Latest news with #DallasCowboysCheerleaders
New York Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘America's Sweethearts' Is a Compelling Sports Series
Season 2 of the documentary series 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,' on Netflix, is a bit less rah-rah than Season 1 — still full of tears, high kicks and sisterhood but also more attuned to the pain of it all, the sorrow and struggle of cobbling together one's self-worth. One of this season's leads is Jada, a five-year veteran of the team and among its best dancers and most thoughtful leaders. She lays out the season's theme at the beginning: 'Everyone's going to say, 'Well, they're just cheerleaders,'' she says. 'Well, we're really good cheerleaders.' Her grin begins to spread. 'Show us that you appreciate us,' she adds. Are the members of the team appreciated? Not with money, they're not, and part of this season's most invigorating arc is the cheerleaders' quest for better pay. Season 1 brought additional fame and adulation to the team, and it also drew attention to the exploitation of the enterprise. As Kylie, another team veteran, explains: 'The world was kind of telling us, 'Girls, fight for more.' And we're like, 'OK!'' As the women practice the grueling signature routine, we hear the opening strains of the AC/DC song 'Thunderstruck,' over and over. But the true refrain of the season is the fretting about being in one's own head. It's the catchall term for all distress and self-recrimination, the explanation for any lack of confidence or lapse in perfection. Yes, performers can overthink things, especially in prolonged auditions, and rumination and anxiety are enemies to the wide smiles and sexy winks the Dallas cheerleaders' routines require. The job is to make it look easy. But there's an interesting tension. Your head is where the good ideas are, too — ideas like: 'Hey, a lot of people are making a lot of money off my work; why doesn't any of that go to me?' Or: 'Even people who I believe have my best interests at heart can disappoint and hurt me.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
What Did Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi Dayle Do? The Bahamas Incident Explained
Chandi Dayle, one of the longest-serving members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, had a challenging final season with the squad. In Season 2 of Netflix's America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the respected team leader broke a major team rule during a trip to the Bahamas and ultimately took a leave of absence. Dayle joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) in 2019 and became a prominent member of the organization over her six seasons, including being selected as a Pro Bowl cheerleader in 2024. The second installment of the docuseries touches on the veteran's journey to making the 2024–2025 squad and becoming a first-group leader. In addition to speaking on the difficulties of being a group leader, Dayle was also very open about her past abusive relationship. In Episode 6, Dayle shared that her ex-boyfriend was emotionally and physically abusive on multiple occasions. 'Things progressively got worse with him,' she said. 'We broke up and at that time, I met my boyfriend now. I started getting random messages from many different fake numbers describing exactly what my boyfriend was wearing. He was a stalker.' As she was driving to the police station, she recalled him pulling up beside her car, smashing his car door into hers and getting out to threaten her boyfriend's life. Unfortunately, she was unable to obtain protection despite filing police reports for domestic violence, harassment and stalking due to lack of evidence. Dayle's relationship with the DCC took a turn at the end of Episode 6 during the team retreat to the Bahamas. When the squad returned to Texas, Dayle was no longer serving as a leader, sparking speculation among the other cheerleaders about what had happened. Head choreographer Judy Trummel said that Chandi had to take a leave of absence from the team. In a confessional, Dayle admitted to the cameras that she had been 'struggling mentally' and had done bad things to herself before. "I can't do it anymore," she said. "Like, I was at the end of my rope, and I just wanna, like quit." On America's Sweethearts, Dayle's actions in the Bahamas came to light in Season 2, Episode 7. Fourth-year veteran KayDianna said that Chandi was doing 'little small things that were weird,' but you would "never pick up on that something big is going down." Fifth-year vet Jada McLean then explained that Chandi broke protocol in the Bahamas by bringing 'somebody' into her room that no one had known, which made some dancers fear for their safety. 'A lot of people were worried for their safety because they didn't know who this individual was. If that was me, I probably wouldn't want to be in a room with a stranger either,' McLean explained. 'To other people, it came off as, 'Oh my gosh, you put me in danger.' Or, 'You weren't worried about my safety.' But I don't think she thought of that in an almost just naïve way. She wasn't thinking about that at all. She was kind of thinking about what she needed at the time,' she continued. Chandi later addressed the incident and said she invited the person because she needed someone to talk to about the struggles going on in her life. 'When we took the trip to the Bahamas, I met someone and we shared similar things that have happened in our past. I was just like kind of crumbling down and I was like, 'Dang, I feel like I have no one here to talk to and so it's nice to have someone to confide in,'' she explained. Chandi broke DCC protocol when she brought someone the team didn't know back to the Bahamas hotel room where other members of the squad were staying. 'In our contract, it specifically even states that we are not allowed to give out information like that. Specific information like location, the hotel – that would put anyone in harm's way,' KayDianna explained in the docuseries, adding that they still didn't know who the man was and that there were a lot of unknowns. Chandi admitted she broke DCC protocol and acknowledged that the Bahamas trip was not the right setting for what happened. 