America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2 had some big boots to fill after an incredible first showing, and the second season's high kicks certainly didn't disappoint. With stunning visual storytelling and emotional vulnerability from the cast, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders captivated viewers during its first season. After years of watching Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team, which shows the same process toward making the iconic NFL cheerleading team as the current series, I was wary of America's Sweethearts' first season, wondering if it was going to have the same quirky, 2000s-style reality TV energy. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Season 1 was an earnest, honest, crushing look at making the most famous NFL cheerleading team in the world, acknowledging that no matter how badly some dancers want it, it's not always the right move. After spending a year thinking fondly of America's Sweethearts, seeing another season coming soon made me nervous. I was worried that the gorgeous style of series creator Greg Whiteley, who's worked on sports documentaries for Netflix since 2016, wouldn't translate into another season of the show, leaving me feeling unfulfilled. But America's Sweethearts season 2 goes above and beyond.
America's Sweethearts Season 2 Created A New Level Of Depth
The Emotions Were Raw & Real
Echoing the way that Cheer humanized and dug into the cheerleaders winning national titles at Navarro College, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders wants to make sure that viewers are seeing the DCC team as the complex, nuanced athletes that they are. While the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are meant to project a specifically coiffed, smiling, put-together woman, the series works hard to ensure that just beyond the mask, the members of the team are shown to be the humans they are, flaws included. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders don't just perform, they have downtime and drama that needs to be explored.
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America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2 does a lot of quick legwork to ensure we have been thoroughly introduced to the rookie candidates, but dives in head first to the known cast. The show wastes no time delving into the most difficult parts of the cheerleaders' past and present lives. From Jada Mclean's tough but sweet relationship with her father, who finally sees his daughter on the sidelines during her final season opener, to Dayton Bramhall's intensely personal, at times crushing relationship to DCC auditions, America's Sweethearts delivers an emotional depth that resonated, often bringing me to tears.
America's Sweethearts Season 2 Pulled Back The DCC Curtain
The Cheerleaders' Pay Inequality Was Addressed
America’s Sweethearts Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders laying in a circle
Custom Image by César Garcia
While the emotional weight of America's Sweethearts season 2 was crushing in the best possible way, the real story of the season boiled down to the same question that rang through the series last season — how much money do these cheerleaders make? Oftentimes, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders work a full-time job, sometimes more than one, to ensure they can meet their needs while dedicating a huge amount of time to the organization as well. With practices running most nights during the season, the cheerleaders have to balance a lot in their lives and have typically been paid a lower-than-expected wage.
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders wants to make sure that viewers are seeing the DCC team as the complex, nuanced athletes that they are.
Season 1 tackled the topic of cheerleader pay in some ways, but didn't dig deep into the issue. Thankfully, season 2 doesn't mind picking things up where its predecessor left off, with several of the team members feeling that addressing their pay disparity was a hugely important part of the season. During the season, a group of veterans boldly stood up for the team, meeting with Dallas Cowboys higher-ups and putting themselves in the line of fire. America's Sweethearts soars in these moments, ensuring viewers understand the past, present, and future of DCC as an organization.
America's Sweethearts Season 2 Showed Every Side Of The Team's Humanity
From Top To Bottom, Everyone Was Their Authentic Selves
While there's glitz and glamor abound throughout America's Sweethearts season 2, the best moments of the season come from the humanity seen at every turn. From the way the series documents Director Kelli Finglass washing her dog at home prior to a big day with DCC to the moments shown of veteran DCC member Reece Weaver arranging flowers for her TikTok, the series makes it clear that though these women are ethereal figures, they're also just like us. I'm happy to see reality TV that allows viewers to understand they're watching the human experience, regardless of what that experience is.
The human touch in every aspect of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season tugs at the heartstrings. While the cheerleaders audition and prepare for months ahead of the solo showcase and training camp, it's been shown in both seasons that after just ten home games, their season ends swiftly and painfully. For some, the last game of the season is the last game they'll ever be part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and watching that transition can be painful, but it's the most relatable end note. Bittersweet and touching, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2 ensures viewers feel everything thoroughly.
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadersseason 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Netflix/Instagram