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.
edit
Legend[ 82]
Cut
Retired
Resigned
Resigned
Rookie
Rookie of the Year
*
Veteran
Veteran of the Year
*
Break
Break
Point
^
Group Leader
GL
2nd Group Leader
2GL
Pro Bowl Representative
First Name
Last Name
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
KayDianna
Davis
Ashlinn
Maze
Megan
Mcelaney
Jensen
Merrill
Kelee
Norris
*
Kleine
Powell
Madeline
Salter
Tori
Skillings
Rebecca
Troyak
Lea
Tunnell
Jessica
Bowman
Elli
DiGiovanni
Darian
Lassiter[ a]
Armani
Latimer
Dani
McGinnis
Jada
McLean
Mckenzie
Sherman
*
Claire
Wolford
Victoria
Kalina
Break
Chandi
McCright
Kelcey
Wetterberg
*
Marissa
Garrison
Kat
Puryear
Ashlee
Ford
2GL
2GL
Jalyn
Stough
2GL
Caroline
Sundvold
*
2GL
GL
Lisa
Mills
Break
Amber
Laiche
Kristin
Dodd
Taylor
Johnson
Amber
McMillan
2GL
2GL
Madeline
Molloy
Erin
Sauerhage
2GL
Rachel
Wyatt
2GL^
GL^*
Gina
Ligi
2GL
GL*
GL^
Lexie
Sullivan
2GL
GL
GL
Alora-Rose
Morgan
Resigned
Amanda
Dilks
Resigned
Sydney
Hawthorne
Briana
Baisden
Daphne
Janes
Cianna
Levi
Alanna
Tarango
Rachel
Alexander
Savannah
Heineken
Tess
Guidry
GL
GL
Maddie
Massingill
GL
GL^
GL^
Lily
Johnson
Meredith
Madden
Hannah
Anderson
Brennan
Cook
Taylor
Pedersen
Bridget
Jacob
*
Molly
Neumeister
Alexis
Peterson
2GL
Christina
Riccelli
Miranda
Tims
2GL
Heather
O'Connor
*
*
GL
Amy
Leonall
GL
GL^
Gabby
Goduco
Lauren
Parker
Khalyn
Cole
Tasha
Cruz
Yuko
Kawata
Jessika
Palmer
Kelli
Sullivan
KaShara
Garrett
*
GL^
GL^
Lacey
Munoz
GL
GL
Keyra
Ford
Tara
Szybillo
Selina
Flores
Cersten
Bradley
Kelsey
Lowrance
Maggie
Rouse
Simone
Culwell
Chantel
Jones
Stephanie
Larson
Robin
Richardson
*
Elizabeth
Voegtle
Jinelle
Davidson
GL
Jenna
Jackson
GL
GL^
Milan
Brahney
Resigned
Holly
Powell
Resigned
Kalyssa
Singleton
Resigned
Alexandria
Stavropoulos
Resigned
Allie
Droste
Heather
Hamilton
Raylee
Stearman
Mandy
Voecks
Claire
Brown
Megan
Carcioppolo
Jaclyn
Tisdale
Amy
Trader
Melissa
Wallace
Erica
Wilkins
Jennifer
Amburn
GL
GL^
Danielle
Barhold
GL
Jessica
Purdy
GL*
Paige
Cavalieri
Resigned
Kat
Rogers
Calia
Sims
Victoria
Carriere
Mary
Dill
*
Loren
Roeder
Ashley
Holland
Rachel
Lunsford
Kelsey
Bond
Kinzie
Rusco
Jacie
Scott
GL
Holly
Hubbard
*
GL^
GL^*
Angela
Nicotera
GL
Breelan
Statham
Ashley
Prochazka
Jasmine
Goode [ b]
Courtney
Russ
Abby
Bertrand
Samantha
Clark
Jessica
Kalil
Jennifer
Colvin
Jordan
Daigle
Ashley
Ferrel
Emma
Dutton
GL
Katy
Fink
Veronica
Lind
Brittney
Schram
Nicole
Bulcher
GL*
Sydney
Durso
GL
GL
GL
Morgan
Jordan
Courtni
Wedeman
Hannah
West
Alex
Hermes
Kaitlyn
Phillips
Carisa
McMillan
Olivia
Sharber
Kim
Tong
Amelia
Smith
Mackenzie
Weeks
Lauren
Williams
GL*
Jacqueline
Bob
GL*
GL
Mia
Greenhouse
GL^
Chelsea
Chaney
Teri
George
Collin
Sarvis
Emily
Claire
Kali
Drake
Colleen
Brent
Courtney
Cook
Alexandra
Gandara
Meagan
McVay
Whitney
Isleib
GL^
GL^
Melissa
Kellerman
Cassie
Trammell
GL
GL
Jenna
Brooks
Cassie
Dyson
Meghan
Phillips
Kamilah
Todd
Alyssa
Torres
Amber
Smith
Sasha
Agent
Ann
Lux
Sunni
Cranfill
Ashton
Torres
Brittany
Evans
*
GL*
Kaitlin
Ilseng
Kelsi
Reich
Ally
Traylor
GL
GL
Kaitlin
LeGrand
Olivia
Stevanovski
Stephanie
Heymann
Alyssa
Sarasani
Evan
Anderson
Carey
DePasquale
Joannah
Liad
Jordan
Baum
Jordan
Chanley
Michelle
Keys
Crystal
Trevino
^
Meredith
Oden
GL*
Meagan
Sharp
Tia
Williams
Tobie
Percival
Brooke
Sorenson
GL
Trisha
Trevino
GL
GL
Amy
Reese
Brandi
Kilby
Vanessa
Jenkins
Malia
Morales
*
Kristen
Gauthier
Abigail
Klein
Sarah
Gourley
GL
GL
Nicole
Hamilton
GL^
GL^*
Justine
Phillips-Orf
GL
GL
Lauren
Castillo
Jennifer
McMahon
Jordyn
Ketchum
Stefani
Peterson
Sarah
Clay
Erica
Jenkins
Dara
McFarlane
Ryan
Ray
Deryn
Derbigny
Kandi
Harris
Julie
Jacobs
Makenzi
Swicegood
GL
Michelle
Mozek
Kelly Jo
Stauffacher
Leah
Mullinax
Andrea
Rogers
Carmen
Butler
Gina
Becchetti
Candice
Carr
Loni
Lindsey
Christina
Murphy
Sarah
Shelton
Natalie
Woods
Jennifer
Nix
Melissa
Rycroft
Misty
Duncan
GL
