Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team is an American reality television series that aired on CMT from September 29, 2006, to November 27, 2021. The series follows the auditioning process and the forming of the Dallas Cowboys' annual Cheerleading squad. The series features director Kelli McGonagill Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell.
In April 2022, it was reported that CMT canceled the series after 16 seasons. A successor series, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was ordered by Netflix and premiered on June 20, 2024.
Summary
The show tracks the progression of women who are in the audition process of trying to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. The show begins at Texas Stadium (Seasons 1–3), then moves with the team to AT&T Stadium in subsequent seasons: first the open audition "cattle call", then the five-person audition "cut-down", followed by personal interviews, uniform fittings, BMI testing, physical fitness testing, etiquette training, mock media interviews, and calendar shoots. Successful candidates must also complete a knowledge test on various subjects including, but not limited to: the Dallas Cowboys and their history, NFL Football in general and the rules of the game, general history, government, and current events.
There is also the dance choreography that tests each woman's capacity to grasp dance combinations and perform the trademark kick-line/jump-split routine for which the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is known.
Women are judged by a hand-picked panel of experts, and scoring is based on physical appearance, physical fitness, dance style, poise, grace, intelligence, and showmanship.
Once training camp opens, the women are put through a program of elite dance training and physical conditioning that is comparable to some professional sports training programs. If a contestant is struggling, she is called into Finglass' office to discuss the nature of her difficulty and is generally given an opportunity to correct the shortcoming(s) to avoid being dismissed ("cut") from the squad.
Due to Covid protocols, auditions went virtual in 2020, and have remained so through 2021, with finals held in-person.
Cast Note: Cheerleaders in bold indicate legacy cheerleaders (i.e. mother was previously a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). Cheerleaders in italics indicate (first) group leaders.
2021 season (Season 16) 2021–22 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / Awards Show Group Jessica Bowman Elli DiGiovanni Chandi Dayle Ashlee Ford Marissa Garrison Taylor Johnson Darian Lassiter Armani Latimer Gina Ligi Dani McGinnis Jada McLean
Amber McMillan Madeline Molloy Kat Puryear Erin Sauerhage McKenzie Sherman Jalyn Stough Lexie Sullivan Caroline Sundvold Kristin Dodd Kelcey Wetterberg Claire Wolford Rachel Wyatt KayDianna Davis Amber Laiche Ashlinn Maze Megan McElaney Jensen Merrill Tyra Thompson Kelee Norris Christina Ostovich Kleine Powell Madeline Salter Tori Skillings Rebecca Troyak Lea Tunnell Rachel Alexander Briana Baisden Amanda Dilks Tess Guidry Sydney Hawthorne Savannah Heineken Daphne Janes Victoria Kalina Cianna Levi Maddie Massingill Lisa Mills Alora-Rose Morgan Alanna Tarango Thank You Cowboys Nation https://www.instagram.com/p/COjaZXIgEov/?igshid=sqiyoucr6hdf Point: Gina Ligi & Rachel Wyatt Pro Bowl 2022 Representative: Lexie Sullivan Rookie of the Year: Kelee Norris Veteran of the Year: Rachel WyattKayDianna Davis Chandi Dayle Ashlee Ford Marissa Garrison Darian Lassiter Armani Latimer Gina Ligi Amber McMillian Kat Puryear
Mckenzie Sherman Tori Skillings Lexie Smith Jalyn Stough Caroline Sundvold Tyra Thompson Kelcey Wetterberg Claire Wolford Rachel Wyatt
2020 season (Season 15) 2020–21 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / Awards Show GroupRachel Alexander Briana Baisden Chandi McCright Amanda Dilks Ashlee Ford Tess Guidry Savannah Heineken Daphne Janes Taylor Johnson Victoria Kalina Cianna Levi Gina Ligi
