Latest news with #ChandiDayle
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi Dayle opens up about abuse, mental health, and her decision to leave DCC in an emotional farewell
In Season 2 of Netflix's America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Chandi Dayle emerged as one of the most compelling and quietly resilient figures on the squad. A sixth-year veteran of the DCC, Chandi's final season wasn't defined by glamor or touchdowns—but by a deeply personal battle with trauma, leadership, and ultimately, the courage to walk away on her own terms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chandi Dayle becomes group leader but battles self-doubt and emotional scars behind the scenes Although Chandi is a reserved presence compared to some of her more outspoken teammates, she was voted a 1st Group Leader by all 24 rookies—an incredible feat that speaks volumes about the quiet respect she commanded. In the words of DCC's Senior Director Kelli Finglass, the group leaders 'help with choreography, communication, and serve as mentors.' Yet for Chandi, stepping into leadership meant confronting internal struggles she had long buried. Chandi has a history of masking her pain. Her childhood was marked by abandonment—her father told her they didn't need to see each other again—and later, a physically abusive relationship that left lingering fear. 'I used to hide my past, afraid of judgment and shame,' she wrote during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 'As a survivor, I know I am more than my scars.' Her fellow DCC members, including mentor Judy Trammell, recognized her difficulty making big decisions and constantly seeking approval. 'She craves her attention and approval,' Judy noted, seeing a younger version of herself in Chandi. A Bahamas fling, mental health struggles, and her decision to retire spark controversy and reflection Things came to a head after a fling with a man she met in the Bahamas following her breakup with boyfriend Ryan. Feeling emotionally vulnerable and alone, Chandi invited him back to her hotel room—a choice that sparked tension among teammates over security concerns. She soon took a mental health break, missing games and practices. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During her absence, teammate KayDianna—who had temporarily stepped into Chandi's leadership role—became entangled in controversy for vaguely referencing the Bahamas incident on TikTok. A screen-recorded clip ignited a firestorm online, leading to a bullying investigation. KayDianna was suspended and ultimately walked away from the team. In the season finale, Chandi hobbled into her final meeting in a hip brace and delivered a tearful goodbye: 'There was a long time where I was scared to live without dance because that was my safe place.' Now retired, Chandi is focusing on healing, judging for her alma mater's Pomline team, and embracing a new chapter beyond the sidelines. Also Read:
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Where is Chandi Dayle? Seasoned Dallas Cowboys cheerleader departs following Bahamas scandal
Chandi Dayle (via Instagram) Veteran Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader member Chandi Dayle was caught in the middle of a scandal during Season 2 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on Netflix. The experienced performer and former team leader was under fire after a serious rules infraction during the team's visit to the Bahamas, ultimately resigning from leadership and eventually retiring. Chandi Dayle's Bahamas incident sparked internal fallout within Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders The Netflix docuseries' second season, released on June 18, chronicled the cheerleaders' high-pressure training camp and performances, culminating in an off-field incident involving Chandi Dayle that fractured team dynamics. At the Bahamas retreat, Chandi Dayle—a sixth-year veteran at the time and the 2024–25 team's longest-serving member—allegedly brought an unauthorized person into the private hotel space of the team, an explicit violation of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) policy. The man was not disclosed to teammates, raising genuine safety and trust concerns. What Happened to Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi? Bahamas Scandal Explained | E! News Chandi Dayle said the encounter was rooted in emotional distress. She talked to the man about personal issues and averred their encounter was just conversational. "It was probably the wrong place and time to do that, but selfishly, I had to do it for me because I feel like I was just losing it," she admitted. Later in the season, Chandi Dayle went on a leave of absence. Team head choreographer Judy Trammell said that Dayle needed to attend to her mental health, and rehearsals went on without her. Fourth-year cheerleader KayDianna Garza filled the gap as a leader for a time, although she would later complain she felt unsupported. Garza eventually left the team after a scandal broke out from a TikTok Live, where she made comments about the scandal. She was suspended after footage from the livestream spread on Reddit, which led to an internal investigation. "I needed to respect myself," Garza said regarding her departure. Who is Chandi Dayle? Before the controversy, Chandi Dayle was among the most recognizable faces of the DCC, with leadership qualities, charisma, and a long time staying on the team. In the Netflix series, glimpses of her private life were seen, some of them rooted in trauma in a previous relationship. In Season 2, Dayle talked about her ex-boyfriend Ryan, whom she had become involved with in the time of the pandemic. His complicated history with an allegedly abusive previous boyfriend became part of the emotional context that added to the mental strain on her during the season. Dayle went on to say, "If I can't even organize my life and my own thoughts, I'm not gonna be able to organize a whole team." When she came back to the squad after her leave, she chose not to return to her leadership role and described herself as relieved at the lessened pressure. Also read: 'We at War?': Cowboys linebacker Demarvion Overshown leaves fans guessing with vague social media post Chandi Dayle's retirement brings an end to an era By season's end, Chandi Dayle confirmed she would not return for another season with the DCC. The Bahamas incident is a violation of trust on the team, but the larger narrative is one of growth, pressure, and the price of leadership in high-profile positions. Stepping into her next phase, Dayle departs with a multifaceted legacy—one formed by excellence as well as by vulnerability. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders stars break silence after Bahamas drama and Chandi's shock 'rule break' in season two - as it's revealed dancers will get a '400 per cent raise'
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have broken their silence after season two wrapped up with shock scenes showing Chandi Dayle's 'rule break'. Series two of Netflix 's hit reality TV series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hit screens this week, after its debut run won over legions of fans. However, things were not always plain-sailing for the cheerleaders during their 2024 season and tensions rose during a group trip to the Bahamas. Though it was meant to be a team-building opportunity, scenes showed six-year veteran and group leader Chandi step back from the squad following the trip. It emerged that she had violated a major team rule and had invited someone to their hotel, despite their policy stating they aren't allowed to disclose their whereabouts while abroad due to safety. Following the tense scenes, some of the dancers broke their silence after the 'unfortunate' on-screen fallout, revealing where they currently stand with Chandi now. 'I think we did our best as a team to handle it professionally while still being supportive of her,' fellow group leader Jada McLean told PEOPLE. She insisted that they remain 'sisters' despite the tension and are still on good terms with Chandi - who retired after returning for the last dance of the season. 'We're not going to turn our back on her,' newly-retired Jada insisted, adding that they don't let anything divide them as a team. Meanwhile, team director Kelli Finglass told Bustle: 'She's a sweet soul, and of course, we will stay in touch with her.' Chandi started struggling with her mental health at the end of the series due to the pressures of leading as well as a break-up with her long-term boyfriend, Ryan. Earlier in the series, she also opened up about how she was allegedly stalked by another ex-boyfriend, which put strain on her everyday life and relationship with Ryan. After the difficult time, Chandi met someone during the team Bahamas trip who had been through similar things as her and she invited them to the hotel to confide in them about her struggles. She insisted nothing romantic happened between them after rumours began to swirl, but she broke a team rule by bringing the stranger to their hotel, causing tension in the group. 'It was the first time I feel like I mental dumped everything, and everything that was happening, and everything I've gone through, and everything that was making me feel and think certain things,' Chandi shared on the show. 'It helped me in the moment. And I get it, it was probably the wrong place and time to do that. But selfishly, I had to do it for me. Because I feel like I was just, I was losing it.' After taking some time away for her mental health, with tensions obvious amongst the dancers, Chandi returned for the last dance of the season without the pressures of leading. However, the situation led to a further fallout as team member KayDianna MacKenzie left the squad after being suspended for taking about the situation on a TikTok Live. Kelli insisted it was KayDianna's decision to leave the squad and she didn't return for the end of season celebrations, sharing her upset to camera about her exit. Season two also followed the cheerleaders as they attempted to get a pay rise following the success of the first Netflix series. Jada, Amanda Howard, Megan McElaney and Armani Latimer were among those who spoke to lawyers and spearheaded a campaign for the cheerleaders to be paid more. After the release of series one last year, their low salaries stirred controversy and left viewers shocked, with season two following their attempts to get a pay rise. After initially being rejected, the dancers revealed at the end of the series that they had finally secured a massive 400 per cent pay increase. 'Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,' four-year veteran Megan said on the show. 