Many young girls dream of being one of America's Sweethearts while cheering for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the heart of Texas.
From the beginning of September to the end of January, footballers head to the AT&T Stadium, located in Arlington, Texas, and showcase their athleticism as dedicated fans scream and clap for the players donning silver and blue who have been branded 'America's Team.'
However, the athletes aren't the only stars who have something to prove on the football field.Loud roars can be heard from the bleachers when the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders step out in their barely-there uniforms, which sees them donning white shorts, matching boots, and blue tops.
The elite squad - who recently made headlines when they shared the dark side of being a cheerleader in a hit Netflix documentary - has long been envied by people around the globe who gush over their stunning looks, taunt figures, and flawless dancing skills.
But there's much more to being one of the 36 stunning faces behind the fan-favorite team as the cheerleaders have to flaunt a killer routine, follow strict requirements, and have stellar knowledge of the sport.
Many young girls dream of being one of America's Sweethearts while cheering for The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the heart of Texas
To become one of the select members who gets to strut their stars on the Texas football field, they must go through a rigorous audition process.
They must be 18 years old, attend prep classes, and submit a headshot, full-length photo, 20-second intro video and a dance video.
According to DCC's website, auditions revolve around high kicks, splits, showmanship, technique,energy, enthusiasm, poise, figure, and appearance.
They also must pass a written test that assesses their knowledge of football.
And the difficulties don't come to a halt once they make it onto the team.
Behind the glitz and the glam, the cheerleaders are met with a different attitude as they spend their days facing career-ending injuries, weight struggles, and fending off obsessive stalkers who go as far as tracking their every move.
The darling dancers must also abide by a firm set of guidelines that are laid out in a rule book.
After the cheerleaders laid bare the dark underbelly of the dance team, FEMAIL has lifted the lid on the strict rules they must adhere to while apart of the squad.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders must boast a perfect figure
When auditioning for the team, the dancers' looks were once a major focus
When auditioning for the team, the dancers' looks were once a major focus.
And when they eventually became one of America's Sweethearts, they had to maintain the same body shape and minimalist looks they had during auditions.
During an episode of the America's Girls podcast, which was dedicated to the cheerleader's rules, host Sarah Hepola shared the slew of rules from a 30-year-old Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Basic Rules and Regulations guide.
One of the many rules stated that the dancers couldn't gain weight.
According to The New York Times, former director Suzanne Mitchell would 'circle cheerleaders' body parts in photos to show where they needed to trim down.
And once they become one of America's Sweethearts, they must maintain the same body shape and minimalist look they did during auditions
'Your shorts were custom-fitted to you, and they'd always say, "We'll take it up, but we won't let it out."' former cheerleader and Cowboys tour secretary Toni Washington said of her time in the 1980s.
There was reportedly even an infamous 'weight list,' which detailed the weight all girls needed to be at.
In one episode of the recent Netflix series, a budding star was turned away for being too short.
However, the DCC website now states that they 'do not have any height or weight requirements.'
It does note however that the cheerleaders must 'look well-proportioned in dancewear.'
Flowing locks makes for a flawless routine
The DCC's current director, Kelli Finglass, has maintained some of the rules from all those years ago - with one of them focusing on flowing locks
The DCC's current director, Kelli Finglass, has maintained some of the rules from all those years ago - with one of them focusing on flowing locks.
In 2016, the director told People, 'Now it's all about the girls being as glamorous as they can.
'They all wear their hair down — even in rehearsal.'
She added: 'That's actually kind of exciting and that's a real fun perk, especially for the girls that come from small towns and went to a little local beauty parlor and then you come to this Dallas salon with two stories, 20 stylists, and equipment that looks like you could fly to the moon in it. It's really quite glamorous.'
The same year, Melissa, a third-year vet, told the outlet that keeping their hair down made the routine that much more difficult.
'We not only have our hair styled and down the entire game, but our dances almost always have some form of hairography,' she said.
According to choreographer Judy Trammell, hairstyles should be 'current' and should never hide their faces.
Less is more! Makeup must be natural and the dancers must have a clean appearance
A big part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders look is their natural aesthetic
A big part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders look is their wholesome aesthetic.
To keep on being America's Sweethearts, dancers must keep their makeup neutral.
While auditioning for the squad, they are advised to wear glam that 'compliments' their natural beauty.
According to People, matte eyeshadows are preferred as are neutral cheek and lip shades.
Once they are part of the team, cheerleaders are forbidden from donning red lips and nails.
They should also avoid long and fake eyelashes and extremely dark spray tans.
The beauties tend to keep up their glowing tans by going to Palm Beach Tan and Planet Tan in Dallas.
In 1982, the cheerleaders weren't allowed to chew gum, drink alcohol, sport jeans or wear curlers in public.
Iconic uniforms are provided and must be returned, however, the dancers must have their own hosiery
According to the DCC website, the iconic uniforms are provided to the dancers and they must returned before the final auditions of the following season
According to the DCC website, the iconic uniforms are provided to the dancers and they must returned before the final auditions of the following season.
And while the cheerleaders are given their uniforms, they must bring their own hosiery.
The current director told People: 'They wear skin-toned hosiery with the uniform.
'They've all found the brands they individually like.
