America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders lifts the lid on what it takes to be part of one of the most elite cheerleading squads in the world.

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Whether you're a rookie newcomer or a veteran, it doesn't matter – everyone has to audition every year, with your place never a guarantee.

Now returning for a second season, the stakes are higher than ever, with new girls and some returnees ready to prove they have what it takes to be part of the squad.

Season 2 picks up ahead of the last round of 2024–2025 squad auditions, with the cameras following those who get selected through training camp, heartbreaking cuts, the official team announcement and into the NFL season.

But who is who? Here are the key faces and people you need to know - and where to find them on Instagram.

The Bosses

Kelli Finglass – Director of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Kelli Finglass.
Kelli Finglass. Netflix

Instagram: @kellifinglass

Kelli Finglass the the woman to impress if you want to get on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and rules the audition and training process with an iron fist.

Having been a DCC member from 1984 to 1989, Kelli ensures the team doesn't set a foot out of line on or off the field.

Kelli monitors not just the performances, but also the team's aesthetics, wanting to make sure the team has the "perfect look" by the time they make their debut on the field.

She has been in the role since 1991, and has turned the cheerleaders into their own multi-million-dollar money-making machine.

Judy Trammell – Head choreographer

Judy Trammell wearing a light green blazer and white blouse, looking ahead. She has long blonde hair.
Judy Trammell. Netflix

Instagram: @dcc_judy

A DCC team member from 1980 to 1984, Judy is in charge of the high-flying performances and the intense dance training schedule the cheerleaders go through.

Working as Kelli’s right-hand lady, the pair decide who to ultimately put on the squad, making the, at times, vicious cuts needed to get her final 36.

In the documentary, Judy admits that dance ability and skill has vastly improved since her years on the team, and she strives for perfection.

Like Kelli, she assumed her role in 1991 and has been one to impress ever since.

Charlotte Jones – Executive vice president and chief brand officer of Dallas Cowboys

Charlotte Jones and Kelli Finglass sat down next to each other, smiling slightly.
(L to R) Charlotte Jones and Kelli Finglass. Netflix

Instagram: @cjonescowboys

Charlotte is the daughter of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and has the final say on how many people make the team, as well as their finances.

She gives her input into who should make the squad, and who should be ruled out, often applying pressure on Kelli and Judy to make tough decisions.

The Veterans season 2

Amanda Howard - Third Year

Amanda Howard wearing blue and white cheerleading clothing, with her arms in the air holding two pom poms.
Amanda Howard. Netflix

Instagram: @movinwithmandy

Amanda moved to Texas during the pandemic and, after her first attempt was cut short during training camp, she eventually made the team in 2022.

Alongside being a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, Amanda is a content creator, and her ideal day starts with a slow morning, enjoying coffee with her husband and their two dogs.

Anna Kate Sundvold - Third Year

Anna Kate Sundvold wearing a blue sparkly vest top, with short blonde hair, looking across at something.
Anna Kate Sundvold. Netflix

Instagram: @annakatesundvold

Anna Kate arrived in season 1 as a rookie a year after her sister, Caroline, retired from the squad. And now, Anna Kate is a seasoned vet.

Away from the stadium, Anna Kate graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in finance, with a minor in accounting.

Armani Latimer - Fifth Year

Armani Latimer wearing cheerleading clothing, with her hands on her hips with a pom pom in either hand.
Armani Latimer. Netflix

Instagram: @ac_latimer

Armani was drawn to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the opportunity it provides to "influence little girls around the world" and to "advocate for personal issues".

Making the team is one of Armani's proudest accomplishments, and she plans to continue reaching her dreams and attending law school.

Chandi Dayle - Sixth Year

Chandi Dayle wearing a matching two piece set, smiling ahead.
Chandi Dayle. Netflix

Instagram: @chandidayle

Chandi is the longest-running DCC veteran trying out this year, and alongside being a cheerleader, she also works three jobs!

She is a licensed pharmacy technician for her family's business, works at a Pilates studio and does contract work for a DCC sponsor - there's nothing she can't do!

