Introducing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2024 squad!
“WE MADE THE TEAM! 💘💘💘,” the DCC Instagram caption read on Monday, July 22, alongside a photo of the squad in their training camp gear. In the snap, the rookies held up the iconic uniforms.
When Netflix released America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in June 2024, millions of viewers tuned in to watch a passionate group of dancers embark on a rigorous audition process, hoping to secure one of the 36 spots on the NFL cheerleading team.
However, if there’s anything the show makes clear, it’s that there’s always next year.
To make the squad, DCC requires every cheer hopeful—including veterans—to audition each year. While a second season of America’s Sweethearts hasn’t been confirmed, some fans have been following the series’ stars and the NFL cheerleading team’s social media for updates on who made the team for the 2024 season.
So, which of the show’s athletes appeared in the snap? Reece Weaver, now a married woman, and Anna Kate Sundvold—both second-year veterans who starred in the series—smiled wide for the camera as they marked their return after cheering during last year’s football season.
That making-the-team moment is simply unmatched 🥹
AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/yWHkQQx5u8
— Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@DCCheerleaders) June 24, 2024
Other 2023 rookies who join them are Camille Sturdivant, Brooklyn Davis, Kennedy Hannan, McKenna Gehrke, Zoë Dale, and Taylor.
Sophy Laufer, who spoke up about being assaulted on the field during one of the episodes, is now a third-year veteran. Madeline Salter, whose dad died during the 2022 season, is officially a fourth-year veteran.
Chandi Dayle, who returned for her sixth year, is now the most senior member of the team. The other veterans — 24 in total — who made the squad are Lea Tunnell, Kleine Powell, KayDianna MacKenzie, Armani Latimer, Amanda Howard, Kylie Dickson, Jada Mclean, Megan McElaney, Kally Bethea, Karley Swindel, Marissa Phillips, Tori and Kelee.
But they’re not the only familiar faces who earned their cowboy boots. Charly Barby and Kelly Villares landed rookie spots on the squad after their emotional eliminations were captured in the docuseries.
@charlybarby SO GRATEFUL 🤍🥹 #dancing #turns #ballet #dallas #training #nflcheerprep #netflix #americassweethearts #charly
Charly Barby, a seasoned dancer from California, was the final woman cut during training camp on America’s Sweethearts. Despite the heartbreak, Barby held her composure and reassured DCC director Kelli Fineglass she’d be back next year.
Barby returned for auditions in June 2024, made it to training camp, and ultimately secured a spot on the squad as a rookie for the upcoming season. “What a legacy to be a part of. I am SO. EXCITED.”
Noting that she “would not change a thing” about how she made it onto the team, the 23-year-old added, “This organization means the absolute world to me and to be able to call it home now means more than I’ll ever be able to say.”
Kelly Villares’ longtime passion for dance and dreams of being a DCC touched fans when she was featured on the Netflix series.
However, her aspirations were cut short when she was released in episode 3, with Fineglass expressing concern that despite her extensive dance experience, she wasn’t quite there when it came to DCC choreography. Her cut from the pending squad came shortly after her makeover, during which she underwent the radical change from blonde to brunette.
Fans were thrilled to learn that the New Jersey native returned for auditions in 2024, first making training camp before ultimately being named a rookie on the team for the upcoming season.
“My lifelong dream came true today, and this will be a day I will never forget,” Villares commented on the DCC Instagram post. “Thank you to this organization for allowing my dream to come true.”
