Fans of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” on Netflix can attest to the fact that to be on the squad, cheerleaders have to follow a long list of strict rules about everything from appearance to behavior to just how high those kicks have to be.
And according to People, most of the rules have been around since 1972. But over the years, the list has grown. In fact, according to a podcast dedicated to all things DCC called “America’s Girls,” by the 1990’s, cheerleaders received a rule book that was hundreds of pages long.
And current DCC Director Kelli Finglass makes no apologies for that. She told People, “I don’t make excuses for our standards. It is a highly visible organization with very elite dancers.”
So, what, exactly, are in those pages?
Here are five of the biggest #squad goals for the DCC faithful.
1. Checklist to Even Make Training Camp
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hopefuls have to be at least 18 to tryout, but there is no upper age limit.
To even be considered, women must submit two photos- one headshot and one full-length. They have to introduce themselves in a 20-second video, and submit a one-minute video of themselves dancing.
If they make it to auditions in Dallas at “the Star,” judges will be looking carefully at not only dance technique and that all-important ability to do both high kicks and splits, but also appearance, energy, enthusiasm and that hard-to-define “it factor.” In fact, the DCC website says, “Confidence is a competitive performance quality.”
Season two of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” also shows Finglass quizzing the hopefuls on their knowledge of the Dallas Cowboys organization. And she makes no bones about not knowing the answers, telling one rookie who falters, “You’ll need to know the answer to that if you want to make the team.”
2. Cheerleaders Must Attend All Rehearsals
Skipping rehearsals isn’t an option for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
In fact, the DCC website states in all caps: “CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT FEEL THEY CAN ATTEND ALL REHEARSALS SHOULD NOT CONTEMPLATE BEING A DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER.”
Squad members can expect to attend two to five mandatory rehearsals a week pre-season. Once the season begins, there’s a set schedule for evening rehearsals, with extra rehearsals on weekends for rookies and the DCC “Show Group,” which DCC’s website describes like this: “The DCC Show Group showcases the advanced dance techniques and vocal skills of an elite group of 12 Cheerleaders in a fully choreographed musical variety extravaganza. The entire show features elaborately costumed and carefully staged production numbers filled with singing and dancing for every taste – from Classical to Country to good ol’ Rock-n-Roll. A separate audition process during the summer allows interested DCC the opportunity to demonstrate their dance and/or singing qualifications for selection to Show Group.”
3. Appearance is Everything
Fans who watched season one of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” know that a lot of attention is placed on how the cheerleaders LOOK.
While the DCC website says there are no specific height and weight requirements, it does state, “You should look well proportioned in dancewear.”
Hair is worn down. In 2016, DCC Director Kelli Finglass told People, “Now it’s about the girls being as glamorous as they can. They all wear their hair down, even in rehearsal.”
In fact, hair flips have become a part of DCC’s signature style, with one cheerleader telling People, “Our dances almost always have some form of ‘hairography.’”
The cheerleaders are also encouraged to wear natural-looking makeup without a lot of glitter. False eyelashes and fake-looking orange-toned spray tans are discouraged. And any tattoos have to be fully covered up at all times.
4. Former Cheerleaders Cannot Keep the Uniform
Even veterans who plan to return the next season have to turn in their uniforms at the end of each season.
DCC leaders implemented stringent sign-in and sign-out procedures to keep branded Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders gear from showing up on eBay or, worse yet, in photo shoots that weren’t “on brand.”
In the “America’s Girls” podcast, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Dana Presley Killmer said she once accidentally left her uniform in a St. Louis hotel room. The uniform turned up for sale in a St. Louis newspaper a few weeks later. Kilmer said, “Suzanne [DCC Director at the time] was so upset. She said I’m not mad about the shorts, we can get you more shorts, and I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at what someone’s going to do with them.”
Cheerleaders Cannot Date Dallas Cowboys Players
DCC hopefuls who think becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader might land them an NFL spouse should save themselves some time.
While it may not be a written rule, cheerleaders are not allowed to “fraternize” with Cowboys players, coaches or staff.
On the “America’s Girls” podcast, retired sports reporter Dale Hansen said, “Cowboys cheerleaders were off limits, and I think that only added to the aura of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which separated them from a lot of other cheerleader groups around the country.”
How to Watch ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’
Seasons one and two of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” are streaming now on Netflix.
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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders : Top 5 Squad Rules