Maddie Massingill Lisa Mills Madeline Molloy Amber McMillan Kat Puryear Erin Sauerhage Jalyn Stough Lexie Sullivan Caroline Sundvold Alanna Tarango Kristin Dodd Kelcey Wetterberg Rachel WyattJessica Bowman Elli DiGiovanni Marissa Garrison Sydney Hawthorne Darian Lassiter Armani Latimer Dani McGinnis Jada McLean Alora-Rose Morgan Mckenzie Sherman Claire WolfordHannah Anderson Brennan Cook Bridget Jacob Lily Johnson Amy Leonall Meredith Madden
Molly Neumeister Heather O'Connor Taylor Pedersen Alexis Peterson Christina Riccelli Miranda Tims Point: Maddie Massingill & Rachel Wyatt Pro Bowl 2021 Representative: N/A Rookie of the Year: McKenzie Sherman Veteran of the Year: Gina LigiRachel Alexander Chandi Dayle Amanda Dilks Ashlee Ford Marissa Garrison Tess Guidry Daphne Janes Victoria Kalina Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill Amber McMillian Erin Sauerhage Lexie Smith Caroline Sundvold Kelcey Wetterberg Claire Wolford Rachel Wyatt
2019 season (Season 14) 2019–20 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut Roles / Awards Show GroupRachel Alexander Hannah Anderson Briana Baisden Brennan Cook Ashlee Ford Tess Guidry Savannah Heineken Bridget Jacob Daphne Janes
Taylor Johnson Amy Leonall Cianna Levi Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill Madeline Molloy Amber McMillan Molly Neumeister Heather O'Connor
Alexis Peterson Christina Riccelli Erin Sauerhage Jalyn Stough Lexie Sullivan Caroline Sundvold Alanna Tarango Miranda Tims Rachel WyattAmanda Dilks Lily Johnson Victoria Kalina Meredith Madden Chandi McCright Lisa Mills Taylor Pedersen Kat Puryear Kristin Dodd Kelcey WetterbergKhalyn Cole Tasha Cruz KaShara Garrett Gabby Goduco Yuko Kawata Lacey Munoz Lauren Parker Jessika Palmer Kelli Sullivan Point: Amy Leonall & Maddie Massingill Pro Bowl 2020 Representative: Amy Leonall Rookie of the Year: Kelcey Wetterberg Veteran of the Year: Bridget Jacob Rachel Alexander Hannah Anderson Amanda Dilks Ashlee Ford Tess Guidry Bridget Jacob Daphne Janes Victoria Kalina Amy Leonall Cianna Levi Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill Amber McMillian Heather O’Connor Lexie Smith Caroline Sundvold Kelcey Wetterberg Rachel Wyatt
2018 season (Season 13) 2018–19 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / Awards Show GroupRachel Alexander Khalyn Cole Tasha Cruz KaShara Garrett Tess Guidry Savannah Heineken Yuko Kawata Amy Leonall Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill
Lacey Munoz Molly Neumeister Heather O'Connor Lauren Parker Jessika Palmer Alexis Peterson Christina Riccelli Kelli Sullivan Lexie Sullivan Miranda TimsHannah Anderson Briana Baisden Brennan Cook Ashlee Ford Gabby Goduco Bridget Jacob Daphne Janes Taylor Johnson
Cianna Levi Amber McMillan Madeline Molloy Erin Sauerhage Jalyn Stough Caroline Sundvold Alanna Tarango Rachel WyattCersten Bradley Simone Culwell Jinelle Davidson Selina Flores Keyra Ford Jenna Jackson Chantel Jones
Stephanie Larson Kelsey Lowrance Robin Richardson Maggie Rouse Tara Szybillo Elizabeth Voegtle Point: KaShara Garrett Pro Bowl 2019 Representative: Lacey Munoz Rookie of the Year: Caroline Sundvold Veteran of the Year: Heather O'Connor Hannah Anderson Khalyn Cole Tasha Cruz KaShara Garrett Tess Guidry Bridget Jacob Daphne Janes Amy Leonall Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill Amber McMillan Lacey Munoz Heather O'Connor Lauren Parker Kelli Sullivan Lexie Sullivan Jalyn Stough
2017 season (Season 12) 2017-18 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / AwardsShow GroupCersten Bradley Milan Brahney Khalyn Cole Tasha Cruz Simone Culwell Jinelle Davidson Selina Flores KaShara Garrett Tess Guidry Jenna Jackson Chantel Jones
