Aussie Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Faith Ward reveals emotional prank on her mother after landing a spot in iconic team
The former Perth-based dancer is just one of six rookies to make the squad, joining the world-famous cheerleading squad of just 36 in the upcoming season of the US National Football League (NFL).
Ward, 22, joined Sunrise for her first TV interview since the news broke on Monday, as she explained the emotional way she told her mother she had been chosen for the side.
'I rang my mum and tried to prank her,' Ward began.
Ward said her mother attempted to soothe her disappointment, after hearing the fake news.
'I called her and said, 'mum, it wasn't my day.' Bless her cotton socks, she said, 'you know what Faith (it's ok)' then I showed her the uniform (and she freaked out).'
An upbeat Ward previously worked on a cruise ship before being recruited for the cheer squad. Fresh from being presented with the uniform, she admitted the news still hasn't sunk in yet.
'It was all the hard work over the years,' Ward said.
'I am getting emotional because it feels like everything, I worked towards paid off. That feeling will never compare. Seriously, it was the most heartwarming, surreal feeling. I am so beyond incredibly grateful.
'Seeing the uniform in my hands knowing I am going to join most iconic team in the world was just like, 'someone wake me up from this dream'. I couldn't believe it. That's why as you can see in that photo, I am just as shocked as you guys are.'
Ward displayed a huge amount of humility as she explained there aren't a lot of jobs for dancers, so she felt this was a huge moment for her and the hard work she has done.
'Growing up, I was an all-star cheerleader, professional dancer, worked my whole life towards achieving a goal,' Ward said.
'Obviously in the dance industry there's only so many jobs. In my brain I was like 'I'm reaching for the stars, I want to go for DCC'.
'When I got recruited, (I was) reached out (to) by one of the staff members, and I thought this is the time to take my chance and reach for the stars and go for my dreams.
'That's why I applied.'
Ward, who has gained the nickname 'Flexi Faith' for her incredible flexibility, just finished at training camp.
She confessed she is yet to do the jump splits in a routine, saying she was anxiously awaiting it.
'I'm like, 'when are we doing it?' I'm so for it.
'(When I do it, I'll be thinking) oh my goodness, I have down one of the most iconic routines.
'Get the legs up, get the split and nail it. That's what will be going through my head.'
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders just got a 400 per cent increase in pay, due to the popularity of their Netflix show titled America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Ward said she was ready for the crazy adventure that will be being on the team.
'This is the smallest class of rookies,' she said.
'To have made the team and being (only one of) six people only out of thousands of girls that applied it is a dream come true.
'I felt it was rewarding for my family and friends to have seen that.
'They have seen that side of me to how hard I have worked to get to where I am.
'It felt like they were winning with me, and they were just as excited.'
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