Latest news with #DallasCowboysCheerleader
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Perth dancer explains why she's the first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader to wear a ponytail after copping wild backlash for 'Aussie Coded' look
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Faith Ward has responded to backlash about her hair after one detail set the internet alight. The 22-year-old, who was born in New Zealand but grew up in Western Australia, has become the first Kiwi to make the crew. Faith shared a social media post to celebrate the news on Sunday, proudly holding up her fresh DCC uniform with her blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail. As hundreds of well-wishers and teammates flooded the comments section, Faith's hairstyle prompted a massive response from fans of the team. 'Congrats! But wondering why do you wear your hair in a ponytail, not down like everyone else?' one social media user asked. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Is no one inquiring about the ponytail moment?!?!?' a second fan commented. 'It looks weird that she's the only one with a ponytail,' another said. 'We all want to know about the ponytail please,' yet another wrote, with one viewer requesting the 'backstory.' 'Does anyone know if they made an exception with her hair? DCC has strict hair regulations,' another pointed out. One supporter even remarked that Faith's slick-back hair was 'so Aussie coded.' Faith was named as one of just six rookies to join the cheerleading team of 36 to perform during the upcoming season of the NFL. She stars in series two of Netflix 's hit reality TV series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which hit screens on June 20 after its debut run won over legions of fans. To make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, all rookies must undergo makeovers during training camp, which can involve dramatic changes to their hair, makeup, and sometimes even teeth to help them achieve the 'DCC look '. These makeovers are a crucial part of assessing a candidate's potential and ensuring they meet the team's strict aesthetic standards. Back in 2016, DCC director Kelli Finglass told People that all cheerleaders 'wear their hair down, even in rehearsal.' 'It's about the girls being as glamorous as they can,' she said, adding that a 'DCC hairstyle' absolutely must 'dance well'. Faith confirmed she is the first DCC to be allowed an up-do in an interview with ABC Perth on Monday. 'It's crazy because obviously the DCC hairstyle is out, fluffy, voluminous, luscious, long locks. I've broken that stereotype,' she said. Strangely enough, it was a rehearsal to Thunderstruck by Australian rock legends AC/DC that Kelli suggested Faith put her hair up. 'So, I'm in rehearsal one of the days with my hair out and I am, you know, sweating after doing "Thunderstruck",' she explained. 'She's looking at me and she's like, "You know what? I really want to see what your hair would look like tied up".' Faith did as she was told and the departure from team regulation made her a standout. 'I go into uniform fittings and keep my hair up in hopes that she would like it still, and I walk in and she goes, "You're giving Ariana Grande! Like, we need an Ariana Grande moment on the team",' she said. 'I said, are you serious right now, Kelli? This is so exciting!' The famously strict director told the Aussie newcomer: 'Yeah, but I want your ponytail longer, I want it blonder and then I want to see a cameo day where I prefer you be with your hair out.' Faith said the reason she hasn't addressed online speculation is because she's awaiting Kelli's final verdict on her look. 'But right now, it's looking very hopeful that I will be a DCC with a ponytail,' she enthused. In her Instagram post, Faith said making the team was, 'The best day of my life.' 'This journey has been incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally, but I wouldn't change a thing,' she wrote. 'I've been pushed in ways I never imagined, I've learned and grown so much already.' Faith started dancing professionally at 18 on cruise ships, but now will perform in front of much larger crowds, with at least 90,000 people attending Cowboys games
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Guilt, ambition and a ponytail: Australian dancer makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader squad
Faith Ward describes the ultra-competitive journey of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader as a cocktail of hard work, determination and, at times, guilt. Before being handed her pair of white boots and star-embroidered vest for a spot in one of the world's most coveted cheerleading squads, the 22-year-old from Perth was booking dance gigs on cruise ships. Speaking from her new bedroom in Dallas, Ward recalls watching the first season of Netflix's docuseries America's Sweethearts from a cruise bunk bed, dreaming about one day being part of the squad. 'I don't think I will ever fully process the fact that I'm a DCC. It feels like a dream, and I'm still waiting to wake up from it,' Ward told this masthead. Thousands auditioned for one of six rookie spots offered this year – the smallest intake in history, according to Ward, who was born in New Zealand but raised in Western Australia. She becomes the third Australian and first New Zealander to do so. After auditioning, Ward battled through a gruelling training camp, watching new friends – who had trained their whole lives for a spot in the squad – get sent home each day. 'I almost felt like, do I belong in this position?' she said. 'Because this has been just as much my dream as it probably was theirs, but they have thought about this since the day they could walk.' 'Some of these girls would give their right arm to be here. So would I – I have worked just as hard … even though from the get-go, it wasn't like 'I want to be a DCC'. I wanted to make it in the dance world and do something that makes me happy. This happened to be it.
