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If Americas Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders taught us anything, it is that the world of cheerleading is brutally cut-throat. The Netflix docuseries charted the unforgiving audition and boot camp process behind the selection for the 2023 Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders squad. Winning a spot on the squad was certainly not easy — especially for "rookies" who weren't on the squad for the last season. The training camp began with 44 women — 28 vets and 16 rookies — before eventually being whittled down to a squad of 36. In the process a few fan-favourites were mercilessly cut from the team.
Well, it's another year and the Dallas Cowboys have a new cheer squad — and it includes a few familiar faces that didn't make the team last year.
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The salary for an NFL cheerleader may surprise you.
Did any rookies from last year make the team?
Yes! Two fan-favourites are officially on the squad: Charly and Kelly. Kelly was cut from training camp in the third episode of America's Sweethearts in an emotional scene. At the time, she promised she'd back to try again in 2024.
“Watching the show back definitely brings back a lot of emotions because not only am I reliving what transpired last year, but I’m also reliving it in real time now in training camp,” Kelly recently told The Hollywood Reporter.
She added, “I, through this process, learned that fighting for your dream is not an easy thing, but you can do it."
Well, she has done it.
Charly is also officially a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. She was the final rookie cut from the squad last year — although her dance skills were incredible, she was told she was “not there yet.” At the time, she said, “I’ll be back stronger next year.”
Obviously, Charly is thrilled to have finally earned a spot on the squad. She commented on the DCC Instagram post announcing the team, writing, “BEST DAY OF MY LIFE. 💙 my literal dream come true!!!! I would not change a thing and honoured does not even describe how I feel! This organisation means the absolute world to me and to be able to call it home now means more than I’ll ever be able to say. 🥹 what a legacy to be a part of. I am SO. EXCITED.”
The DCC put up with long hours and low wages, but according to America’s Sweethearts director Greg Whiteley, they “know the price of poker.”
The pair join Reese, one of the rookies from last year who did make the team — Reese is back on the squad this year.
There is no word yet on whether or not this year's intensive training camp will feature in a second series of the Netflix docuseries.