Megan
Fox
GL
GL
Christina
Parker
GL
Erica
Perry
Emily "Starr"
Spangler
Kristin
Hager
Cori
Robinson
Yoshiko
Danjo
Dulce
Rosales
Carrie
Stilwell
Lynlee
Allen
GL
Elizabeth
Davis
GL
Emma
Dawson
Becca
Gambel
Lisa
Henslin
GL
Jen
Hill
Monica
Moore
Whitney
Ott
Andrea
Richards
Leah
Wilkins
Deanna
Hernandez
Melissa
Rutigliano
^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team 2006" . TV Guide . Retrieved July 29, 2016 .^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team : Characters" . Country Music Television. 2008. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.^ Amaranthus, Bri (April 1, 2022). "Game Over: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Ending 16-Season TV Run" . FanNation . Retrieved April 8, 2023 . ^ White, Peter (April 18, 2024). "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Series Moves To Netflix" . Deadline . Retrieved April 18, 2024 . ^ "Videos" . FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth . May 6, 2024.^ a b c "JENNA JACKSON on Instagram: "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Meet the Team Photo Drop🤩 Proud Alumni⭐️" .^ "Rachel Alexander on Instagram: "When life gives you 15 stars... Dance your heart out, make amazing memories, and find your very best friends 💙⚡️ After four years with the Cowboys, I have decided to retire my poms. I am forever grateful for my time as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and for all of the incredible women I have been lucky enough to share the sidelines with. Thank you to all of my teammates, past and present, for making this crazy ride so special. Good luck to the girls continuing, or just beginning, their cheerleading careers. I can't wait to watch y'all shine! And thank YOU. My friends, family, and all of Cowboys Nation, for believing in me and supporting me every step of the way. Representing the team I grew up cheering for has been an honor, and this organization will always hold an irreplaceable spot in my heart. Cheers to FOUR unbelievable years. And cheers to what's to come ✨⭐️" .^ "@bri_channelle on Instagram: "not my first rodeo, but definitely the last (Kinda)🤠. I knew heading into this season that it would be my last year, and what a year it was. If the pandemic taught me anything, it's that i have been burning the candles at both ends for a really long time, & it's time to take a teensy step back (Plus, helping everyone else chase this dream has been the most fun these past few weeks). But 6 NFL seasons later, i have learned 6 very important lessons: 1. Write it in pencil. Both praise and criticism. It's not permanent & it doesn't define you. Being the subject of the day on the blog is basically a rite of passage at this point. 2. Take care of your body, you only have one. However, those 2am whataburger visits during training camp may have been the only thing that kept me sane (Small dr. Pepper easy ice, medium fry, 2 regular ketchups please). 3. It's cheerleading, not brain surgery. Don't overthink it. 4. Find your people. People who love you at your best & worst. People who won't ignore you when you ask, "wait, don't hate me. Which rebel tonight?", every night. People who track your location when you haven't texted back in a couple hours, just to make sure you're alive. 5. If i can run thunderstruck full out, 3 times back to back to back, outside, in july, I have faith that you too can do anything you put your mind to. 6. The days are long (So, so long), but the years are short. Be present, be gracious, and don't take yourself too seriously. Bonus #7. Raiders fans are the worst. Not up for debate. Luckily, judy wasn't ready to get rid of me yet (Who else would she yell at about nude vs white nails), & i am so thankful to have been invited back as an all star. So this isn't a full goodbye yet, just a see you later. ✌🏾🤍⭐️" .