Reece and Megan in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders S3.
Reece and Megan in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders S3.
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3 premiered on Netflix on June 16, 2026
In it, Reece Weaver announced that she would not be returning for the 2026-27 season
Several of the rookie candidates who were cut are back in 2026-27 training camp
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are back for a third season of the hit Netflix docuseries, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The show, which began streaming on June 16, picks up as both the returning members and rookie hopefuls are preparing to try out for the 2025-26 team. The competition is particularly fierce, as only six veterans opted to retire following the 2024-25 season (compared to the 12 open spots that were available the year prior). With talent coming from all corners of the world — thanks to the popularity of the Netflix series — DCC director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell are faced with some of their toughest cuts to date.
In addition to highlighting the intense audition and training camp process, the latest season of America’s Sweethearts also dives into how veteran DCC members are handling the mounting pressures of fame that have come as a result of the show’s wildly successful first two seasons.
Filming wrapped on the third season of America’s Sweethearts in early 2026, but since then, many of the cheerleaders featured on the show have gone on to make major life moves.
Here’s everything to know about where the stars of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3 are now.
Reece Weaver in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders S3; Reece Weaver in April 2026.Reece Weaver in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders S3; Reece Weaver in April 2026.
Reece Weaver in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders S3; Reece Weaver in April 2026.
Reece Weaver became a fan favorite when she made her debut as a rookie candidate for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in season 1 of America’s Sweethearts.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native first made the team for the 2023-24 season — right off the heels of her college graduation from the University of Alabama, where she was a member of the dancer team.
“By far, becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader has been my proudest accomplishment,” Weaver has said about making the team, per her official DCC bio. “I am so honored and humbled to wear these stars on my chest.”
Weaver’s journey on the team has been prominently featured on all three seasons of America’s Sweethearts. She most recently completed the 2025-26 season with the DCC — though she was sidelined for several weeks in November 2025 with an unexpected injury. Retired veteran Claire Wolford stepped in for Weaver as she recovered from a high ankle sprain.
“These past few days, I’ve realized that one of my prayers — wanting to slow down, was answered, but in a 'doesn’t always make sense' kind of way. The hardest and most fun part of our season was temporarily taken away this year due to a fluke accident, but God was just answering my prayer,” Weaver wrote about her absence in an Instagram post at the time.
Weaver ultimately returned to the sidelines and finished out the 2025-26 season with the team. However, that season marked her last with the DCC: In a shocking and emotional decision, Weaver opted to hang up her uniform and retire at the end of her third year.
“This is a hard day but I think I’m going to move on to a new chapter,” Weaver told Finglass and Trammell at the team’s uniform turn-in day. “I’m really excited about it, but it’s been hard to make that decision. But I’m emotional because of how grateful I am, truly.”
She and her husband of two years, Will Allman, have plans to eventually return to Alabama, they shared on America’s Sweethearts, but have yet to determine the timing. As for her career, Weaver is also uncertain about what the future holds.
“There are some really cool things that are still trying to get ironed out, but I know that I’m supposed to take that leap,” she shared.
Since retiring, Weaver has continued posting brand partnerships on her Instagram and making public appearances, including at the Grand Ole Opry in June 2026.
Kleine Powell in December 2025; Kleine Powell in June 2026.
Kleine Powell in December 2025; Kleine Powell in June 2026.
Kleine Powell first made the team as a rookie in 2021. Prior to joining the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the Richmond, Ky., native and lifelong dancer attended the University of Kentucky, where she was on the dance team.
“My first love was dance, and even as a child I knew I wanted to find a way to dance forever,” Powell told Culture Lounge in November 2025. “Professional cheerleading arrived when I was at a crossroad.”
Powell’s journey to becoming a rookie was shown on season 16 of the former CMT reality show Making the Team, and she has also been featured on all three seasons of America’s Sweethearts. The 2025-26 season marked Powell’s fifth year with the squad, during which the outspoken vet served as a second group leader — despite Finglass and Trammell initially expressing concern over Powell’s ability to step into a leadership role.
Following the completion of her fifth season, Powell initially contemplated returning for a sixth year as a DCC — but ultimately decided to hang up her boots and retire. In her post-DCC era, the self-described “deeply creative” Powell announced the creation of her own visual arts studio, By Kleine, in May 2026 and walked the runways of Miami Swim Week the same month.
Powell has been married to her husband, Luc Powell, since May 2023. The couple, who both hail from Kentucky, are high school sweethearts.
Megan McElaney in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Megan McElaney in May 2026.
Megan McElaney in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Megan McElaney in May 2026.
