Latest news with #JudyTrammell
ABC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Perth dancer Faith Ward makes world-famous Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad after 'cutthroat and brutal' selection process
Perth dancer Faith Ward says she is "super excited and grateful" after making the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad. Born in New Zealand and raised in Western Australia, the 22-year-old is the first New Zealander and the third Australian to make the prestigious team for the NFL franchise. She competed against thousands of cheerleaders for one of just six rookie spots on the 36-member cheerleading squad this NFL season. "I thought, this is my time to reach for my dreams," she told ABC News Breakfast. The US cheerleaders have attracted huge global fame in recent years through wildly popular Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts. The two seasons of the TV series tracked the gruelling selection and training processes for the official cheer squad of the world's biggest sports franchise. Ward tried out for the team after a recruiter messaged her on Instagram. "I was like, 'This is a fake account, this is a drill, there's no way this is happening'," she said. "And [the recruiter] was like, 'No, we're looking for international candidates'." The gruelling audition process sees veterans compete each year against rookie candidates to retain their spot. "I think those athletes are hands-down some of the most hard-working people I've ever seen," Ward said. While the Wellington-born dancer acknowledged it was a "cutthroat" and "brutal" process, she said the team's director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell had "warm hearts". "They're really just wanting to see the best potential of you," she said. "It's a hard industry to make it in and everyone wants to do it, so you've just got to push through." Ward said just qualifying for the finals was more than she had ever dreamed of, adding she "couldn't believe it" when she discovered she'd made the team. "I was waiting for someone to wake me up from my dream," she said. Now the final team has been selected, preparations begin for the NFL regular season, which kicks off in September. This includes meticulous practice of DCC's most famous dance to AC/DC's Thunderstruck, which they will perform in front of 90,000 eager fans at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys' home ground. "It is going to be so iconic and so surreal to be representing Australia and New Zealand," Ward said. "It's going to make it feel like all those late nights of dance practice and training and hours I've put into my profession has paid off."
Cosmopolitan
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Is America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3 happening? From cast to suspected release date
If, like us, you've already finished America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season two, then you're probably wondering if and when the third season will be on Netflix to fill that Thunderstruck-shaped hole in your life. Given the success of seasons one and two of the show, which were released on 20 June 2024 and 18 June 2025 respectively, fans have got their fingers crossed that a third season will be on its way. Although, Netflix is yet to confirm (or deny) anything about the fate of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Regardless of that, our excitement levels for a third season are so high that we've scoured the internet to find everything we know about a possible third instalment. From cast to suspected release date, here's everything we know about America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season three... As mentioned, there's been no confirmation from Netflix on a third season of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but the team has already been posting a lot on their socials about the audition process for the coming year. That's because what we've seen on season two happened last year so, if Netflix does film a series three, it'll follow those currently competing in the audition and training camp process. If America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders does get renewed for a third season, there will be some familiar faces we can count on seeing, including DCC director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. There may be a celebrity star too, if the group's Instagram is anything to go by – as singer, songwriter, and musician Kacey Musgraves has been involved in the training camp process as a guest judge. In terms of who will (or won't) make the cheerleading team in season three, there's been some spoilers shared on social media which point to who we can expect to see. On the official DCC Instagram, zooming into the above training camp post gives us a good idea of the returning cast who have made it through to this round, while a post about the 'rookies' of the season introduces us to newer faces. As well as the veterans who retired at the end of season two (those being Chandi, Jada, Armani, Zoe, and Amanda), some other cast mates are missing from the promo shot above. While we know that fan-favourite Dayton auditioned again this season, given that she's missing from the training camp image, we can assume she was cut. Taking to social media to comment on a fan's post about just that, she commented: "It wasn't in the cards for me, but I'm proud of how much I've grown. I feel it's important to note I did EVERYTHING they asked of me and tried my absolute best to fit their mould. I'm not wanted there and I'm hoping this takes me to where I truly belong!" Again, there's been no confirmation that an America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season three is definitely happening but, if it does, we guess it'll be released in June 2026, based on the release pattern of seasons one and two. Until then, we'll be busy rewatching both seasons, catching old episodes of Making The Team, and following all the cast members on social media. Stream all episodes of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders seasons one and two on Netflix now.