^ "Amandadilks on Instagram: "Cowboys Nation, thank you for welcoming me with open arms into your family for the last two years. I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I have made 💙 -All of my love & cheers ⭐️" .^ "DCC Sydney on Instagram: "Hanging up my poms with a heart full of gratitude! Thank you for everything #cowboysnation ! 💙🤍 Here's my KISS goodbye! @kissproducts" .^ "Savannah on Instagram: "What an incredible four years! 💙⭐️💙⭐️ Presented by: @kissproducts . . . . . #DCC #dallascowboyscheerleaders #dallascowboys #DCCMTT #dccmakingtheteam" .^ "Full Episode | Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team : S16, E3" . Archived from the original on October 2, 2021.^ "Victoria Kalina on Instagram: "Dear Friends, Due to some personal issues, I have made a brave, mature and unselfish decision to take a leave from the sidelines this season. THANK YOU for all your love, encouragement and support! Your messages mean THE world to me. I am reading every one of them and I will get back to you when I can. The DCC organization is family and I am so lucky to have their love and support. I can't wait to watch my sisters SHINE this season and cheer on the new rookies! I love y'all and appreciate all your KINDNESS and LOVE! XOXO, Victoria" .^ "Instagram" .^ "Mads on Instagram: "Safe to say I have been living the dream these last 5 years.⚡️If you have been around a while you know the journey didn't have an easy start but it did have the start I needed to fulfill my full potential here.✨ if it weren't for Kelli and Judy pushing me, teammates lifting me up and countless opportunities to represent Americas team I would not be the woman I am today. A terrified 18 year old flew to Dallas with no expectation of even making it past round 1 of auditions. Her expectations were exceeded greatly.😉 Thank you Cowboys nation for the years of love and endless support. Thank you to every teammate that turned into a sister for life and gave me all these memories.👯♀️ Thank you to DCC coaches and staff for making these last 5 years magic. Last but not least thank you to my family for the all the support a girl could ask for. I am beyond grateful for my time on the field and cannot wait to see who else gets to live out this dream for years to come! I am so thankful to be a little part of this incredible organization.💫To anyone who is scared to shoot for the moon, don't be. It's worth the leap. Sending all my love & cheers, DCC Maddie. 💙 if you see me in the boots and stars in the near future it's because this journey will be continued....as an ALL STAR.⭐️ 🎥: @sierraftonfilms @sierrafton she may not have captured the memories in real time but she did bottle them up for me perfectly. Thanks Si.🤍" .^ "Lisa Mills on Instagram: "as some of you may know, i suffered a "pretty gnarly" (As i like to call it) neck injury last season that worsened in november. It has been a difficult journey consisting of multiple trigger point injections, epidurals, PT sessions, etc., but the pain was made tolerable and manageable thanks to my support system and passion for dance. Unfortunately, despite all of our efforts, we could not manage the pain anymore to where it didn't affect my quality of life and dance career. With that being said, it is with a heavy heart that i announce my withdrawal from training camp for the 2021 season. I am devastated by the news, of course, but i am eager towards recovery and living life free from this pain. I am forever grateful for all of the love, support, and encouragement from my family, friends, my teammates, the DCC organization and the great care and supervision from my doctors, specialists, and athletic trainer seeing as i couldn't have done this without any of them. As kelli said, "this isn't the end.. This is only a delay of game." i am looking forward to auditions next year and coming back stronger and better than before 🤍 always remember to trust in the Lord, trust in the process, and remember your WHY 🙏🏼 John 13:7 #comeback #comebackseason p.s. Surgery went well! Thank you Lord!" .^ Thank You Cowboys Nation https://www.instagram.com/p/COjaZXIgEov/?igshid=sqiyoucr6hdf