Group leader and DCC veteran Megan McElaney was back for her fifth year in season 3 of America’s Sweethearts.
McElaney, who is originally from Oceanside, Calif., attended San Diego State University, where she captained the dance team her junior and senior year. During her tenure there, she made history with her SDSU dance team when they secured the college’s first national championship title in hip hop. Following graduation, McElaney auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2021 and earned a spot as a rookie the same year.
As a DCC, McElaney rose to the rank of group leader in 2024 and again in 2025. She was also one of a handful of vets who successfully campaigned during the 2024-25 season for a substantial pay raise for the cheerleaders.
“We ended up getting a 400% increase, which is, like, life-changing,” McElaney shared in the season 2 finale of the Netflix series.
Following her fifth — and final — season on the team, McElaney received the prestigious honor of “veteran of the year” at the squad’s annual banquet in May 2026.
“She fights, and she fought for y’all a lot,” Trammell said about McElaney when announcing the honor, “but it was all with a grateful heart.”
She and her brother, Sean, have since started a podcast about their dance experience, Side Kicks Podcast.
Anna Kate Sundvold in December 2025; Anna Kate Sundvold in May 2026.
Anna Kate Sundvold in December 2025; Anna Kate Sundvold in May 2026.
Anna Kate Sundvold followed in her big sister Caroline’s footsteps when she auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2023. Her road to making the team was featured on season 1 of America’s Sweethearts, and she’s remained a fixture on the Netflix series ever since.
Prior to trying out for DCC, Sundvold — who is originally from Columbia, Mo. — attended Texas Christian University and captained the TCU Showgirls her junior and senior year. Since earning a spot on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Sundvold has stepped into leadership roles, serving as second group leader in 2025, and participated in the DCC’s USO Tour.
Following the conclusion of season 3 of America’s Sweethearts, the legacy cheerleader has been making career moves in her day job as a financial planner. Sundvold announced in April 2026 that she had joined SmithConway, a Dallas-based financial planning firm, as a financial advisor.
Despite her demanding dual careers, Sundvold has also managed to travel to Greece with several fellow DCC and spend quality time with her boyfriend of five years, Michael Snyder.
Dayton in 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Season 2; Dayton Bramhall in May 2026.
Dayton in 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Season 2; Dayton Bramhall in May 2026.
The daughter of DCC alum and associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall, legacy Dayton Bramhall made her fourth attempt at becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader in season 3 of America’s Sweethearts. Her tryout ended in heartbreak, however, when Bramhall was not invited to training camp following final auditions, leaving her and Shelly devastated.
Since her fourth and final cut, Bramhall has decided to move on from her DCC dreams. In an essay written for Glamour in July 2025, she shared that she was “closing that chapter and opening up a new one.”
“I’m deciding right now what I would like to do next,” Bramhall added. “I know I still want to dance … the biggest thing I would love to do is dance on Broadway and in the West End in London."
Jenna Waller in July 2025; Jenna Waller in May 2026.
Jenna Waller in July 2025; Jenna Waller in May 2026.
After being the last cut at training camp in 2024, Jenna Waller returned for another shot at making the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2025. Her comeback journey is chronicled on season 3 of America’s Sweethearts — and is ultimately victorious, as she became one of the six rookies on the 2025-26 roster.
Waller, who is originally from California and attended the University of Oklahoma, capped off her first season with the team by being named “rookie of the year” at the annual DCC banquet in May 2026. “The sweetest ending to the most rewarding & special year,” she shared on Instagram following the honor.
During her brief off-season, Waller spent time in her hometown of San Diego — but Dallas was never far from her mind. She shared in a June 2026 TikTok that, while home, she was prepping for DCC final auditions, which kicked off later in the month.
Faith Ward in her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform; Faith Ward in May 2026.
Faith Ward in her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform; Faith Ward in May 2026.
After being recruited via Instagram, Faith Ward traveled from Australia to Texas to audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2025.
The influencer (known as “Flexi Faith” on social media) and professional dancer is one of the rookie hopefuls featured in season 3 of America’s Sweethearts. She lands one of the six open spots on the 2025-26 team, becoming the first New Zealand-born DCC and fourth ever Aussie on the squad.
During her rookie season, Ward became known for her high ponytail and even higher kicks. Since closing out her first year on the team, Ward returned home to Australia and performed on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders tour.
Emily Awbrey in July 2025; Emily Awbrey in Nov. 2025.
Emily Awbrey/Instagram (2)
After graduating from the University of Arizona and dancing professionally on a cruise ship, Emily Awbrey auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2025.