'And we ended up getting a 400 percent increase, which is like, life-changing.' The cheerleaders have been pushing for pay increases for years with the latest coming in 2019, when the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader. The franchise settlement led to the squad doubling the per-game pay, from $200 to $400. The latest raise is four times that amount. However, veterans Jada, Armani and Amanda will not see the benefits of the action as they all retired at the end of season two - leaving their successors to relish in the win. While it's understood that not all Dallas cheerleaders make the same salary, one ex-Cowboys cheerleader who exclusively spoke to the Daily Mail said she made between $15,000 and $22,000 per year while part of the DCC. Cheerleaders can also add to their pay by doing special appearances, with those rates understood to be based on tenure. Other reports, such as one from NBC Sports Boston in 2022, said that Cowboys cheerleaders earn between $15-20 per hour or $500 per game - which the publication calculated out to a healthier $75,000 yearly salary. An ESPN report from 2017 added that the average leaguewide game-rate for cheerleaders was between $75 and $150. The franchise's chief brand officer - and daughter of owner Jerry Jones - Charlotte Jones has previously admitted cheerleaders are underpaid. 'There's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot,' she said in the first season of the documentary, which shows the dedication it takes to be a Cowboys cheerleader. 'But the facts are, they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. 'They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in the field of dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being a part of something bigger than themselves,' Jones continued. 'It is about a sisterhood that they are able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their life. They have a chance to feel like they are valued, they are special, and they are making a difference. When the women come here, they find their passion and they find their purpose.' As seen on Netflix, many of the team's members have to hold second jobs to pursue their goals in dance, and spend 30 to 40 hours of their week practicing.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
What Did Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi Dayle Do? The Bahamas Incident Explained
Chandi Dayle, one of the longest-serving members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, had a challenging final season with the squad. In Season 2 of Netflix's America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the respected team leader broke a major team rule during a trip to the Bahamas and ultimately took a leave of absence. Dayle joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) in 2019 and became a prominent member of the organization over her six seasons, including being selected as a Pro Bowl cheerleader in 2024. The second installment of the docuseries touches on the veteran's journey to making the 2024–2025 squad and becoming a first-group leader. In addition to speaking on the difficulties of being a group leader, Dayle was also very open about her past abusive relationship. In Episode 6, Dayle shared that her ex-boyfriend was emotionally and physically abusive on multiple occasions. 'Things progressively got worse with him,' she said. 'We broke up and at that time, I met my boyfriend now. I started getting random messages from many different fake numbers describing exactly what my boyfriend was wearing. He was a stalker.' As she was driving to the police station, she recalled him pulling up beside her car, smashing his car door into hers and getting out to threaten her boyfriend's life. Unfortunately, she was unable to obtain protection despite filing police reports for domestic violence, harassment and stalking due to lack of evidence. Dayle's relationship with the DCC took a turn at the end of Episode 6 during the team retreat to the Bahamas. When the squad returned to Texas, Dayle was no longer serving as a leader, sparking speculation among the other cheerleaders about what had happened. Head choreographer Judy Trummel said that Chandi had to take a leave of absence from the team. In a confessional, Dayle admitted to the cameras that she had been 'struggling mentally' and had done bad things to herself before. "I can't do it anymore," she said. "Like, I was at the end of my rope, and I just wanna, like quit." On America's Sweethearts, Dayle's actions in the Bahamas came to light in Season 2, Episode 7. Fourth-year veteran KayDianna said that Chandi was doing 'little small things that were weird,' but you would "never pick up on that something big is going down." Fifth-year vet Jada McLean then explained that Chandi broke protocol in the Bahamas by bringing 'somebody' into her room that no one had known, which made some dancers fear for their safety. 'A lot of people were worried for their safety because they didn't know who this individual was. If that was me, I probably wouldn't want to be in a room with a stranger either,' McLean explained. 'To other people, it came off as, 'Oh my gosh, you put me in danger.' Or, 'You weren't worried about my safety.' But I don't think she thought of that in an almost just naïve way. She wasn't thinking about that at all. She was kind of thinking about what she needed at the time,' she continued. Chandi later addressed the incident and said she invited the person because she needed someone to talk to about the struggles going on in her life. 