Image: "Not all of us are from Texas, so we have to uproot our lives and move to Texas to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," says squad member Jada McLean.
"Not all of us are from Texas, so we have to uproot our lives and move to Texas to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," says squad member Jada McLean.
Before the Dallas Cowboys take to the field, 36 cheerleaders electrify the crowd with AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck.’
This pregame ritual has become an integral part of the experience at the AT&T Stadium and has gained global popularity following the release of the first season of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders last year.
The Netflix docuseries is back for season 2. It follows the highs and lows of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), including standouts Jada McLean and Reece Weaver, from auditions and training camp to the NFL season.
The show has become hugely popular because it displays vulnerability from high-performing dancers in a way that everyday people can relate to.
“The challenges are the strongest stories that people are relating to. I have spent my career trying to present flawless performances, and now we have this aha moment that if we are just really honest, authentic and vulnerable then there are people who watch the show who identify with Jada’s story or Reece’s story and find inspiration and hope," said Kelli Finglass, director of the DCC.
When the squad takes to the field on a gameday, fans witness a polished performance from dancers at the top of their game. However, what they don’t see is all of the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that it takes to get to this level.
“It takes a lot of sacrifice. Not all of us are from Texas, so we have to uproot our lives and move to Texas to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," says McLean. "We have to miss out on holidays, birthdays and weddings. I don’t think people realized this at the start, it takes a lot of sacrifice to be on this team, but the reward is so much greater and worth it that I think we’d all do it again if we could.”
Finglass herself was part of the DCC from 1984 to 1989. She reflects on how the culture and public perception of cheerleaders have changed in those 40 years, especially following the Netflix docuseries.
“There was less individual access in terms of cameras and publicity," she says. "In the '80s, it was more of an anonymous group of 36 women called the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with no names. Now, there’s names, families, backstories, challenges, victories and adversities. So, they are living a much more visible personal life than we did in the '80s.”
America's Sweethearts has certainly captivated audiences — the first season was watched for 687 million minutes in its first week last year, and the group has amassed over 1.4 million followers on Instagram alone.
The platform that they have been given through this visibility changes the role of a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Not only do they have to be talented and dedicated, but it’s equally as important how they handle themselves off the field and use their platform.
Weaver has seen the impact of the DCC's positive influence first-hand on her social media feed, citing an example of a young girl who felt empowered to try out for her cheerleader team after watching America's Sweethearts.
“We are so honored to have been a role model to that young girl, and she can say, ‘I did try out and I did make it and it was because I looked up to your relatable and authentic selves,’" Weaver says. "I feel we have that platform to share those victories with them as well."
The DCC recently made national headlines when they received a 400% pay increase, which will take effect in the upcoming 2025 NFL season.
Though the specifics of the new pay rate are unclear, Finglass says this kind of pay increase is a trailblazing moment that will transform the DCC and its trainers' operations.
“The pay increase is going to help a lot of the day-to-day sustainability and pressures of that," Finglass says. "The job is part-time and all the ladies have other careers or are in college, and that’s how our rehearsals have always been designed — they are in the evenings, so people who are in college or have a career, we haven’t interrupted that."
Finglass also hopes that the increase will improve the overall experience for the squad, too.
“The program enhancements will hopefully take some of the financial pressures off of these ladies so that they are able to enjoy the experience as well," she says.
McLean feels empowered by the series' popularity, which has provided her with a newfound platform. She says the team is conscious of using it "in the best way possible."
"We used our visibility for something good," she says. "And I hope ... this inspires and encourages other women within cheerleading and sports to do the same for themselves and to feel empowered, and for women all over the world to use their voice and speak up for what they believe in."