In season 3 of America’s Sweethearts, Awbrey initially wowed judges with her technical dancing ability — but then struggled to pick up the DCC style of dance in training camp and was cut from the team.
Despite her initial rejection, Awbrey is taking a second stab at making the DCC squad in 2026. After final auditions in June 2026, she earned a spot back at training camp for another shot at becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, according to Instagram.
Savanna Dastrup in June 2025; Savanna Dastrup in December 2025.
Savanna Dastrup in June 2025; Savanna Dastrup in December 2025.
When viewers met Savanna Dastrup in season 3, she’d already been dreaming of becoming a DCC for years.
The Orem, Utah, native chose to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) to be closer to the Cowboys’ facility and be able to take DCC prep classes on the weekends. As soon as she graduated from TCU in May 2025, she set out to make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Finglass initially labeled Dastrup a “firecracker” at the start of training camp, but the former TCU showgirl ended up being eliminated.
After she didn’t make the team, Dastrup left Texas and moved to Paris to attend fashion school in the fall of 2025, she revealed on Instagram. But she hasn’t given up on her DCC dreams entirely: Dastrup re-auditioned for the team in 2026 and was one of 14 rookie candidates invited to training camp.
“Still on cloud 9!! I’m so so grateful and excited for this opportunity!” Dastrup commented on the team's Instagram following the training camp announcement.
Parker Kilpatrick in July 2025; Parker Kilpatrick in June 2026.
Parker Kilpatrick/Instagram (2)
After an unsuccessful attempt at making the DCC — and another year dancing with Dallas’ Rhythm & Blue — Parker Kilpatrick returned for another shot at making the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in season 3 of America’s Sweethearts.
Kilpatrick’s power as a dancer instantly impressed Trammell, though Finglass wasn't immediately sold. But the former University of Texas pom team dancer made it through training camp and was one of six rookies to land a spot on the 2025-26 DCC team.
Since completing her first season with DCC, Kilpatrick has spent quality time with her boyfriend Jaydan Tom (the couple celebrated one year of dating in March 2026) and has been readying herself for the 2026 auditions.
Journi Wooten in December 2024; Journi Wooten in January 2026.
Journi Wooten in December 2024; Journi Wooten in January 2026.
In season 3, Journi Wooten landed a bid to finals after competing in the first-ever live auditions held during the DCC tour. However, she fell short of making the 2025-26 team, becoming one of the cuts made at training camp.
After not making the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Wooten returned to the Dallas Mavericks, for whom she'd previously been dancing.
Brenley Herrera in 2026; Brenley Herrera in May 2026.
Brenley Herrera/Instagram (2)
A dancer from the age of 2, Brenley Herrera was one of the DCC hopefuls featured on season 3 of America’s Sweethearts. Her experience as a Texas Tech pom squad dancer helped her stand out at training camp, and the Fort Worth, Texas, native ended up securing a place on the 2025-26 roster.
After making the team, Herrera went on to graduate from Texas Tech in December 2025. She wrapped up her first season with the DCC in early 2026 and re-auditioned in hopes of becoming a veteran team member for the 2026-27 season.
Amaya Crearer in July 2025; Amaya Crearer in Jan. 2026.
Amaya Crearer/Instagram (2)
Former University of Georgia spirit squad dancer Amaya Crearer was another rookie candidate who made it to finals following a live audition at a DCC show in San Antonio, Texas. While she made it to training camp in 2025, Crearer was not selected for the 2025-26 team.
Since being cut, Crearer has apparently set her sights on another NFL dance team: The Miami Dolphins. Several of her recent posts on her TikTok indicate that she will be auditioning for the Dolphins dance team in 2026.
Karley Swindel in Nov. 2023; Karley Swindel in April 2026.
Karley Swindel/Instagram (2)
Karley Swindel, a Texas native who has been dancing since she was a toddler, first made the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2022. In season 3 of America’s Sweethearts, Swindel was a fourth year veteran of the team and a second group leader.
Viewers watched as Swindel battled with some injuries during her fourth year, including issues with her hip flexor that affected her high kicks. Swindel was pulled into a tense conversation with Finglass and Trammell, where they informed her that she “wouldn’t have made the team” that year if they hadn’t vouched for her.
At the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Swindel informed Finglass and Trammell that she would be returning for a chance at a fifth season with the team. In a shocking turn of events, however, she was cut following finals auditions in June 2026 and was not invited to training camp.
Swindel, who got married in late May, reposted a post on her Instagram Stories with the #JusticeForKarley hashtag — confirming the news of her devastating release from the team.