America’s Sweethearts Find Their Footing in Season 2
A peek inside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Sophomore Season Netflix
In 2024, Netflix premiered America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders—a seven-part docuseries that follows the team’s season, from tryouts and learning the widely recognized “Thunderstruck” routine to cheering at their final home game.
Season 2 follows the cheerleaders through their 2024 season, as hundreds of rookies and returning veterans compete for one of just 36 spots on the team.
The Tryouts
Even if you’re a team veteran, you still have to try out—and you’re not guaranteed a callback. (One of the women this season made the team in 2022, was passed over in 2023, and earned a spot again in 2024.)
The tryouts themselves are fairly standard, but what really stands out to me is the panel of judges deciding who gets cut and who moves on.
There’s Kevin Walsh, a hairstylist and salon owner—this makes sense, since he becomes involved later in the process. He seems to have an eye for who fits the part, who doesn’t, and who might after a little work.
Then there’s Randy Steele from Lucchese Boots, which also makes sense since the brand manufactures the team’s signature boots.
And then… there’s Scott Padgett, a local meteorologist from CBS News Texas. According to my Dallas-native friend, he’s not even “the best one” in the city. The internet didn’t take kindly to him being on the panel and honestly, I’m still confused too.
The Coaches
The team is clearly a logistical beast, run by a slew of coaches, choreographers, managers, stylists, seamstresses, etc. — but the ship is steered by Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell. Kelli has served as director since 1991, and Judy is the lead choreographer. Both are former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders themselves.
The Girls
This season follows Dayton, who is a legacy — her mom is one of the choreographers — she is trying out six seasons after being cut. Then there’s Kelly and Charly, both of whom auditioned last season and didn’t make it. Since then, Charly has recovered from a life-threatening blood clot, and Kelly—who’s from Weehawken and representing the Northeast contingent —danced throughout college, always knowing the Cowboys was the goal but she didn’t make it last season so she moved to Dallas full time to be able to train for try outs.
We also meet Madie, who strategically chose to attend college in Dallas with the plan to try out for DCC the summer before her freshman year. And Abby, who has never left the state of Ohio and is living on her own for the first time.
As for the veterans, we have Chandi—a soft-spoken fifth-year cheerleader—and Armani, Kleine, Megan, Amanda, and Jada— the strong-willed outspoken one.
Training Camp + The Team
Like I said, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of girls who try out. A smaller group gets the chance to audition in person for the judges, and from there, those selected are sent to training camp. There, they learn a series of routines and cheers, get an introduction to the Cowboys organization, undergo a version of media training, and compete for one of the final spots on the team.
My favorite part is when they're still in training camp and the hairstylist judge brings them to his salon to tell them what they need to change. They add extensions, dimension, and sometimes give the girls entirely new hair colors. It always reminds me of that scene in The Wizard of Oz when they go to the Emerald City salon and the lion gets his fur brushed and trimmed.
But then, day by day, girls get cut—and eventually, we meet the final 36.
Fighting for Pay
The job of a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is officially described as part-time and seasonal. Even so, most of the women have to work at least one other job—one cheerleader had four—to make ends meet. With rigorous training, rehearsal, and game-day schedules, coupled with part-time or full-time jobs (one member is a registered nurse who goes straight to DCC practice after 12-hour shifts), it’s easy to see how physically and mentally taxing it can be just to stay afloat.
It’s also important to note that it’s not just home games. Many of the cheerleaders are selected for additional appearances—Kacey Musgraves concerts, photo shoots, Christmas specials, and more. Yes, they’re paid extra for those engagements, but it’s still a major time commitment.
When it comes to the physical upkeep required of a cheerleader, most expenses appear to be covered or heavily discounted through sponsorships—spray tans, waxing, nails, hair, teeth whitening, cosmetic procedures, meal plans. But as one cheerleader pointed out: “This won’t pay my rent.”
Despite the Cowboys being a $10.1 billion organization, much of the season follows veteran team members as they organize and advocate for higher wages. After last season’s signature Thunderstruck dance went viral—appearing everywhere from The Today Show with Hoda and Jenna, to late-night shows and TikTok—the cheerleaders’ visibility skyrocketed. So the question stood: if their reach is this wide and their cultural impact this significant, why aren’t they being compensated accordingly?
A group of veteran cheerleaders leads the charge. They consult with attorneys, reject their contracts, and engage in multiple conversations—both among themselves and with their coaches. The coaches appear hesitant, presumably because no one wants to challenge the Jones family. Jerry Jones is the Cowboys’ owner and president; his daughter, Charlotte Jones, serves as executive vice president and chief brand officer, and oversees the cheerleading squad.
After much back and forth, the season ends with the cheerleaders receiving a 400% pay increase. However, the series doesn’t clearly define what the original pay structure was. Some sources claim that cheerleaders were earning as little as $7 to $15 an hour, while others cite flat rates per game day or appearance.
While we may not know the exact figures, one veteran described the raise as “life-changing.”
What felt most honorable was that many of the women who led this fight knew they wouldn’t be returning for another season—but they chose to advocate anyway, fighting for better pay for those who remained and for members of the team.
The End
*spoilers ahead*
The problem with some of these shows is that they come out of the gate so strong in the first season, the second doesn’t always live up to the hype. But I did like this one better. Some standout moments:
When the cheerleaders perform Thunderstruck for the first time
Kelly and Charly making the team in year two after being cut the season prior
When Armani opens up about having alopecia and performs without her wig!
The girls performing during “Deeper Well” at Kacey Musgraves’ Dallas show
Chandi opening up about her trauma and stepping down as leader
Kelli thinking they put Weehawken, NJ on the map…
And finally, a few areas that I still have questions about:
What happened between Chandi and that man in the Bahamas?
Why hasn’t Madie K. ever eaten a raw vegetable?
Did the coaches stop giving Amanda extra performances when they found out she was leading the charge for more pay?
Was there alcohol served at Reece’s wedding?
Armani after making the decision to perform without her wig on. One of the best moments of the season (Credit: Netflix)
If you’ve watched the show, let’s discuss! And a special thanks to my friend Phillips Mitchell for helping me write about the changes to the cheerleaders’ pay structure.
Great read!! Well done dear!!!!