Behind-the-scenes shows such as CMT’s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” and Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” have revealed that being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader is more than just a glamorous job. Every time they pick up their pom poms, they face lengthy hours of rehearsal, meager remuneration, and intense pressure to perform flawlessly. And that’s only for game-day peperformances.
Off the field, there are other requirements that must be met in order to keep DCC status. Admission to the coveted DCC clan comes with a list of regulations longer than a CVS receipt, and the criteria for how the squad promotes the brand on and off the field are higher than their renowned split leap. A DCC’s life is meticulously planned, from hair and cosmetics to their gorgeous physiques. Even areas of their social lives are governed by the organization and its list of dos and donts. Greg Whiteley, director of the “America’s Sweethearts” series, explains why. “If you go into Texas and mention the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, they are beloved,” Whiteley told People. “In fact, one could make the argument: you can fire coaches, you can trade players, but you better not do anything to that uniform or that standard or that brand.”
Societal expectations on people in the public eye are harsh, and when you are part of a group like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders — who are known for their combination of athleticism, beauty, and full-on sex appeal — it can be especially brutal. But that level of expectation wasn’t arrived at by accident. Since its inception, the DCC has carefully cultivated a look that has become synonymous with NFL cheerleading. And while they are not the only team in the league to create an image, they are considered by many to be the yardstick by which all others are measured.
To be clear, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders website indicates that there are no formal height or weight requirements to join the group. Instead, it states, “You should look well-proportioned in dancewear.” That’s because part of the audition process entails donning the iconic blue and white uniform, which leaves little to the imagination. “It’s very form-fitting, and it’s definitely not one-size-fits-all,” said DCC director Kelli Finglass during an episode of “America’s Sweethearts.” A candidate’s physical appearance might significantly impact their chances of joining the team. Veteran DCC Kelcey Watterberg stated in the same episode: “If someone looks like the uniform belongs on them, it could change the trajectory of training camp.”
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