Yuko Kawata Stephanie Larson Amy Leonall Kelsey Lowrance Maddie Massingill Lacey Munoz Heather O'Connor Jessika Palmer Robin Richardson Maggie Rouse Kelli Sullivan Elizabeth VoegtleRachel Alexander Savannah Heineken Keyra Ford Gina Ligi Molly Neumeister Lauren Parker Alexis Peterson Christina Riccelli Kalyssa Singleton Alexandria Stavropoulos Lexie Sullivan Tara Szybillo Miranda TimsJennifer Amburn Danielle Barhold Claire Brown Megan Carcioppolo Allie Droste Heather Hamilton Holly Powell Jessica Purdy Raylee Stearman Jaclyn Tisdale Amy Trader Mandy Voecks Melissa Wallace Erica Wilkins Point: KaShara Garrett Pro Bowl 2018 Representative: KaShara Garrett Rookie of the Year: Savannah Heineken Veteran of the Year: Robin Richardson Cersten Bradley Tasha Cruz Jinelle Davidson KaShara Garrett Jenna Jackson Stephanie Larson Amy Leonall Gina Ligi Maddie Massingill Lacey Munoz Heather O'Connor Lauren Parker Robin Richardson Maggie Rouse Kalyssa Singleton Kelli Sullivan
2016 season (Season 11) 2016–17 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / AwardsShow GroupJennifer Amburn Danielle Barhold Claire Brown Megan Carcioppolo Simone Culwell Jinelle Davidson KaShara Garrett Jenna Jackson Chantel Jones Stephanie Larson Amy Leonall
Lacey Munoz Holly Powell Jessica Purdy Robin Richardson Raylee Stearman Jaclyn Tisdale Amy Trader Elizabeth Voegtle Melissa Wallace Erica WilkinsCersten Bradley Milan Brahney Khalyn Cole Tasha Cruz Allie Droste Selina Flores Tess Guidry Heather Hamilton
Yuko Kawata Kelsey Lowrance Maddie Massingill Heather O'Connor Jessika Palmer Maggie Rouse Kelli Sullivan Mandy VoecksKelsey Bond Victoria Carriere Paige Cavalieri Mary Dill Ashley Holland Holly Hubbard Rachel Lunsford Angela Nicotera Loren Roeder Kat Rogers Kinzie Rusco Jacie Scott Caila Sims Point: Jennifer Amburn Pro Bowl 2017 Representative: Jennifer Amburn Rookie of the Year: Heather O'Connor Veteran of the Year: Jessica Purdy Jennifer Amburn Claire Brown Megan Carcioppolo Jinelle Davidson Jenna Jackson Maddie Massingill Lacey Munoz Holly Powell Jessica Purdy Robin Richardson Maggie Rouse Kelli Sullivan Jaclyn Tisdale Amy Trader Mandy Voecks Melissa Wallace Erica Wilkins
2015 season (Season 10) 2015–16 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / AwardsShow GroupJennifer Amburn Danielle Barhold Kelsey Bond Victoria Carriere Paige Cavalieri Jinelle Davidson Mary Dill Ashley Holland Holly Hubbard Jenna Jackson
Rachel Lunsford Lacey Munoz Angela Nicotera Jessica Purdy Loren Roeder Kinzie Rusco Jacie Scott Caila Sims Melissa Wallace Erica WilkinsClaire Brown Megan Carcioppolo Simone Culwell KaShara Garrett Chantel Jones Stephanie Larson Amy Leonall
Holly Powell Robin Richardson Kat Rogers Raylee Stearman Jaclyn Tisdale Amy Trader Elizabeth VoegtleAbby Bertrand Nicole Bulcher Samantha Clark Jennifer Colvin Jordan Daigle Sydney Durso Emma Dutton Ashley Ferrel
Katy Fink Jasmine Goode Jessica Kalil Veronica Lind Ashley Prochazka Courtney Russ Brittney Schram Breelan Statham Point: Holly Hubbard Pro Bowl 2016 Representative: Holly Hubbard Rookie of the Year: KaShara Garrett Veteran of the Year: Holly Hubbard Jennifer Amburn Kelsey Bond Megan Carcioppolo Jinelle Davidson Mary Dill Ashley Holland Holly Hubbard Jenna Jackson Rachel Lunsford Lacey Munoz Holly Powell Jessica Purdy Kinzie Rusco Jacie Scott Amy Trader Melissa Wallace Erica Wilkins
2014 season (Season 9) 2014–15 Squad Returning Veterans Rookies Retired / Cut / Resigned Roles / AwardsShow GroupJennifer Amburn Danielle Barhold Abby Bertrand Kelsey Bond Nicole Bulcher Paige Cavalieri Samantha Clark Jennifer Colvin Jordan Daigle
Jinelle Davidson Sydney Durso Emma Dutton Ashley Ferrel Katy Fink Jasmine Goode Ashley Holland Holly Hubbard Jenna Jackson
Jessica Kalil Veronica Lind Rachel Lunsford Angela Nicotera Jessica Purdy Kinzie Rusco Brittney Schram Jacie ScottVictoria Carriere Mary Dill Lacey Munoz Ashley Prochazka Loren Roeder Courtney Russ Caila Sims Breelan Statham Melissa Wallace Erica WilkinsJacqueline Bob Mia Greenhouse Alex Hermes Morgan Jordan Mackenzie Weeks Carisa McMillan Kaitlyn Phillips Olivia Sharber Amelia Smith Kim Tong Courtni Wedeman