The Age
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Guilt, ambition and a ponytail: Australian dancer makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader squad
Faith Ward describes the ultra-competitive journey of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader as a cocktail of hard work, determination and, at times, guilt. Before being handed her pair of white boots and star-embroidered vest for a spot in one of the world's most coveted cheerleading squads, the 22-year-old from Perth was booking dance gigs on cruise ships. Speaking from her new bedroom in Dallas, Ward recalls watching the first season of Netflix's docuseries America's Sweethearts from a cruise bunk bed, dreaming about one day being part of the squad. 'I don't think I will ever fully process the fact that I'm a DCC. It feels like a dream, and I'm still waiting to wake up from it,' Ward told this masthead. Thousands auditioned for one of six rookie spots offered this year – the smallest intake in history, according to Ward, who was born in New Zealand but raised in Western Australia. She becomes the third Australian and first New Zealander to do so. After auditioning, Ward battled through a gruelling training camp, watching new friends – who had trained their whole lives for a spot in the squad – get sent home each day. 'I almost felt like, do I belong in this position?' she said. 'Because this has been just as much my dream as it probably was theirs, but they have thought about this since the day they could walk.' 'Some of these girls would give their right arm to be here. So would I – I have worked just as hard … even though from the get-go, it wasn't like 'I want to be a DCC'. I wanted to make it in the dance world and do something that makes me happy. This happened to be it.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Perth dancer Faith Ward makes history after landing job with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Perth dancer Faith Ward is on top of the world after landing a 'dream job' on the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader roster. Ward was named as one of six rookies to join the cheerleading team of 36 to perform during the upcoming season of the NFL. The 22-year-old, who was born in New Zealand but grew up in Western Australia, becomes the first Kiwi to make the crew - and third Aussie. The double-jointed dancer who features on the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts announced the news to her social media followers on July 17 with a heartwarming video. 'Telling people I got my dream job,' she captioned the clip, which displayed the reactions of her friends. 'The best day of my life,' she added. Ward, who was born in New Zealand but grew up in Western Australia, is the first Kiwi to made the famous squad In another post, she wrote: 'This journey has been incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally, but I wouldn't change a thing. 'I've been pushed in ways I never imagined, I've learned and grown so much already. 'I'm excited to see where this wild ride takes me. I feel so privileged to stand alongside not only the most talented dancers but also some of the most amazing women I've ever met.' 'I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the Cowboys Organisation for believing in me and giving me this life-changing opportunity. It is truly an honour. 'To my family, friends, coaches, and mentors who have been by my side throughout this entire journey, thank you will never be enough. 'I wouldn't be where I am today without you.' Ward started dancing professionally at 18 on cruise ships, but now will be in front of a lot more people with at least 90,000 people attending Cowboys games. The cheerleading squad has recently gained massive popularity thanks to the docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. After progressing through trials earlier in the year, the dancer said, 'no matter the outcome, it'll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible.'
7NEWS
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Perth dancer Faith Ward lands ‘dream job' with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Perth dancer, acrobat and model Faith Ward is the envy of cheerleaders around the world after securing her position on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader roster. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are world famous and the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts, which features the auditioning process and goes behind the scenes of the squad for an entire NFL season, is a global sensation. The dance troop is particularly famous for its showstopping, high-octane routine to AC/DC's Thunderstruck. The double-jointed Ward — who hails from New Zealand but moved to Australia when she was 10 — has been part of the brutal auditioning steps and yesterday revealed that she was one of six rookies that will join the team of 36. After she was presented with her iconic blue crop top, Ward then proceeded to tell her friends and family who were all blown away by the news. Loading Instagram Post 'Telling people I got my dream job,' was the caption on Ward's video, which showed the reactions of her overwhelmed friend. 'The best day of my life 😭😭,' she added. Ward, who has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, competed against thousands of aspiring cheerleaders that were vying for just six spots on the 36-woman squad, after she successfully made it through a rigorous application process. It began with the wide-eyed dancer sending through dance photos and videos, with each applicant required to learn specific choreography in their auditions before being invited to Texas. After making it through the first trials in June, Ward said, 'no matter the outcome, it'll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible.' Now the hard work has paid off ... fulfilling 'long-term dream' after reaching the pinnacle of the cheerleading world. Born with double-jointed hips, Ward began working as a professional dancer at 18, performing on cruise ships — but now she will be on the big stage, in front of more than 90,000 people every game. The cheerleaders that are affectionately called 'America's Sweethearts', support the American Football team the Dallas Cowboys, undoubtedly the biggest sports franchise in the world. Despite the national pride the group carry for America, Ward isn't the first from Down Under to don the Lone Star — with the past DCC alumni including Aussies Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther. The hard work for Ward has only just begun, as members of the squad are required to put in hours equivalent to that of a full-time job — but she comes in at a golden time after the squad received a significant pay rise this off season. Following heavy public scrutiny, the Cowboys franchise — which is worth more than $15b — has given the cheerleaders a 400 per cent pay rise, meaning Ward will pocket a salary of around $77,000. But many argue the cheerleaders deserve more considering the time and effort they put in to keep up with the physical requirements of the role. As the football team enters training camp, the cheerleaders will be entering their own with the first home preseason game for the Cowboys scheduled for August 17, before their season officially kicks off at their home turf in Arlington, Texas on September 15.
