Over the weekend, I binged all of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: America’s Sweethearts Season 2. I also saw a TikTok bemoaning the fact that there wasn’t more dancing shown in the series. To which I say, girl, that’s what TikTok is actually for. (Here’s the full version of Abby’s insane “Maneater” final solo.) But truthfully, I imagine plenty of folks didn’t dig the second season quite as much as the first. Things felt more somber this year. Less spirited; more introspective.
I thought this made the series more compelling than ever. I love a fourth wall break where reality show stars acknowledge that they’re on TV. Season one was a cultural sensation, elevating the already well-known squad into a new class of fame. Of course a season one standout like Reece is being recognized on the street and grappling with becoming an influencer.
Reality creeped in in other ways, too. One of this season’s main story arcs focused on the DCC’s arduous quest for a long-overdue raise, spurred on by a deluge of articles from the likes of the New York Times and Vogue in response to season one. “The world was kind of telling us, ‘Girls, fight for more.’ And we’re like, ‘OK!’,” says Kylie, a third-year DCC veteran.
The season didn’t all work for me, though. There were a few strange editing choices, including some mysterious end-of-season drama that greatly affected the squad but was never interrogated beyond “everybody deserves forgiveness.” The push-pull between catching up with our favorite first-season stars and showcasing new ones occasionally felt at odds. For example, as compelling as I find Victoria, Greg Whiteley’s camera crew did not need to follow her to New York.
Ultimately, the DCC got their well-deserved pay raise (a 400 percent increase!) and the 2025-2026 hopefuls are probably already being filmed for season three (training camp is currently underway). But I can’t stop thinking about my girls. These were a few lingering questions I dedicated far too much of my weekend investigating.
What happened with Chandi in the Bahamas?
I loved learning about sweet, soft-spoken Chandi Dayle as she rose to the challenge of becoming a Group Leader. I did not love the weird, rushed pacing when, after a squad retreat to the Bahamas, the audience is told that Chandi broke team protocol and was suspended from the team. Apparently, she had invited an unknown person to her hotel room, which meant disclosing the team’s whereabouts—a DCC violation.
Chandi, a victim of emotional and physical abuse, explains that she never crossed a line with this person but was simply looking for support. “I met someone, and we shared, like, similar things that have happened from our past,” Chandi says on camera. “I was like, ‘Dang. I feel like I have no one here to talk to, and so it’s nice to have someone to confide in.”
Ultimately, Chandi returns for the final game, although she’s no longer a Group Leader. Case closed? Except, why was everyone acting so strangely in Chandi’s absence? Was it clever editing to heighten the drama, or was there more to the story?
Shortly after the internet noticed Chandi’s absence, one cheerleader, KayDianna, offered to spill the proverbial tea on TikTok, which led to her no longer being a DCC. Which brings us to…
Why did KayDianna leave the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
When Chandi was suspended, KayDianna stepped into her role as a Group Leader, but it’s later revealed that KayDianna left the squad quite suddenly.
“It ultimately became KayDianna’s choice,” DCC director Kelli Finglass tells the camera. “We had one conversation of honest feedback, and I think, maybe she didn’t like that conversation.”
So vague. So media trained.
KayDianna shares that she didn’t feel supported when she took over Chandi’s responsibilities and that “she was just a body.” But then, she did what no one should ever do and went on TikTok live, where she said she planned to make a video about what exactly happened in the Bahamas. KayDianna then claims she received a call that she was under investigation for bullying and was suspended.
This botched Bahamas/KayDianna storyline may just be another example of the real world creeping into production. Perhaps the drama had to be included due to the real-time speculation from fans. But glossing over it so briefly leaves the audience with more questions than answers, and doesn’t extend much grace to Chandi or KayDianna.
Okay… who snitched about the DCC walkout?
I’m a little less interested in exactly who recorded the squad meeting where team leaders like Jada and Armani discussed a potential cheerleader walkout than I am about why. Obviously, giving team owners a heads up could curry favor, but it’s fascinating to learn that there was at least one dissenter among the group when it came to asking for a pay raise from a multi-billion-dollar company. One cheerleader explains that 35 of the 36 girls wanted to push for change. Who gaslit this one girl? What kind of internalized misogyny is at play?
Kudos to Jada, who, when pressed as to who leaked their plans, coyly shares that while she has her suspicions, she won’t name names. That’s being a girl’s girl.
What qualifies these male judges to judge?
Kelli, head choreographer Judy Trammell, Charlotte Jones, and DCC veterans like Jacie Scott and Melissa Rycroft make sense as judges for the highly rigorous DCC Finals. And I’m always happy to see Meredith Land. But for such a crucial step on the journey to DCC training camp, why are these young women’s life-altering fates in the hands of local TV meteorologist Scott Padgett? I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to Neal McCoy, but then the country singer commented that “the back part of her head was too big” and I wanted to scream. This man is bald, mind you.
It looks like Kacey Musgraves was one of the judges for this year’s Finals. She’s a DCC mega-fan and understands hairography, so I’m on board. But for the men… I’m going to need to see some credentials.