'I broke a DCC rule and had time with my friend, and it was like the first time I really like mental-dumped everything… and everything that was happening and everything I've gone through and everything that was making me feel and think certain things,' she said. The former DCC cheerleader continued, 'It helped me in the moment. Like I get it – it was probably the wrong place and time to do that. But selfishly, I had to do it for me because I feel like I was just losing it." In an exclusive interview with People, McLean and fellow dancers Charly Barby, Armani Latimer and Kelly Villares said they were proud of how they handled the "unfortunate situation" with Chandi. "There are things that go on in any workplace. Situations come up, and I think the biggest thing is how you handle it," McLean said. 'I think we did our best as a team to handle it professionally while still being supportive of her.' By the end of the 2024–2025 season, Dayle returned to the team, but not as a group leader. In a confessional, she said it was 'really nice' not being a first leader anymore, after previously sharing how difficult the role had been earlier in the season. Finglass praised Dayle for doing 'a great job for the situation she's in' and said it was 'very hard' for her to watch the dancer 'go through a low point.' 'I feel very motherly to her. She needs hugs and she needs love and she needs forgiveness. We're not gonna leave any of our children out in the cold,' the DCC director added. In the finale of America's Sweethearts Season 2, Dayle shared her plans to not continue with the DCC after six years. 'I love you both so much. And I love this organization. And I appreciate you both being there for me through a lot of ups and a lot of downs,' she told her coaches. 'It was a real safe place for me. I'm excited to watch you all from the sidelines and cheer you on.' The dancer continued, 'I think this year I found who I really am. I lost it for sure, was lost in who I really was. There was a long time where I was scared to just not be without dance because that was just me and that was my safe space. But I feel good." Season 2 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix.
CBC
14 hours ago
- 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."
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' documents pay win for the group
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have scored a salary touchdown. The new season of the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' includes the women getting a pay raise. ''Happy' isn't even the right word for it. It kind of felt like a relief, like everything had paid off,' former cheerleader Jada McLean said. 'And finally, we were done fighting.' Netflix bills the series as viewers get to 'Follow the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and the NFL season as they chase their dreams and a coveted spot on the squad.' During the first season the audience learned that because of the low pay many of cheerleaders had to work second jobs. The women have advocated for more money for years. 'Our efforts were heard, and they wanted to give us a raise,' Megan McElaney, a four year veteran of the team, said. 'And we ended up getting a 400 percent increase, which is, like, life-changing.' The Dallas Cowboys have long been called America's team and according to Forbes magazine the franchise has 'been the most valuable pro sports team in the world for almost a decade' as reported by Associated Press. Season two of 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' is currently streaming on Netflix.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Finally Earn a Livable Wage After 400 Percent Raise
Break out your pom-poms and get ready to celebrate: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are finally getting a much-deserved raise. The team revealed the news on the second season of their Netflix documentary series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. According to Megan McElaney, a fourth-year veteran on the team, the cheerleaders are getting a 'life-changing' 400 percent pay raise for the 2025 season. Advertisement This is a huge win for the cheerleaders, who have been fighting for better fair pay since former cheerleader Erica Wilkins sued the team back in 2018, alleging that she made less than the team's mascot for her work. The case was settled a year later, resulting in an increase of wages from $8 to $12 and the game day rate from $200 to $400. When Season 1 of the series premiered back in 2024, the world was shocked to learn that the cheerleaders were barely making minimum wage. During the show, former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Kat Puryear compared their wages to a 'substitute teacher' or a 'Chick-Fil-A' worker that's full time.' The revelation about the cheerleaders' unfair salaries sparked outrage online, with many people pointing out the irony that players make millions of dollars a year, while the cheerleaders are essentially told to be 'grateful' for minimum wage. In an interview with the New York Times, former cheerleader Jada McLean provided more details about the raise. In 2024, McLean claims she made around $15 dollars an hour and $500 per game. With the raise, cheerleaders can now make $75 per hour or more, depending on the number of years spent on the team. Advertisement People on social media celebrated the win, reiterating that the raise was 'long overdue.' 'About time. They deserve it and had been exploited for far too long,' an X user commented. Another user was happy for the squad, but still thought they deserve more. 'Hope they are getting paid better. I see veterans now get $75 per hour. But honestly should be more given how much they make for that company. Also, tbh, they are the talent because who are even the cowboys at this point without their cheerleaders,' they wrote. It's a good day for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Maybe they should change their nickname to America's Fairly Paid Sweethearts.