'When we took the trip to the Bahamas, I met someone and we shared similar things that have happened in our past. I was just like kind of crumbling down and I was like, 'Dang, I feel like I have no one here to talk to and so it's nice to have someone to confide in,'' she explained. Chandi broke DCC protocol when she brought someone the team didn't know back to the Bahamas hotel room where other members of the squad were staying. 'In our contract, it specifically even states that we are not allowed to give out information like that. Specific information like location, the hotel – that would put anyone in harm's way,' KayDianna explained in the docuseries, adding that they still didn't know who the man was and that there were a lot of unknowns. Chandi admitted she broke DCC protocol and acknowledged that the Bahamas trip was not the right setting for what happened. 'I broke a DCC rule and had time with my friend, and it was like the first time I really like mental-dumped everything… and everything that was happening and everything I've gone through and everything that was making me feel and think certain things,' she said. The former DCC cheerleader continued, 'It helped me in the moment. Like I get it – it was probably the wrong place and time to do that. But selfishly, I had to do it for me because I feel like I was just losing it." In an exclusive interview with People, McLean and fellow dancers Charly Barby, Armani Latimer and Kelly Villares said they were proud of how they handled the "unfortunate situation" with Chandi. "There are things that go on in any workplace. Situations come up, and I think the biggest thing is how you handle it," McLean said. 'I think we did our best as a team to handle it professionally while still being supportive of her.' By the end of the 2024–2025 season, Dayle returned to the team, but not as a group leader. In a confessional, she said it was 'really nice' not being a first leader anymore, after previously sharing how difficult the role had been earlier in the season. Finglass praised Dayle for doing 'a great job for the situation she's in' and said it was 'very hard' for her to watch the dancer 'go through a low point.' 'I feel very motherly to her. She needs hugs and she needs love and she needs forgiveness. We're not gonna leave any of our children out in the cold,' the DCC director added. In the finale of America's Sweethearts Season 2, Dayle shared her plans to not continue with the DCC after six years. 'I love you both so much. And I love this organization. And I appreciate you both being there for me through a lot of ups and a lot of downs,' she told her coaches. 'It was a real safe place for me. I'm excited to watch you all from the sidelines and cheer you on.' The dancer continued, 'I think this year I found who I really am. I lost it for sure, was lost in who I really was. There was a long time where I was scared to just not be without dance because that was just me and that was my safe space. But I feel good." Season 2 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix.
NBC News
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Why did Chandi Dayle leave the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders?
Season 2 of 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' is full of highs and lows for Chandi Dayle, the longest-running veteran of the iconic squad. In the sophomore season of the Netflix docuseries, Dayle lands the role of first leader for her group. Episode 6 then throws viewers for a loop as Dayle suddenly disappears from the squad. What caused the cheerleader to take a break from the group and did she ever return? We're unraveling one of Season 2's biggest mysteries, and what she's since said. Who is Chandi Dayle? Chandi Dayle, a sixth-year veteran of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) gets a lot of screen time during Season 2 of the Netflix docuseries as she tries out for and earns her spot on the 2024-2025 squad. Per her DCC bio, Dayle has multiple jobs outside of cheerleading, working as a social media marketing specialist for a pediatric dentistry practice and a licensed pharmacy technician for her family's business. She also works at a Pilates studio and performs contract work for a DCC sponsor. What does Chandi's love life have to do with anything? In Episode 6, Dayle opened up about a prior abusive relationship, explaining that her ex-boyfriend misused alcohol and became emotionally and physically abusive on multiple occasions. Dayle described her ex as a 'stalker' in the period after their breakup and said he threatened her new boyfriend. Despite her efforts to file domestic violence, harassment and stalking police reports, Dayle said she had been unsuccessful in her attempts to obtain any form of meaningful protection from her ex. The cheerleader said that her fear had taken a toll on the quality of her current relationship. Later on, Dayle announced that she and her boyfriend had broken up. Why did Chandi take a leave of absence? Episode 6 depicts the squad's trip to the Bahamas for a team retreat. By the time they returned, Dayle had taken a leave of absence. According to Trammell and Finglass, Dayle took time off to address her 'mental health.' During Dayle's absence, KayDianna MacKenzie stepped in as first leader. Speculation, meanwhile, ricocheted around the team. 