America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has highlighted specific cheerleaders throughout the seasons that, because of close connections to the team, have sometimes seemingly experienced favoritism in the judgement process, and I hate that this DCC candidate's journey proves there's still favoritism in the system. Throughout America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2, there were several DCC candidates who had either been through the audition process in the past, or were connected to the Dallas Cowboys organization in some way. This is typical for the auditions, especially with how many people audition each year, then return if they come up short.
While some auditioners have connections with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization because they've auditioned in the past and are looking to come back stronger, securing a spot, others have a deeper connection with the organization. Like legacy cheerleaders Victoria Kalina and Madeline Salter, who were covered during America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 1, there have always been daughters of mothers who were on the team in the past auditioning for their own spot. While some legacies don't know Coach Kelli Finglass or Choreographer Judy Trammell well, others have personal relationships with the power duo, which can make things tricky.
DCC Legacy Dayton Bramhall Auditioned During America's Sweethearts Season 2
Her Mother Is DCC's Associate Choreographer
Dayton Bramhall, who's auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders several times throughout the years and was last seen being cut on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team on CMT, is a legacy DCC candidate who has yet to make her mark on the team. While Dayton is a beautiful dancer who has the skills to perform as a DCC, her style is a bit different than the typical DCC candidate, which has made her a tough sell over the years. While I think Dayton's dancing is beautiful, Kelli has commented that it's not at the same powerful level as others.
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While Dayton is someone I'd expect Kelli and Judy to cut early on in the audition process, her legacy status likely makes it more difficult for her to get cut early during the audition and training camp process. Dayton's mother, Shelly Bramhall, is a major part of the DCC organization, working in-depth with Judy and Kelli as an Associate Choreographer for the squad. Shelly also works as the event coordinator for the DCC, teaches DCC dance classes for the public, and was a member of the squad herself in the early 1990s. With so much pressure, Dayton's had it tough.
Despite Not Making The Cut, Dayton Saw Favoritism Throughout The Audition Process
She Was Kept Through Rounds She Shouldn't Have Been In
Although I was happy to see Dayton excited to make it through the audition process, it became more difficult for me to watch her struggle than it would've been to see her cut. While I understood that Kelli and Judy wanted to give her enough of a chance to show her strengths, it became difficult for Dayton to place why she was struggling throughout the process, and it was clear to me early on that she wasn't going to make it. With Kelli and Judy having been DCC professionals for years, I can't imagine they didn't see the same things.
While Dayton has tried out for DCC before, her ability to move through the audition process has always had a slightly confusing side to it. Understanding that Dayton is a legacy, and hearing Kelli & Judy talk about not wanting to disappoint her or her mother with the results, it's clear that there's an underlying air of favoritism in the way they move her through the audition process. While Dayton doesn't make it onto the squad on America's Sweethearts, she makes it too far in the audition process for it not to reek of favoritism, making it tough to watch.
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadersseason 2 is streaming on Netflix.
Source: Dayton Bramhall/Instagram