Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Dayton Bramhall says she 'did everything right' — but still got cut twice: is the system rigged against her?
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A third-time auditionee and daughter of longtime DCC associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall, Dayton came into the 2024 training camp with the weight of a legacy and the pressure to finally make the team. But after once again being cut, the young dancer made a decision that would redefine her identity beyond the DCC brand.
A legacy with something to prove returns for a third try at DCC
Raised in McKinney, Texas, Dayton Bramhall has been immersed in the world of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders her entire life.
Her mother, Shelly, was part of the DCC class of 1989 and has served as a key figure on the staff for years. That connection, however, didn't secure Dayton a spot. 'None of us want you to make this team just because you have a history,' director Kelli Finglass told her bluntly. 'You need to earn to make this team.
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Despite showing improvement and passion during her audition, Dayton struggled with memorizing choreography and keeping up with the precision and power expected at the elite level.
'There's one that just won't stick in my body, but I'll get it,' she said during training camp. Unfortunately, the veterans didn't believe she was ready — and Finglass ultimately told her it would be a 'disservice to have you make this team and the struggle be all year.
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Emotional fallout, a strained friendship, and a quiet comeback
While Dayton took the cut with grace, the decision left ripples in her personal life. Her mother Shelly admitted, 'That was hard because we were friends.
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If anything, I wasn't hurt by her not making it, I was way more hurt by Kelli and Judy.' Despite the tension, Dayton chose to tell her mom herself, showing maturity beyond her years.
She returned in 2025 for another shot — but was cut again before training camp. In a heartfelt comment on TikTok, Dayton wrote, 'I did EVERYTHING they asked of me and tried my absolute best to fit their mold. I'm not wanted there and I'm hoping this takes me to where I truly belong.'
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Now a teacher at The Young Company in Texas, Dayton is using her journey to empower young dancers. Her story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and redefining success on her own terms. As her mom put it best, 'She's stronger for doing so, even if the results weren't in her favor. God has something better for her.'
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