Kleine Powell cheered for the Dallas Cowboys for five seasons, rising from a rookie to a group leader and a breakout star on Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts. Her time on the squad spanned all three seasons of the docuseries, where she stood out for her outspoken personality. The Kentucky native was part of a Cowboys operation built by Jerry Jones into a global brand
Alongside veterans Jada McLean, Megan McElaney, and Armani Latimer, she also led the 2025 push for fair compensation. Their efforts secured a 400% pay increase for DCC members. When she finally walked out of the building, she left it better than she found it.
Kleine Powell hangs up Cowboys uniform and why it stung a little
Powell called DCC director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell from a cruise to tell them she was retiring after five seasons. She then symbolically placed her uniform on the “no” rack.
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform before the start of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
After America’s Sweethearts Season 3 aired, she shared a TikTok video of herself crying while watching her final episode. During that goodbye, Finglass praised Powell, per PEOPLE, for keeping the team “spicy” and “real,” while Trammell called her a “light on this team” who wouldn’t be forgotten.
Leaving a squad after five years is a heavy emotional choice, but it cleared the way for her next projects.
Where Kleine Powell is now
Powell didn’t take long to find her footing. In May 2026, she launched “By Kleine,” her own custom art and design studio and walked the runway with Kulani Kinis at Miami Swim Week the same month.
The following month, she appeared on Tokyo TV to discuss the World Cup coming to Dallas and conducted the entire interview in fluent Japanese. “It was so full circle for me,” she said in an Instagram post.
Cowboys co-owner Charlotte Jones, who watched the segment, called it one of the most impressive things she’d witnessed. “She truly is a star,” Jones told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
Off-camera, Powell has spent her new free time traveling with her husband, Luc. Since her retirement, the couple has visited Zion National Park, Yellowstone, and taken a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Her uniform is retired. Everything else is just getting started.
More NFL news: