Latest news with #AmericasSweethearts
Cosmopolitan
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: How are the judges chosen for the audition process?
We are deep in our bingewatching hole of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, after the second season dropped on Netflix last week. And though we're racing through the episodes, there's still one question that's burning a hole in our brains from the first episode. Just how are the judges chosen for the audition panel? The start of each season of America's Sweethearts shows the hopeful candidates for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) do solo auditions of a dance routine in front of their fellow competitors and a panel of judges. Even those who have previously been on the team must audition and then after this they will decide which of the girls will head onto training camp, which is still not a guarantee of a position. So therefore you really want to impress at this initial audition. However, amongst the lineup of judges, which includes people from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, former team members and representation from the Dallas Cowboys football team, there's also a variety of rather surprising judges including a hairdresser, meteorologist, boot manufacturer, wellness and lifestyle thought leader and in the case of this year's auditions country singer Kacey Musgrave. And now two years into watching the show, viewers are a little confused over certain members of the judging panel and asking why they're included. One person on X wrote: "DCC can't get some better judges than an weatherman, pastor and boot designer??? Like were are the dance teachers, coaches hell I'll even take pageant coaches!!!" While another said: "This panel of judges is beyond awful, BC WHY TF IS A MFN METEOROLOGIST JUDGING MY DANCING." And another added: "I am starting s2 of #AmericasSweethearts the randomness of the judges making me laugh again. the WEATHER GUY." So how and why are the seemingly random panel of judges chosen? Well if you cast your mind back to the very first episode of the show, the director of the DCC, Kelli Finglass actually explained the thinking behind the judging choices. She said: "I try to have the most diverse panel of judges, that can help us seek out the best teammates that we can with this job, that is so much more than a dance solo. We have judges that are members of our local media. We have hair professionals, makeup, of course dance professionals." During that first episode in 2024, Kelli spoke about one cooking influencer, Kevin Curry who was labelled as a 'wellness and lifestyle thought leader' and was part of the judging panel. Even Kelli did admit she didn't know what his job was. So why was he employed? Well she said Kevin has a "larger than life glow about him" and the judges as a collective "can recognise those 'it' qualities" which is why a variety of them are picked. Over on Reddit, many fans have taken to the forum to discuss the surprising choices, with many defending the variety of people involved in the decision. One user who said they had previously auditioned for the NBA and NFL explained: "the job is more than just cheerleading. It's making appearances and being able to to speak to journalists, the general public, etc. They also do TV shows, modelling, etc. They look for people who can gauge their appearance, appeal and personalities for other venues." As for the meteorologist Scott Padgett, well it turns out he actually has a dance background and competed in ballroom dancing while he was younger. He was also part of the cheer team while at Western Illinois University. Oh and he was captain too. Guess that answers that question then. America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available on Netflix now
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders salary: How much are dancers paid?
FOLLOWING years of controversy, the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders secured a historic pay rise in 2025. Netflix's America's Sweethearts revealed the world's wealthiest sports franchise paid their dedicated team of dancers inadequately, but thankfully they have secured a 400 per cent pay rise. 3 3 3 In June 2025, it was announced on Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders that the squad would receive a 400 per cent pay increase for the 2025 NFL season. This marks a significant shift from previous years, when their pay was widely criticized as inadequate given the demanding nature and visibility of their role. During the show's first series, Charlotte Jones — daughter of franchise owner Jerry Jones — admitted their was an issue with their pay, saying: "There's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot." Previously, the squad was paid $400 per game — a figure that itself was the result of a 2019 settlement that doubled their earlier $200 per game rate. And now the Cowboys have reportedly multiplied the squad's pay by four, which would take it up to somewhere in the region of $1,600. When season two of America's Sweethearts dropped on June 18, 2025, one of the Cowboy's cheerleaders revealed that the franchise had finally addressed this issue. Megan McElaney said: "We ended up getting a 400 per cent increase, which is like, life-changing.' She said they would now earn around $75 per hour, compared to about $15 per hour from the previous season for most cheerleaders. And former Cowboys dancer Jada McLean added: "Happy isn't even the right word for it. "I think I was just ... a relief, like everything had paid off... Finally, we were done fighting." Former Cowboys cheerleader Jada reportedly earned between $15,000 and $22,000 annually during her time with the squad, a figure that includes game-day pay, rehearsals and paid appearances. She also told the New York Times that the new contract does not include health insurance. Cheerleaders typically spend 30 to 40 hours per week on training, performances, and preparations, and many still work additional jobs to make ends meet. The pay raise comes after years of internal discussions, media coverage, and legal action. In 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit alleging unfair pay practices, claiming she earned about $7 an hour plus a flat $200 per game. The lawsuit was settled in 2019, doubling the per-game rate at the time. Although the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, topping Forbes' sporting wealth list with a valuation of $10.1billion, their cheerleaders' pay has historically lagged behind the team's financial stature. The recent raise is seen by many as long-overdue, bringing the cheerleaders' pay more in line with the squad's prominence, commitment and workload.
