If you aren’t a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleading fan, you will be after watching America’s Sweethearts Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries on Netflix. In Season 2 it continues to follow the DCC from auditions to training camp and the NFL season as they chase their dreams and a coveted spot on the squad.
We talked with returning cheerleaders Reece Weaver & Jada Mclean, along with longtime director Kelli Finglass about the athleticism, comaraderie, forgiveness and faith.
Interviewed for Family Entourage
Family Entourage: I have so enjoyed watching this series, and I have to say, Kelly, usually with reality TV shows, there is such a focus on the negativity and all those things that are really selfish ambition. But I feel like this show is completely different, and I credit that to you. I feel like that’s got to start with you in this tone that you’re setting that’s really able to keep it focused on the show and celebrate the bonding, but also showcasing that rigor. So talk to me a little bit about how you’re able to kind of do that, because it comes across so well and it differentiates the show so much.
Kelli Finglass: Well, our show is a docuseries, and it’s not scripted and it’s not reality. It’s not housewives, it’s not paradise, literally. But the show showcases what we really are. It shows the very competitive audition. It shows the very hard work of training camp and making a team. I mean, our organization’s designed much like an NFL football team. It’s training camp and roster cuts and then kickoff football season. But the beauty to me in this show as a viewer, what is learning the backstories and the personal lives of women like Reese and women like Jada, it’s so interesting and so fascinating for people all over the world to see these flawlessly presented performers share their flaws and their families and their stories.
FE: Jada, for me, the two words that stood out for you were willing to fight for anything, even if it didn’t have personal benefit tied to it and forgiveness, like that quality at such a young age to be able to really understand the complexities. Talk to me a little bit about just your tenure with the organization and what stands out to you most of the strides that you’ve made.
Jada Mclean: Well, I’ve had an amazing five years with this organization, and truly this was a dream come true. I was someone who didn’t have the background that made me think that this was a dream that I could achieve. So I’m grateful for all the experiences, all the friendships, all of the memories I’ve made these last five seasons. But truly, this show, I think really does showcase what I believe in, fighting for what’s important to you in this season. That was our pay increase, which I’m very grateful for. And then forgiveness, which is something that I’ve had to learn at a young age, but something that I think everyone needs to practice daily is forgiving one another. Not all perfect, and we all make mistakes, but that’s what makes us human and that’s how we grow. So yeah, I’ve had a great time on this team and I’m very grateful for it, and I’m excited to see the women that get to come next and get to leave their own legacies here.
FE: And Reece, I feel like anytime you would come on screen, it was just such a breath of fresh air. It was, you’re always so positive and optimistic, but also fully understand what’s at cost and what needs to be done. And I love that there are so many girls that it seems like are faith filled on the team, but you were really able to kind of prioritize that in a very natural way. Talk to me about just getting to be part of this all and authentically share yourself with everyone.
Reece Weaver: I do try to be as optimistic as possible. You never know what’s going on behind closed doors. So if there’s a smile on someone’s face, I feel like that just kind of lifts my spirits. And so I want to be that for others. But I think that this show and just kind of the trust that we had to pour into our crew and our directors, obviously I was a little nervous. You just don’t know what to expect. But I do think that I kind of go back and lean on my faith in that way and know that I am flawed, I am imperfect. I have a lot of brokenness, but I always try to make sure that someone can relate to that and I can be as vulnerable and as authentic as possible.
FE: I really appreciate you all sharing your stories and doing that through this format and that we really get to see this team in the athletic light that they should be seeing in. So thank you guys so much for sharing. I can’t wait for audiences to continue to see it.
America’s Sweethearts Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix
