Meet the Cast of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Documentary

“People think what we do isn’t that hard,” says a cheerleader’s voice in the opening scenes of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. “But our job is to make it look easy.”

Making things easy is at the center of everything the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders do, and Greg Whiteley (Acclamation, Last chance U) new seven-episode docuseries chronicles the amount of work it takes — mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally — to make everything flow as smoothly as a 36-person chorus line.

Led by longtime director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell, DCC applicants go through a rigorous audition process: hundreds of qualified dancers apply each year, and beginners and veterans alike go through the same process audition each season. From the finalist auditions depicted in Episode 1 of the series to the official 2023 team, the number of candidates is reduced from 76 to 36, and each part of the process seems fiercer than the last. Withstanding this amount of pressure and expectation takes an extraordinary amount of talent and presence of mind, and the women in the cast of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders bring it all into the field – until they’re cut off, of course.

“There are certain people you feel like you have to focus on,” Whiteley says of the women he and his team follow throughout the series. “You have to trust that instinct
and be open to the direction their story takes. We were totally willing to continue filming with someone who wasn’t part of the crew.

Below, meet the topics of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the rookie and veteran prospects, coaches and executives who bring the dream team to life, year after star-studded year.

Kelli Finglass

Occupation

director, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders

About

A DCC alum herself, Kelli Finglass has led the team to greatness since 1991 and is considered the visionary who transformed the team into one of the most recognized brands in the world. “The new energy from entry-level candidates to veteran candidates,” Finglass says in the document. “It’s what gives me energy over the years.”

Judy Trammel

Occupation

head choreographer of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders

About

Judy Trammell is the other half of Finglass, developing the choreography for the team. She is also a DCC alumna, or as Finglass calls her, “an iconic DCC cheerleader from the 80s.” As Trammel recalls: “In 1980, when I auditioned, 2,000 girls showed up. When you see old videos of it now, it’s funny to watch. We wore little shorts sets and heels. I don’t think at that time girls were as technically trained. The girls are now much better than what we had.

Judy Trammell and Kelli Finglass sitting at a table

Charlotte Jones

Occupation

owner, executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys

About

Charlotte is also the daughter of legendary Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and she is directly responsible for hiring Kelli to lead the cheerleading squad.

“Hiring Kelli was one of the biggest decisions I have ever made. I need someone around me who I can trust. I need someone who stays up at night and tries to solve problems and tries to make the vision come to fruition.

Charly

Occupation

DCC rookie candidate

About

Newbie Charly has a lifetime of training as a ballet dancer: “Technique and ballet are pretty much the basis of dance. And then from technique, we can move on to style and genre. I have been doing ballet since I was 2 years old. Ballet is a great foundation to have…there’s right and wrong in technique, and I always like to get it right.

Anisha

Occupation

DCC recruit candidate, orthodontist

About

A full-time orthodontist, rookie Anisha turned heads at the DCC auditions with her Bollywood-inspired solo.

“If I know I have five minutes between patients, I try to do one or two full routines. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. When I was in dental school, I was on the Golden State Warriors (cheerleading team). Warriors is very hip-hop, and it takes place on a field, so the things we did there are different than what you would do on a football field. DCC is very attentive and very technical.

Kelly V.

Occupation

DCC rookie candidate

About

Kelly V, a native of Weehawken, New Jersey, credits her parents for supporting her dance career throughout her life.

“I wanted to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader my whole life. I just didn’t think it was a possibility for me, given that I live in New Jersey. I want to make my parents proud, because they know how much I want it and they have sacrificed so much. I just want to show them what I did (and tell them) that you didn’t sacrifice all of this for nothing.

Kelcey

Occupation

DCC Fifth Year Veteran Candidate, Pediatric Nurse

About

Kelcey balances a high-pressure, full-time job as a pediatric nurse with her leadership role within the DCC.

“You learn to speed up your meals when you’re busy like me 18 hours a day. CDC is more of a part-time job: as a nurse, I work from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., then I go to the office and come home at midnight, sometimes at 1 a.m. A lot of us work full time and come to DCC at night, so it can be really exhausting… but there are moments here that are so special, I will cherish them for the rest of my life, but it’s worth it penalty.

Ari

Occupation

DCC recruit candidate, medical device salesman

About

Ari returns to the DCC audition process after being cut from the team in 2022.

“I always wanted to do DCC. It was my dream. I decided to try in April 2022 and was excluded at the end of July. It was devastating. After getting cut, I wondered where to go from there – I knew deep down that I would never want to be on another NFL team. And that’s what (about DCC) is about, they set the standard.

Recipe

Occupation

DCC rookie candidate

About

Reece says it’s his faith that inspires him to compete at such a high level.

“In college, I experienced a lot with my self-image. I really, really began to connect with my relationship with Jesus. It is a relationship more than a religion, and I firmly believe that my relationship with Christ has brought me to where I am today.

Victoria

Occupation

DCC Fourth Year Veteran Candidate, Fitness and Dance Instructor

About

Victoria is a second generation DCC – her mother and closest confidante, Tina, was also on the team in the 80s.

“I get comments saying y’all are too close, it’s unhealthy. But I wouldn’t do it any other way. She is my rock, my person, my biggest supporter of all time.

Madeleine

Occupation

DCC Fifth Year Veteran Candidate, Dance Teacher

About

Madeline has always had DCC in her blood – her mother is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and her late father worked as the team’s cinematographer.

“I knew I wanted to be at DCC when I saw Stunned for the first time. It’s powerful. You’re excited and nervous before the game even starts. I’m here to be part of a great organization that cares about its fans and its tradition. I am here to show the gift that was given to me: I am here to dance.

Sophie

Occupation

DCC Second Year Veteran Candidate, Dance Teacher

About

Sophie has been participating in dance competitions since the age of 5.

“What I love most about being a part of DCC is the team bonds and relationships built. All the girls are genuine, helpful and kind. They all help each other and sincerely want to see each other succeed. This special and unique sisterhood among all cheerleaders is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I feel extremely lucky to dance alongside such amazing, strong, hardworking and unique women who I admire so much.

Anna-Kate

Occupation

Entry level candidate at CDC, investment advisor representative

About

Anna Kate is the younger sister of Caroline, a five-year DCC veteran now retired. The two live together during Anna Kate’s audition process.

“I often get upset. I feel like I’ve trained enough where I know, but I feel like there’s a lot of pressure having (my sister) Caroline at DCC for the last five years.

Caroline

Occupation

DCC Promotion 2022

About

Caroline is Anna Kate’s older sister and newly retired from DCC. While recovering from surgery, Caroline sometimes questions her path.

“We had a few arguments, but for the most part it was a blessing for me that just as I was leaving DCC, she came along. It kind of softened the blow a little, so I didn’t feel so isolated from everything. I had been there for five years.

Kate

Occupation

DCC Promotion 2022

About

Kat, another retired DCC member, is Caroline’s best friend.

“I have never held a job longer than at DCC. I don’t want DCC to be the highlight of my life. I can’t climax! I can’t peak at DCC. But it’s so hard to do it alone, I like having other girls with me to tell me “It’s okay girl, I’m sad too, but get up because we have practice “. I don’t have that now.