Season two of Netflix's doc series 'America's Sweethearts' kicks up the drama and tears.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix.
Get out your pom-poms! The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have opened their locker room doors again for the return of Netflix’s hit docuseries _America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,_ which premiered on June 18 with a seven-episode second season.
The new 60-minute episodes bring plenty of jump splits, high kicks, and, of course, drama. The second season is also unique in that there are more open spots for newcomers than in years past, as many veteran cheerleaders have retired.
The new episodes pick up exactly one year after the show’s premiere, which followed the 2023-24 squad and documented the personal stories behind the famous studded blue and white uniforms to reveal the true grit it takes to make the squad, the hard work it takes to keep your spot, and the drama among the cheerleaders and coaches behind the scenes.
Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley, known for the Netflix doc series _Cheer_ and _Last Chance U,_ delivers yet another phenomenal season. Season one was excellent, and season two kicks it up a notch. Whiteley shows what it takes to make the cut: a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.
Hundreds of hopefuls submit audition tapes each year with dreams of becoming the next Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but only 36 spots are available. Among the roughly 500 online hopefuls, only a select group has the opportunity to audition in person.
As viewers watch, it becomes abundantly clear that these young women are extremely talented. This group is then culled down to 38 women before the final two are cut, making that year’s team official. The viewer gets to tag along through training camp and the ongoing NFL season.
Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell in season two of 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys ... More Cheerleaders' on Netflix.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix.
The second season opens with a tearful sigh as Kelli Finglass, longtime program director and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, wipes away tears while discussing the power she holds to make someone’s dreams come true, yet acknowledging that it often comes at the cost of another’s aspirations. She and head choreographer Judy Trammell, also a former squad member, reflect on the stresses of narrowing down the hopefuls and consider the impact these decisions have on the young women involved.
Season one was an instant hit when it debuted, launching onto the streamer’s Top 10 worldwide chart with 2.3 million views within its first four days on the platform. The first season took an eye-opening and emotional look at the joys and pains that come with the audition process.
At the time, [Whiteley talked to me](https://www.forbes.com/sites/danafeldman/2024/06/22/netflixs-americas-sweethearts-details-lessons-learned-by-dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders/) about the painful journey these women embark on. One reason this show is so popular is that most of the viewers can relate to wanting something, working hard to get it, and the disappointment of things not going as hoped.
A challenging life truth is that sometimes, despite how hard you’ve worked for something, you don’t get it. Both seasons explore the unpleasant truth that life isn’t always fair, and we don’t always get what we want even if we work hard and have the talent. Sometimes, there just aren’t enough spots for everyone who deserves one. As Finglass and Trammell lament after one difficult cut, “We just let a good one go.”
Whiteley admitted that the behind-the-scenes of it all was as emotional for those filming the series as it was for the young women when they were told they didn’t make it. He explained that he and his team were in the room during those brutal, life-changing cuts and that, at times, everyone was in tears alongside the young women as some saw their dreams come true and others saw theirs cut short.
As he said at the time, “I want my children to believe that if you want something and you’re willing to work for it, you can get it. The hard truth is not always. I think making peace with that is something we all have to learn.”
It was important to Whiteley that they show this side of the process, and what life is like on and off the field. When he was initially approached by the team for this doc series, Whiteley wasn’t sure it would be a fit. “The Cowboys are a massive, global brand, and I was nervous they wouldn’t be able to give us what’s required to do the type of documentary filming we seek to do. Specifically, editorial control and the kind of access we would need.”
Charlotte Jones and Kelli Finglass in 'America's Sweethearts' on Netflix.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix.
Whiteley was convinced he could make this series after he had a meeting with Owner and Chief Brand Officer, Charlotte Jones (Jerry Jones’ daughter). “She was open to giving us what we would need, and I was convinced that this was a far more interesting world than I’d given it credit for initially. If you spend five minutes with Charlotte, you suddenly get the impression that you’re in the presence of somebody incredibly smart, polished, and accomplished. It’s no accident that they’ve built what they’ve built with that kind of acumen, and I just thought that if I find her so interesting and if she thinks the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are interesting, then I’m all ears.”
Season two introduces the viewers and fans to a new batch of hopefuls, and some of the faces are familiar. Several of these women didn’t make it last year, but they haven’t given up. This is another important life lesson about persistence.
Kelly V, Reece and Charly in season two of 'America's Sweethearts' on Netflix.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix.
One tenacious standout is Charly Barby, who was the last person cut last season. She didn’t quit, however, and despite a devastating and life-threatening medical emergency, worked all year to improve, and she made it this time and is a member of the 2024-25 roster.
For these women, becoming an NFL cheerleader is not about money; it’s about becoming a member of one of the most elite cheerleading squads and the doors that can open. Though DCC members earn a higher salary than other NFL cheerleaders, they still make significantly less than the average NFL player, or even others who work for the team.
The reported salary is $500 per game in addition to $15-20 per hour for practice. Senior cheerleaders can make up to $75,000 per year. They can also make money through personal appearances and events.
When you watch the auditions and learn the individual stories of these women, however, it’s clear that the dream is centered around being part of an iconic franchise. What’s also evident is that these women are true athletes. The audition process is intense, and this is after years of hard training.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hopefuls work hard to get the 36 coveted spots on the squad.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix.
The claws are _not_ out. This is a series about teamwork and friendship, and though these women are competing against one another for these coveted spots, there’s a real sisterhood amongst them. It’s inspiring to see them rooting for one another even though another’s success means one less open spot on the squad.
Every episode of this show is packed with positive and important messages, including the values of hard work and determination. Additionally, it explores the balance between knowing when to move on from a dream and when it’s time to persevere even harder to achieve it.