I didn’t like it. But I think that everything happens for a reason, so I had to look at it like that.
What specific experiences or skills helped you compete in Battle Camp?
When it came to the physical challenges, I was very confident in myself. I trusted myself. That’s why when the [Full Throttle] punishment came around, I told Avori, “Put me in.” I wanted her to do it. I would’ve taken the guys. I was confident that I was probably one of the strongest there. There were a lot of really, really athletic people, but I was pretty confident when it came down to trusting myself. I know what I can handle.
Your early elimination was very shocking given that your name was only on the wheel one time. What was going through your head, and how do you feel about it now?
My elimination was definitely gut-wrenching. It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. But I wouldn’t have wanted to go out any other way because I had no votes when I was there. I just came off of a punishment win. I had an amazing team. Even though I didn't have as much time with them as I wanted, I was really grateful to have been able to have at least a few days with them. I didn’t have any votes the whole time that I was there, so if there was a way to go out, I think it was a good way.
What was the most difficult part of competing in Battle Camp?
The hardest thing for me was having to vote for somebody every night. I hated that so much.
It wouldn’t be summer camp without some camp crushes. While at Battle Camp, Tony seemed very taken with you. Have you been in touch since filming?
Tony lives 10 minutes from me. Literally. 10 minutes from me. I haven’t seen this man since he was sobbing [when I was eliminated]. Tony followed me on Instagram the next day when I was about to fly home. I was like, “Tony, you aren’t supposed to have your phone. What’s going on?” And he was like, “Yeah, I kind of left.” Before my elimination, he said, “If you get kicked off, I'm leaving.” I said, “No, you’re not.”
Honestly, there was a moment when we were talking. I talked to him a few times after we had both gotten home … But, in regards to dating, I am actually single right now, and it’s staying that way. If I wanted Tony, I could have had him already. Listen, I’m being super picky with my next guy. Tony, love him as a person. Don't think I could date Tony though. But he does have a special place in my heart for sure.
What was the biggest thing you learned from your time at Battle Camp?
The biggest thing I learned was wheels are absolutely trash [laughs]. You just never know what's going to happen, so don't always think that you’ve got something in the bag.