Cosmopolitan
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The cast of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders now: Six months after filming, here's what they've been up to
Season 2 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix, offering fans an inside look as DCC Senior Director Kelli Finglass and Head Choreographer Judy Trammell assemble another elite team of talented athletes. The episodes picked up just before the final round of auditions for the 2024–2025 squad and followed the chosen candidates through training camp, emotional cuts, the official team reveal, and into the heart of the NFL season. The NFL season wrapped up in January 2025, meaning some time has passed since filming ended. From DCC Senior Director Kelli Finglass to the veterans, rookies and some of our fave alums, here's what the squad are up to now. Kelli Finglass, a former DCC from 1984 to 1989, became director in 1991 and transformed the squad into a global brand. Known for her high standards and no-nonsense leadership, Finglass expected nothing less than excellence from every cheerleader this season. Since filming ended for the second season, Kelli has been spending time with family. She posted a picture from her son Ryan's 31 mile marathon run, writing: "A regular marathon wasn't enough… first Ultra Marathon in the books! ✅ Proud of @ryan_finglass #31Miles #LegsOfSteel." She also appeared on Beavers Wealth Management podcast alongside Ryan for a Mother's Day special episode, and responded to rumours she'd had a face lift in a video posted to her Instagram. Judy Trammell, a DCC alum from 1980 to 1984, became head choreographer in 1991 and has led the squad's iconic routines for over four decades. In March, she announced she's expecting her fifth grandchild sharing a picture of her son and his partner at their baby gender reveal. A month later, she celebrated her first born's birthday, sharing a throw back snap on her grid. Before joining the DCC in 2022, Amanda danced for the Golden State Warriors and overcame a training camp cut with determination and grit. Since filming, Amanda has been travelling the world with her husband Ralph. They've been everywhere from Switzerland to Lake Como and have been sharing lots of scenic photos on their Instagram accounts. In May, she attended Dallas Cowboys 2020-2024 cheerleader Jessica Bowman's (now Lanham) wedding. Alongside a picture of her and Ralph, she wrote: "The best night celebrating the @jbo97 and @lanham5 🥹 isn't the bride just perfection? Wow!" Once known as Caroline's little sister, Anna Kate stepped into her own as a seasoned DCC member after a strong rookie year. She turned 25 in June and was surprised with a party from her boyfriend Michael Snyder. As well as turning a year older, Anna has been travelling and doing press for the show, recently travelling to New York along with the rest of the squad. Armani has been booked and busy since filming, working with several brands including Vaseline and Shea Moisture. She's also been doing a bit of travelling, and attended Jessica Bowman's hen weekend in Cabo, Mexico. She moved home in May and shared the process to her 67,000 followers. The longest running veteran to try out for the year, Chandi has been keeping busy since season two ended. She recently had a little hair makeover, dying her dark locks honey brown. She attended the baby shower of Dallas Cowboys 2020-2024 cheerleader Mckenzie in February. After making the team last year, Reece returned as a veteran for season two, now happily married to her college sweetheart and first ever boyfriend, Will. She celebrated her one-year anniversary in April, sharing a picture from her wedding day with a sweet message. "I'm so thankful God placed you in my life and to have been a part of an incredible vendor team to document your beginnings as husband and wife" she wrote."It's been such an honor to watch your journey and all the amazing things God is doing through you both." The same month, she sat down with Will to talk to Valley View Baptist Church youth. A fan-favorite rookie candidate last season, Charly was the 2023-2024 squad's very last cut. Since filming, she's been doing a bit of travelling, as well as spending time with fellow rookies Ariel and Ava. One of the breakout stars of season one, Kelcey spent five seasons with the squad from 2019-2024. Following her retirement from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2024, Kelcey shifted her focus to her full-time career as a pediatric nurse. She also got engaged - and later married - to Nate Crnkovich. Although she's stepped away from the spotlight of professional cheerleading, she continues to stay involved in the dance and wellness world and she's still very close to the team, recently attending Jessica's wedding. Kalina joined the DCC in 2019 and became a four‑year veteran. After taking a break, Victoria relocated to New York to chase her dream of joining the Rockettes, and now shares her life through fitness, dance, and mental‑health advocacy. She regularly posts videos of her choreography on Instagram and recently shared a video of her last dance for DCC to promote the second season. America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheeleaders season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
UPI
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Cheerleaders face audition stress in 'America's Sweethearts' Season 2
Season 2 of "America's Sweethearts" arrives on Netflix June 18. Photo courtesy of Netflix June 4 (UPI) -- Netflix is previewing Season 2 of the docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premieres on the streamer June 18. In the trailer released Wednesday, the cheerleaders anticipate the results of a competitive audition process. "You're like 'when we make this team, we're gonna make it together 'cause we're friends,'" a hopeful says as the girls laugh and eat pizza together. "But then it doesn't always end up like that." The sophomore season will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the cheerleading squad during the 2024-2025 NFL football season, beginning with tryouts. "DCC (Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders) is the pinnacle of professional cheerleading, and Kelli Finglass, the team director, and Judy Trammell, the head choreographer, have returned to find the 36 best dancers from this smiling army of hopefuls," the official synopsis reads. Greg Whitely (Cheer) directs Season 2, which arrives roughly a year after the docuseries premiered.