Jada McLean - Fifth Year

Jada McLean.
Jada McLean. Netflix

Instagram: @jadaboo0203

Jada was inspired to become a cheerleader by her dad's love for the Dallas Cowboys. She plans on retiring from the DCC after this upcoming season.

KayDianna MacKenzie - Fourth Year

KayDianna MacKenzie wearing blue and white cheerleading clothing, with one hand in the air, smiling upwards.
KayDianna MacKenzie. Netflix

Instagram: @kaydiannamackenzie

KayDianna has an impressive background in dance, with three World Championship dance titles and two years' experience as the Texas Christian University Showgirls captain under her belt.

Kayla Hayes - Second Year

Kayla Hayes sat down on a plastic blue chair, looking ahead.
Kayla Hayes. Netflix

Instagram: @_kaylahayes

It's been Kayla's dream to be a DCC since she was in middle school, and her years as a rookie have lived up to her expectations.

Kleine Powell - Fourth Year

Kleine Powell.
Kleine Powell. Netflix

Instagram: @kleinepowell

Kleine made the DCC team in 2021 and isn't planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

Megan McElaney - Fourth Year

Megan McElaney and her partner Alex sat down on a sofa, resting each other's heads on the other.
Megan McElaney and her partner Alex. Netflix

Instagram: @megan.mcelaney

Megan first joined the DCC in 2021 and is hoping for a sisterly reunion with her fellow DCCs this time round.

Reece Allman - Second Year

Reece Allman smiling as she walks down a corridor. She is brown hair that is resting on her shoulders.
Reece Allman. Netflix

Instagram: @reece_christinee

A devout Christian from Jacksonville, Florida, Reece has moved to Texas in order to achieve her dream of being on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

She made the team last year and is trying out as a veteran in season 2. And now, she is a married woman after getting hitched to her college sweetheart Will in April 2024.

She has been dancing since the age of three, and received a degree in Dance at the University of Alabama, with hopes one day to be a dance teacher.

Sophy Laufer - Third Year

Instagram: @sophylulaufer

Sophy moved from California to Texas at just 18 years old in the hopes of becoming a DCC.

The Rookies season 2

Abby Summers

Abby Summers wearing a pink sports set, smiling ahead.
Abby Summers. Netflix

Instagram: @abbysummerss

Abby has an impressive track record, having been recruited by the Ohio State Dance Team during her junior year of high school, after which her team won six Universal Dance Association National Championships.

Ariel Brumfield

Instagram: @arieljakyra_

Ariel tried out to be a DCC as she is keen to be part of an organisation that represents a larger purpose beyond dancing.

Ava Lahey

Instagram: @avamarielahey

Ava was the very last cut before the final DCC squad in 2021 and, after taking some time to go to finish her studies and mature, Ava is back with hopes of making a career at DCC.

Charly Barby

Charly Barby smiling ahead, with long red hair falling on either side of her shoulder.
Charly Barby. Netflix

Instagram: @charlybarby

A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in communications, Charly’s flame-red hair as she performed a routine to Rise Up by Andra Day immediately caught the judges’ attention.

She’s a trained ballet dancer – which makes her perfect for those Thunderstruck high kicks.

Charly was the 2023-2024 squad's last cut, but this made her only more determined, and she moved to Dallas full-time to commit all her time to training.

Clare Marie Kuebler

Instagram: @cmkuebler

After four years as a Golden Girl at The University of Missouri, Clare Marie hopes to represent the DCC with the same poise.

Cooper Maas

Instagram: @cooper.maas

With four years' experience on the University of Arizona Pomline, Cooper is headed to Dallas in the hopes of joining the squad.

Dayton Bramhall

Dayton Bramhall wearing a matching blue crop top and shorts set, smiling ahead. She has both arms stretched outwards and his holding silver pom poms.
Dayton Bramhall. Netflix

Instagram: @daytonbramhall

Daughter of Shelly Bramhall, Dayton is entering this season's tryouts with the added pressure of having auditioned twice - and it not going in her favour.

Jenna Waller

Instagram: @jennawaller_

Jenna graduated from Oklahoma University, where she cheered on the OU Pom squad for four years.

