First ever Kiwi makes Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad
The 22-year-old, who lives in Perth and goes by the nickname Flexi Faith, was announced as one of six rookies that will join the team of 36 who will perform in this season of the NFL.
Thousands of women audition to make the squad each season, with very few spots to fill with fresh faces, or rookies as they are called.
Ward's audition began with sending through dance videos and photos and learning specific choreography before being flown to Texas.
After making it through the first trials in June, Ward told Perth Now: 'No matter the outcome, it'll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible".
This week she shared on her fast-growing social media platforms that she had been selected, posting emotional videos showing family and friends her new uniform: "telling people I got my dream job".
Born with double-jointed hips, Ward moved to Australia when she was 10 and began working as a professional dancer at 18, performing on cruise ships, Perth Now reported.
The iconic cheerleaders in their white-hot pants, cowboy boots and dazzling blue crop top have been performing at Dallas Cowboys' games since 1961.
They became world famous when the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came out last year, shining a light on what goes on behind the scenes.
The series showed the torturous toll the routines take on the womens' bodies (they jump from the air and land on the ground in the splits) - with injured necks, backs, hips and surgeries not uncommon.
It exposed the long hours of work for little pay (reportedly as little as US$400 a game) and the objectification of the women.
However, the series also captured the pride of making the grade and the impressive physical skills required.
Season 2 of the show dropped on Netflix in June. There's no word yet of season 3, which will be the one featuring Ward.
The cheerleaders have just entered training camp ahead of the NFL season. The first home pre-season game for the Cowboys is set for 17 August before their season officially kicks off at their home turf in Arlington, Texas on 15 September.
Ward is the first New Zealander to make the squad, but two Australians are among the esteemed alumni - Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
11 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Faith Ward becomes first-ever New Zealander to make Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
After making it through the first trials in June, Ward told Perth Now: 'No matter the outcome, it'll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible.' This week she shared on her fast-growing social media platforms that she had been selected, posting emotional videos showing family and friends her new uniform: 'telling people I got my dream job'. Born with double-jointed hips, Ward moved to Australia when she was 10 and began working as a professional dancer at 18, performing on cruise ships, Perth Now reported. The iconic cheerleaders in their white hot-pants, cowboy boots and dazzling blue crop top have been performing at Dallas Cowboys games since 1961. They became world famous when the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came out last year, shining a light on what goes on behind the scenes. The series showed the torturous toll the routines take on the women's bodies (they jump from the air and land on the ground in the splits) – with injured necks, backs, hips and surgeries not uncommon. It exposed the long hours of work for little pay – reportedly as little as US$400 ($672) a game – and the objectification of the women. However, the series also captured the pride of making the grade and the impressive physical skills required. Season 2 of the show dropped on Netflix in June. There's no word yet of season 3, which will be the one featuring Ward. The cheerleaders have just entered training camp before the NFL season. The first home pre-season game for the Cowboys is set for August 17, before their season officially kicks off at their home turf in Arlington, Texas on September 15. Ward is the first New Zealander to make the squad, but two Australians are among the esteemed alumni – Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther. - RNZ
Otago Daily Times
11 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
First ever Kiwi makes Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad
Wellington-born dancer Faith Ward has been named in the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) squad - the first time a New Zealander has made the crew. The 22-year-old, who lives in Perth and goes by the nickname Flexi Faith, was announced as one of six rookies that will join the team of 36 who will perform in this season of the NFL. Thousands of women audition to make the squad each season, with very few spots to fill with fresh faces, or rookies as they are called. Ward's audition began with sending through dance videos and photos and learning specific choreography before being flown to Texas. After making it through the first trials in June, Ward told Perth Now: 'No matter the outcome, it'll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible". This week she shared on her fast-growing social media platforms that she had been selected, posting emotional videos showing family and friends her new uniform: "telling people I got my dream job". Born with double-jointed hips, Ward moved to Australia when she was 10 and began working as a professional dancer at 18, performing on cruise ships, Perth Now reported. The iconic cheerleaders in their white-hot pants, cowboy boots and dazzling blue crop top have been performing at Dallas Cowboys' games since 1961. They became world famous when the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came out last year, shining a light on what goes on behind the scenes. The series showed the torturous toll the routines take on the womens' bodies (they jump from the air and land on the ground in the splits) - with injured necks, backs, hips and surgeries not uncommon. It exposed the long hours of work for little pay (reportedly as little as US$400 a game) and the objectification of the women. However, the series also captured the pride of making the grade and the impressive physical skills required. Season 2 of the show dropped on Netflix in June. There's no word yet of season 3, which will be the one featuring Ward. The cheerleaders have just entered training camp ahead of the NFL season. The first home pre-season game for the Cowboys is set for 17 August before their season officially kicks off at their home turf in Arlington, Texas on 15 September. Ward is the first New Zealander to make the squad, but two Australians are among the esteemed alumni - Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther.
NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- NZ Herald
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to end in 2026 after 30 years
'It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS. I'm not being replaced,' Colbert continued. 'This is all just going away. And I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. 'I am extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here. We get to do this show. 'We get to do this show for each other every day, all day, and I've had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years.' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Lorde during Tuesday's June 24, 2025 show. Photo / Getty Images CBS later said axing the show was a 'purely a financial decision'. 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,' read a group statement from Paramount co-CEO and CBS president and CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment head Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios president David Stapf. 'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.' While Colbert was on a blockbuster salary at the network, rumoured to be US$15 million ($25.19m) per year, commentary has quickly turned to Paramount Global's recent settlement with US President Donald Trump. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, is on the brink of merging with media company Skydance in coming months, but the merger has been plagued by controversy after Trump's defamation lawsuit last year, in which he accused CBS's 60 Minutes of broadcasting a misleading interview with Kamala Harris before he was elected president for a second time. Despite the case being deemed meritless by company executives, Paramount ultimately settled with the President for US$16 million ($26.87m) earlier this month. Some critics were convinced the settlement took place to bolster the merger's chances of approval under the Trump administration. Earlier this week, Colbert blasted his own employer on live TV over the saga. CBS cited financial reasons for cancelling the show, emphasising it was not related to performance. Photo / Getty Images 'As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended,' Colbert said. 'And I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company. But just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help. 'Paramount knows they could have fought it,' Colbert continued, citing the company's own statement Mr Trump's claims were 'completely without merit'. 'And keep in mind, Paramount produced Transformers: Rise of the Beast – they know completely without merit,' he joked. However, in its statement, CBS said the settlement played no part in its decision to axe The Late Show. 'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' the statement continued. 'Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonising decision even more difficult. 'Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas. 'The show has been No. 1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen's comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation's Zeitgeist. 'The accomplishments of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert are memorable and significant in performance, quality and stature. With much gratitude, we look forward to honouring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.'