^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Will Have Training Camp in a "Bubble" .^ "Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind" . August 20, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ " August 19, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Just 4 Kicks: Celebrate and Goodbye" . Dallas Cowboys ^ "Over two years ago I moved to TX with the crazy big dream of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader..." August 22, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Today is the day. As I sit in the locker room I write this with water filled eyes..." January 26, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Looking forward and never back" . August 25, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Well my sistas, it's been the best ride of my life..." January 5, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Just 4 Kicks: Roots and Retirement" . Dallas Cowboys . May 14, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube .^ "Love & Cheers to the most amazing 3 years!!!! That's a wrap..." August 6, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Best 3 Years of my Life..." June 15, 2020. Archived from the original Instagram .^ a b "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Squad Reveal" . Dallas Cowboys . October 27, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25 – via YouTube .^ a b c d e f g h i "Veterans Say GOODBYE" . CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. September 5, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube .^ "Every Single Season 14 Elimination" . CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. April 8, 2020. Event occurs at 17:29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube .^ "Difference Makers" . Podcasts ^ "Amy Shares Exciting News w/ Her Husband" . CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube .^ "Pro Bowl Announcement" . December 29, 2019 – via Facebook .^ a b "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Roster Reveal" . Dallas Cowboys . October 30, 2018 – via YouTube .^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Every Heartbreaking Dallas Cowboys Veteran Cut" . CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. May 27, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13 – via YouTube .^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2017-18 Rookie Twitter Accounts Are Here" . Pro Dance Cheer . October 27, 2017.^ "After four seasons as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Jennifer is retiring" . May 11, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Danielle is retiring" . May 8, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After two seasons with the Dallas Cowboysa cheerleaders, Claire is retiring" . May 8, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After two seasons with the Dallascowboys cheerleaders, Megan is retiring" . May 11, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After five seasons as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Jessica is retiring" . May 10, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After two seasons as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Jaclyn is retiring" . May 9, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After two seasons as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Amy T. is retiring" . May 10, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "After three seasons as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Melissa is retiring" . May 9, 2017 – via Facebook .