CBC
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' 400% raise is a reminder of how little female athletes get paid
If you're among the millions who have been riveted by America's Sweethearts, Netflix's docuseries about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, then you already know that the 36 women who make the squad are nothing less than pro athletes. Most come from studio-trained dance backgrounds. They endure gruelling training programs and have to meet intense physical demands — their trademark kick-line and jump-split move is so punishing that some of them have torn their hips to the point of needing surgery. From July to the end of the Cowboys season, they rehearse three to four times per week for two to three hours at a time, and perform at all home games. Practices alone can be a 40-hour-per week commitment, notes People magazine, and that doesn't include their promotional appearances. And for all this, until recently, they were reportedly not paid enough to support themselves. As the cheerleaders on the show themselves have pointed out, many of them work second or even third jobs. Now, the second season of America's Sweethearts has dropped, alongside a significant announcement: a 400 per cent pay increase. "Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise," four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on the show, calling the increase "life-changing." The show didn't disclose what the cheerleaders had earned before the pay raise, or what their compensation would look like after it. But former cheerleader Jada McLean told the New York Times Wednesday she used to make $15 US per hour as a five-year veteran on the squad, and with the pay bump, it could be more like $75 US per hour. While many have been shocked to learn how little NFL cheerleaders are paid, it fits into the overall narrative of the gender pay gap in women's sport, said Cheri Bradish, the director of the Future of Sport Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. "There are inequities for women in sport in all kinds of roles, not just cheerleading," Bradish told CBC News. "Their journey is very similar to what we have seen with other leagues and teams who are struggling to get the respect of having broader and more respected pay in general." 'A volunteer position' Being a cheerleader is a significant commitment that demands a high level of athleticism, dedication and professionalism, said Raeanne Milovanovic, co-founder and vice-president of the Canadian Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization. Compensation varies by team and has "historically been a topic of discussion," Milovanovic said. Stipends typically don't work out to minimum wage, she said, but there are other perks and promotional opportunities — and for many, it's more about the experience. "For many, it's a volunteer position," she said. CFL cheerleaders typically don't receive a regular fixed wage, but instead receive per-game payments of about $50 US to $100 US per game, according to the CFL News Hub. Salary discrepancies are gaining more attention as female sport experiences a massive rise in popularity. Superstars like the WNBA's Caitlin Clark, U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, rugby player Ilona Maher, and Canadian record-smashing swimmer Summer McIntosh have helped attract more eyeballs on events, as has the emergence of new female professional hockey and soccer leagues. Paycheques, however, have not kept pace. Paige Bueckers, for instance, the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick, is projected to earn just $78,831 US for her rookie year — about $109,480 Cdn, or less than the real median household income in the States. Players in the Professional Women's Hockey League can earn as little as $35,000 US per year. In March, a FIFA report on women's soccer found that the average salary for top-tier teams was $24,030 US globally, less than a living wage in many places. And despite 2024 seeing a surge of viral female athletes, not one woman made the top 100 list of highest-paid athletes worldwide last year. WATCH | The PWHL on its latest expansion: 'You have to see it to be it:' PWHL's executive VP says on latest expansion | Hanomansing Tonight 2 months ago Duration 5:48 The Professional Women's Hockey League will expand to Vancouver and begin play next season, the league announced on Wednesday. Jayna Hefford, OIympic gold medalist and executive vice president of hockey operations at PWHL, says Vancouver was 'a standout' opportunity to grow the league. The battle for pay The Dallas cheerleaders have been pushing for pay increases for years, part of an overall NFL cheerleader battle for minimum wage. In 2017, a federal judge tossed out a lawsuit accusing the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders. In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader that led to the squad doubling the per-game pay, from $200 US to $400 US. The latest raise is four times that. "'Happy' isn't even the right word for it," former cheerleader Jada McLean said on the show. "I think I was just ... kind of felt, like, a relief, like everything had paid off. And it was, you know, finally, we were done fighting." Robyn Pineault, 42, cheered for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts in the early 2000s. On top of practices and public appearances, Pineault says she would dance the entire game on the sidelines, plus the halftime shows and shows between each quarter, all of which was physically demanding and time consuming. Pineault, who now lives in Ottawa, says she's proud of the Dallas cheerleaders for pushing for a pay raise. "They have the epitome of brand awareness in the industry. Every single cheerleader looks up to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders," she said. "So to see them get a wage increase and actually be paid what they are worth, not just be given the opportunity to dance and have that career but also get fair pay, is a really great story for dancers everywhere."
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Secret at the heart of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders that's tearing world's richest sports team apart
The second season of 'America's Sweethearts' has been released on Netflix, with the streamer once again providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But for all of the recognition that being a Cowboys cheerleader brings, members of the NFL squad's famed cheerleading are not exactly rich. 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. 'America's Sweethearts' details the grueling commitment of being a Cowboys cheerleader Thus, while there may be a large range in the pay of Cowboys cheerleaders, they generally make more than their counterparts around the NFL. The issue of cheerleaders' pay has come to the forefront in recent years, with a former DCC actually filing a lawsuit in 2017. As a result of that litigation, pay for Cowboys cheerleaders was increased from $8 an hour to $12, with their game-day fee was doubled from $200 to $400. Still, 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 in 'America's Sweethearts', 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. There are also strict rules that cheerleaders have to follow when it comes to their appearance, including how their hair and makeup is done. Ultimately, however, there are positives to being a Cowboys cheerleader as well.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How much do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make? Full salary details revealed as new Netflix season drops
The second season of 'America's Sweethearts' has been released on Netflix, with the streamer once again providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But for all of the recognition that being a Cowboys cheerleader brings, members of the NFL squad's famed cheerleading are not exactly rich. 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. 'America's Sweethearts' details the grueling commitment of being a Cowboys cheerleader Thus, while there may be a large range in the pay of Cowboys cheerleaders, they generally make more than their counterparts around the NFL. The issue of cheerleaders' pay has come to the forefront in recent years, with a former DCC actually filing a lawsuit in 2017. As a result of that litigation, pay for Cowboys cheerleaders was increased from $8 an hour to $12, with their game-day fee was doubled from $200 to $400. Still, 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 in 'America's Sweethearts', 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. There are also strict rules that cheerleaders have to follow when it comes to their appearance, including how their hair and makeup is done. Ultimately, however, there are positives to being a Cowboys cheerleader as well.