'We all know something's going on and we're not getting any answers. No one's speaking about it as a whole so everything is just being whispered,' DCC squad member Jada Mclean said. Dayle then appeared and addressed what happened in a confessional interview. The cheerleader said she'd been 'struggling mentally' and has 'done bad things to myself before.' What happened in the Bahamas? Mclean ultimately summarized what happened in the Bahamas: Dayle brought 'somebody' into her room, upsetting some teammates. Other cheerleaders brought up that by doing so, Dayle broke a contractual policy. 'A lot of people were worried for their safety because they didn't know who this individual was. If that was me, I probably wouldn't want to be in a room with a stranger either,' she continued. Still, Mclean was sensitive to what Dayle was feeling in the moment. 'To other people, it came off as, 'Oh my gosh, you put me in danger.' Or, 'You weren't worried about my safety.' But I don't think she thought of that in an almost just naïve way. She wasn't thinking about that at all. She was kind of thinking about what she needed at the time,' she said. What did Chandi say about the incident? Dayle recalled breaking up with her boyfriend and spiraling emotionally afterwards. 'When we took the trip to the Bahamas, I met someone and we shared similar things that have happened in our past. I was just like kind of crumbling down and I was like, 'Dang, I feel like I have no one here to talk to and so it's nice to have someone to confide in,'' she said. Dayle admitted to breaking DCC protocol but says she was only thinking about needing a friend to listen to her, clarifying that it wasn't a hookup situation. 'It helped me in the moment. Like I get it, it was probably the wrong place and time to do that. But selfishly, I had to do it for me because I feel like I was just losing it,' she said to her friend. She said that she has 'kind of checked (herself) out' during her time away from the squad and opens up about the pressures of being in such a demanding role. 'It's really hard to have all that pressure on you all the time. I don't really know who I am. DCC's not even happy for me anymore cause I don't know myself. And I feel like I've just reached that point where I feel like I'm making mistakes in my own life. And they expect you to wake up and be perfect every day. But I can't do it anymore. I really just wanted to dance and be happy and I just haven't been,' she said. What happened when Chandi returned to the DCC squad? Just in time for the end of the season, Dayle returned to the squad — but not as a team leader. She was met with mixed reactions. 'It affected some people more than others, but the way that those people didn't feel like they were being heard then affected the group more because a lot of people have kind of walked away from her. And that's not something you want, especially on a team this big,' Mclean said in a confessional interview. While opening up about her return to the team, Dayle said it was 'really nice' not being a first leader anymore. 'Now I don't have to think about what I'm doing or what I'm calling or anything like that,' she said. Mclean offered support for her teammate in an interview, saying, 'We've all done things that we shouldn't have done or been in situations that we shouldn't have been in. There's no time to sit and dwell in the past. We can sit here in this or we can move forward.' Finglass applauded Dayle for doing 'a great job for the situation she's in' and acknowledged that it was 'very hard' for her to watch the cheerleader 'go through a low point.' 'I feel very motherly to her. She needs hugs and she needs love and she needs forgiveness. We're not gonna leave any of our children out in the cold,' she said. Is Chandi still with the DCC? Dayle has opted to move on from the squad. 'I think this year I found who I really am. I lost it for sure, was lost in who I really was, There was a long time where I was scared to just not be without dance because that was just me and that was my safe space. But I feel good,' she said while talking with her coaches about her decision. Finglass said it would be a 'huge transition' without Dayle on the squad but wished her well. Wait, what happened to KayDianna? Remember when KayDianna MacKenzie stepped in for Chandi during her leave of absence? The season finale revealed she's no longer a member of the team. Finglass called the decision MacKenzie's 'choice' and said it resulted from 'one conversation of honest feedback.' Meanwhile, MacKenzie shared her own version of the story in a confessional interview. 'Bahamas happened. I stepped into leadership. I definitely didn't feel supported. I felt like I was just a body. It was as if Chandi got the perks of being a first leader and I got the responsibility part of it,' she said. The cheerleader went on to say she and her teammates were 'confused' and didn't know 'what was going to happen' next. Then, one day, MacKenzie's was on TikTok Live and some of her followers started asking about the Bahamas incident. Although she didn't name Dayle directly, MacKenzie did say she'd record a video one day to explain what happened. 'Of course someone screen-recorded it and put it on Reddit. They blew it up. I didn't even talk about Chandi, never said Chandi's name. And then I got a call from staff. They said that I was under investigation for being a bully and harassing and I was officially suspended at that point,' she said. At that point, MacKenzie's decided to step away from the organization and 'respect' herself. Still, she said having to miss the squad banquet was a letdown. 'Even though it was a tough year, I still wanted to be there for my rookies. I still wanted to celebrate this year,' she said.