^ "Erica is in injured reserve" . July 1, 2017 – via Twitter .^ Perez, A.J. (June 13, 2018). "Ex-Cowboys cheerleader claims in lawsuit she was paid fraction of what mascot earned" . USA Today ^ McNamara, Audrey (September 10, 2019). "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Settle Pay Dispute, Entire Squad Gets Raise" . The Daily Beast ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Pro Bowlers By the Numbers" . Weekly Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Blog . January 22, 2017.^ "Today is the last time I will step on the field in these beautiful white boots..." January 3, 2016. Archived from the original Instagram .^ "Cheers to the girls..." May 21, 2016 – via Instagram .^ "Safety Jeff Heath served as emergency kicker for Cowboys" . NFL ^ Peters, Meg (June 16, 2016). "Dallas Cowboy's Jeff Heath to host Pom Pom's & Pigskins summer camp" . The Lake Orion Review . ^ a b c "Jeff & Paige: We're Getting Married!" . Zola ^ a b c Scott, Jacie (August 17, 2017). "PDC Series: Where Are They Now – Nicole Bulcher" . Pro Dance Cheer . ^ a b "2014 Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Squad Announced" . Dallas Cowboys. August 27, 2014.^ "2014 Squad" . Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014 .^ "I retired!!!!!" . September 12, 2014 – via Twitter .^ "Carisa McMillan Wilson" . Carolina Dance Center . July 13, 2016. ...she became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for the 2012 and 2013 football seasons. ^ "Bio" . Olivia Rene Sharber . April 17, 2019. ...toured and performed with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for two seasons in 2012 and 2013 ^ "Missouri player tweets proposal to Dallas Cowboys cheerleader" . Fox Sports ...she's the daughter-in-law of Kitty Carter, a dance coach for the Cowboys cheerleaders. ^ "Texas Divorce Listings from 2015 - Page 145" .^ Anbouba, Margoux (August 7, 2017). "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Keeps High Kicking With the Rockettes" . D Magazine ^ a b "2013 Squad" . Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013 .^ "Where Are They Now: Courtney Cook" . September 2, 2018 – via Facebook .^ "Where Are They Now: Sasha Agent" . CMT . September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020.^ "Where Are They Now: Sunni Cranfill West" . CMT . September 21, 2018. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020.^ Evans, Brittany (April 28, 2012). "Farewell from Brittany" . Dallas Cowboys ^ Ilseng, Kaitlin (March 19, 2012). "Farewell from Kaitlin" . Dallas Cowboys ^ Lux, Ann (February 21, 2012). "Farewell from Ann" . Dallas Cowboys ^ Reich, Kelsi (April 10, 2012). "Farewell from Kelsi" . Dallas Cowboys ^ Torres, Ashton (March 13, 2012). "Farewell from Ashton" . Dallas Cowboys ^ Traylor, Ally (May 18, 2012). "Farewell from Ally" . Dallas Cowboys ^ "Where Are They Now: Jordan Chanley-Tabor" . CMT . October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020.^ "From Cheerleader to Choreographer" . CMT . September 6, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020.^ "Where Are They Now: Meredith Oden" . CMT . October 19, 2018. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020.^ Connelly, Richard (November 4, 2009). "(and Friendswood), Keeping it Classy" . Houston Press ^ Roberts, Soraya (November 5, 2009). "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Whitney Isleib causes controversy by sporting blackface for Halloween" . New York Daily News ^ "Cheerleaders: DCC Squad Photos 2000-09" . Dallas Cowboys . June 3, 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-14 .^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders of 2005 - 06 - Pompedia" .^ "Making the Team Pilot - Pompedia" .^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Through the Years" .
