Released last month, a documentary called America’s Sweethearts has been steadily rising the Netflix ratings. It gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of the most renowned cheerleading squad in America – the infamous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC).
The series chronicles the intense training and selection process for the cheerleaders and the immense pressure that each member feels to perform to a very high standard.
One of the women pursuing the dream is Ariana McClure, a 24-year-old who works in medical sales but dropped everything and left for Dallas to chase her ambition.
After being cut during training camp last year, this is her second go at making the squad.
The women must endure a rigorous audition procedure and training camp before they can confidently high-kick in formation on a football field. They must also maintain impeccable attention to detail. The level of competition is extreme.
In addition to mastering the difficult acrobatic routines, they must maintain their current weight to keep wearing the distinctive shorts, crop tops, and cowboy boots that are their signature.
A large number of people have voiced their disapproval of the cheerleaders’ poor pay and excessive expectations. The majority of the women are also juggling other full-time employment with their rigorous training.
Cheerleaders are not paid a lot, according to Cowboys supervisor Charlotte Jones in the first episode, but the ladies who join the squad do not do it for the money, she claims; instead, they want to be a part of something greater than themselves.
While Ariana acknowledges that salaries have gone up a bit overall, she maintains that the cheerleaders deserve more. To manage the overwhelming demands of training, Ariana began engaging in journaling and therapy.
The dancers’ emotional well-being is part of the themes that the show explores. Despite leaving the squad, four-year veteran Victoria Kalina discussed her battles with depression and weight issues.
Viewers and TV reviewers alike have praised the featured ladies for meeting the DCC’s high standards.
In her review, Emma Beddington found plenty to horrify in the show, citing the abysmal pay, the physical toll on the team members, and the objectification as examples.
