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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team

American reality television series (2006–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team is an American reality television series that aired on CMT from September 29, 2006, to November 27, 2021.[2] The series follows the auditioning process and the forming of the Dallas Cowboys' annual Cheerleading squad. The series features director Kelli McGonagill Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell.

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In April 2022, it was reported that CMT canceled the series after 16 seasons.[3] A successor series, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was ordered by Netflix and premiered on June 20, 2024.[4][5]

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Summary

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The show tracks the progression of women who are in the audition process of trying to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. The show begins at Texas Stadium (Seasons 1–3), then moves with the team to AT&T Stadium in subsequent seasons: first the open audition "cattle call", then the five-person audition "cut-down", followed by personal interviews, uniform fittings, BMI testing, physical fitness testing, etiquette training, mock media interviews, and calendar shoots. Successful candidates must also complete a knowledge test on various subjects including, but not limited to: the Dallas Cowboys and their history, NFL Football in general and the rules of the game, general history, government, and current events.

There is also the grueling elite dance choreography that tests each woman's capacity to grasp dance combinations and perform the trademark kick-line/jump-split routine for which the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is known.

Women are judged by a hand-picked panel of experts, and scoring is based on physical appearance, physical fitness, dance style, poise, grace, intelligence, and showmanship.

Once training camp opens, the women are put through a program of elite dance training and physical conditioning that is comparable to some professional sports training programs. If a contestant is struggling, she is called into Finglass' office to discuss the nature of her difficulty and is generally given an opportunity to correct the shortcoming(s) to avoid being dismissed ("cut") from the squad.

Due to Covid protocols, auditions went virtual in 2020, and have remained so through 2021, with finals held in-person.

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Cast

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  • Note: Cheerleaders in bold indicate legacy cheerleaders (i.e. mother was previously a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). Cheerleaders in italics indicate (first) group leaders.

2021 season (Season 16)

2021–22 Squad

More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...

2020 season (Season 15)

2020–21 Squad[a]

More information Returning Veterans[citation needed], Rookies[citation needed] ...
  1. The 2020 season of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team took place in a "quarantine bubble" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All auditions were done online with training camp taking place in person with the needed measurements.[18]

2019 season (Season 14)

2019–20 Squad

More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...

2018 season (Season 13)

2018–19 Squad

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2017 season (Season 12)

2017-18 Squad

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  1. In June 2018, Wilkins sued the organisation for lost wages, calling for increased pay for members.[47] Lawsuit was settled in September 2019 resulting in increase in "cheerleader pay from $8 an hour to $12, and doubled...game-day pay from $200 to $400."[48]

2016 season (Season 11)

2016–17 Squad

More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...
  1. Cavalieri met Jeff Heath, in 2013,[52][53][54] became engaged in December 2016,[54] and were married in March 2018.[54]
  2. Scott later was a Rockette from 2017-19.

2015 season (Season 10)

2015–16 Squad

More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...
  1. Goode later appeared on season 21 of The Bachelor.

2014 season (Season 9)

2014–15 Squad

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  1. Sharber was briefly married to Cassidy Carter, son of Kitty Carter.[61][62]
  2. Sharber performs annually as an ensemble member in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.[63]

2013 season (Season 8)

2013–14 Squad

More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...

2012 season (Season 7)

2012–13 Squad

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    2011 season (Season 6)

    2011–12 Squad

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    1. Keys now helps choreograph game day routines for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders[75]

    2010 season (Season 5)

    2010–11 Squad

    More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...

    2009 season (Season 4)

    2009–10 Squad

    More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...
    1. Isleib dressed as Lil Wayne in blackface for a 2009 Halloween party.[77] The scandal was "handled internally," and Isleib remained on Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders squad with no public consequences or punishment.[78]

    2008 season (Season 3)

    2008–09 Squad

    More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...
    1. After leaving DCC, Becchetti cheered for the Minnesota Vikings.
    2. Rycroft later appeared on season 13 of The Bachelor and two seasons of Dancing with the Stars.
    3. Spangler later appeared on and won season 13 of The Amazing Race with her brother, Nick.

    2007 season (Season 2)

    2007–08 Squad

    More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...

    2006 season (Season 1)

    2006–07 Squad

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    2005 season (Pilot)

    2005–06 Squad[80]

    More information Returning Veterans, Rookies ...
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    Cheerleaders (by tenure)

    Legend[82]
    Cut
    Retired
    ResignedResigned
    Rookie
    Rookie of the Year*
    Veteran
    Veteran of the Year*
    BreakBreak
    Point^
    Group LeaderGL
    2nd Group Leader2GL
    Pro Bowl Representative
    More information First Name, Last Name ...
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    Notes

    1. Daughter of the late NFL player Kwamie Lassiter

    References

    Further reading

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