Kelly Villares

Kelly Villares pictured from the side, smiling. She is wearing a blue sparkly vest top.
Kelly Villares. Netflix

Instagram: @kellyvillares

Moving from Weehawken, New Jersey, to Texas for a spot on the squad, for Kelly it is the DCC or nothing.

Prepared to do anything to impress, she’s even willing to let go of her signature blonde hair and be styled just how the judges want her to be - and in season 2 she has done just that.

Now a brunette, she's determined to be a "comeback girl".

Madie Krueger

Madie Krueger wearing a blue and white cheerleading outfit, smiling with with both her hands tucked behind her head.
Madie Krueger. Netflix

Instagram: @madie_krueger

Madie is one of the youngest rookie candidates and has only just graduated from high school.

Season 1 veterans

Kelcey Wetterberg - Fifth Year

Kelcey Wetterberg in a cheerleading outfit, resting on her knees with one hand in front of her. She is smiling as a group of girls stand behind her.
Kelcey Wetterberg. Netflix

Instagram: @kelcey_w

Kelcey is a long-time member of the squad who, over the five years she's been in DCC, has seen their responsibilities and pressures evolve.

On top of performing on the squad, Kelcey is a paediatric nurse and lives with her longtime partner, Nate Crnkovich.

With Nate having dreams of becoming an actor, and her intense schedule with DCC putting pressure on her life, she needs to decide how much longer she should remain on the team.

Victoria Kalina - Fourth Year

Victoria Kalina.
Victoria Kalina. Netflix

As well as a returning member of the team, Victoria has the added pressure of being a second-generation family cheerleader, with her mother being part of the squad at the same time as director Kelli.

After taking a year away from the squad after suffering from burnout, depression and disordered eating, Victoria admits she feels like “an outsider” during the audition process.

Regardless, she’s desperate to impress Kelli, and finally earn herself an esteemed position as one of the squad’s dance captains.

Her mother, Tina, is also a prominent contributor on the series, helping her daughter train and giving insight into the years she was in DCC.

McKenzie Hughston - Fourth Year

Instagram: @dcc_mckenzie

A pharmaceutical sales rep by day, with a degree in both dance and psychology, McKenzie is one of the most established performers for DCC.

She’s also competitive, saying ahead of the audition that “pressure is a privilege”, arguing the pressure is only there because they’ve done well before.

The season promises to be an emotional one for the star, with her planning on leaving the squad at the end of the year– that’s if she gets in at all.

Madeline Salter - Second Year

Madeline Salter.
Madeline Salter. Netflix

Instagram: @_madelineggrace

For Madeline, the Dallas Cowboys are in her blood – her mother, Shannon, was a cheerleader, and her father, Michael, was a cinematographer for the football team.

Fighting for her place once again, Madeline has a lot riding on getting in after initially failing to get through when she first auditioned back in 2019.

Now she’s earned her position, she will do whatever it takes to keep it.

Shannon also appears on the series to discuss her career, and how Madeline literally wouldn’t be here without the team.

Season 1 rookies

Anisha Kula

Anisha Kula wearing a pink outfit, smiling as she is pictured from the side.
Anisha Kula. Netflix

Instagram: @anishakula

Anisha immediately impresses Kelli and the judging panel with her Bhangra-fusion dance routine during her audition.

Soon, she finds herself having to balance life as a cheerleader with her day-to-day job of being an orthodontist, practising her routines during appointments.

Prior to auditioning for the DCC, she was a cheerleader for the basketball team, the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, California.

Ariana McClure

Instagram: @arimcclure

Sweet in nature and short in stature, Ariana – known best as Ari – quickly makes her name for herself as one to watch in the auditioning girls.

A former Laker Girl for the LA Lakers, Ari also has an impressive CV behind her before setting foot in the practice room.

On top of being a professional dancer, Ari is also a medical device salesperson for Profound Medical Inc, specialising for the minimally invasive Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of the Prostate, helping those with prostate cancer.

America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available to stream on Netflix now.

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Authors

Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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