'It's got to be sheer, and it can't peak out of the uniform — like it can't be 'reinforced,' anything like that — because it has to look very natural.'
The pay isn't what many think! Cheerleaders are paid on a schedule, however, the amount is not disclosed
Despite tirelessly strutting their stuff and following a strict set of guidelines on and off the field, the cheerleaders aren't paid much
Despite tirelessly strutting their stuff and following a strict set of guidelines on and off the field, the cheerleaders aren't paid much.
In 1977, they were only paid $15 per home game, according to The New York Times.
Now, it's unknown just how much the dancers are paid. However, according to the DCC website, 'there is a pay schedule for rehearsals, home football games, promo appearances & shows.'
According to America's Girls, cheerleaders now reportedly make $12 an hour and $400 on game day.
The cheerleaders have long been at the center of attention, but they were further thrusted into the spotlight when streaming giant Netflix released a tell-all docuseries about the elite squad.
The docuseries, which was released June 20, laidbare the dark underbelly of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and the personalities behind the iconic uniforms.
The show, entitled, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, follows the squad through their rigorous audition process, football season, and into their personal lives when they aren't donning silver and blue.
The docuseries, which was released June 20, laid bare the dark underbelly of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and the personalities behind the iconic uniforms
In the trailer for the show, the cheerleaders can be seen facing an overwhelming amount of obstacles as they attempt to overcome the grueling pressures of being a member of one of the most-loved cheer teams.
The teaser begins with the dancers prepping to perform on game day.
An unknown woman is then heard motivating the team, 'Here we go, DCC! Y'all, heads up. It's time. Let's focus.'
As the camera zooms into the cheerleader's face, one of them adds: 'Beautiful, classy, feminine. Everything would be perfect if I were that woman. It's a lot of pressure every single night.
'Our job is to make it look easy.'
Meanwhile, as the girls got their glam on in the dressing room, one of them said: 'Since I was little, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, that's what I wanted to do.'
The docuseries laid bare the dark underbelly of the iconic uniforms
DCC coach Kelli is then seen discussing the rigorous audition and training process.
'This is what training camp is for, some thrive, some buckle under pressure, some kind of disappoint,' she added.
The Dallas women are then seen showcasing their best moves throughout the audition process as they fight for a spot on the 36-member team.
And, the audition process takes its toll on the hopeful cheerleaders as they are seen shedding tears - revealing that they often become 'angry and emotional.'
'There are a lot of expectations based on how we carry ourselves,' one cheerleader said, while another admitted she was 'worried' about her weight.
And dancing isn't the only thing on the stars' minds as they confessed they have feared for their safety in the past due to stalkers.
'There was an AirTag put on my car. I was so scared,' one cheerleader said.
Kelli added that she 'worries' about the safety of the girls.
However, the dancing icons revealed that they were thankful they had each other to rely on throughout the difficult process.
'When one person hurts, we all hurt. I think the jump splits take their toll,' one added.
And dancing isn't the only thing on the stars' minds as they confessed they have feared for their safety in the past due to stalkers
On the field, the cheerleaders tend to face an agonizing amount of injuries.
One cheerleader was seen sitting at home with a broken leg as she explained: 'This year has been really hard. My feet are broken, my hip is broken, and now it's like I'm not really sure what's next.'
And, they often struggle to get past the various obstacles.
'After working so hard your whole life, you're just so happy to have your uniform, but then there always comes the other side,' one woman said.
Another admitted that she often got 'overwhelmed', but she remembered that she joined the team to show off her dancing skills.
At the end of the clip, one cheerleader noted that it was nearly impossible to not let your time as one of America's Sweethearts define you.
She said: 'Everyone says not to let DCC define who you are. But in a sense, I mean, doesn't it?'
And, the audition process takes its toll on the hopeful cheerleaders as they are seen shedding tears and reveal that they often become 'angry and emotional'
On the field, the cheerleaders tend to face an agonizing amount of injuries
Charlotte Jones, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer, gushed about the production in a statement shared with NBC DFW.
She told the outlet: 'The storytelling through this open access will captivate viewers episode after episode and Netflix's global stage is the perfect platform to showcase it.
'We went into this understanding that the opportunity to transparently share the journey of our season, and the emotions, challenges and joy experienced along the way, is exactly what our fans and viewers would want.
'It's also part of the reason that, for decades, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have earned their place as being "often imitated, but never equaled."'
Greg Whiteley, the man behind the show Cheer and Last Chance U, is one of the executive producers of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders series.
At the end of the clip, one cheerleader noted that it was nearly impossible to not let your time as one of America's Sweethearts define you
Greg Whiteley, the man behind the show Cheer and Last Chance U, is one of the executive producers of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders series
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders premiered on June 20
The producer told The Hollywood Reporter: 'The kind of access and creative freedom we need to make the kind of work we want to make is not easy to come by — especially when dealing with a brand as large as the Dallas Cowboys.
'To their infinite credit, the Cowboys offered unfettered access for the year we filmed the DCC and left us alone. The result is an authentic portrait of one of the most storied and beloved institutions we have in American pop culture.'
The show is coming out two-and-a-half years after the long-running Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team ended on CMT following 16 seasons.
The Dallas Cowboys team is owned by Jerry Jones and boasts five NFL championships, spanning across 1996, 1994, 1993, 1978 and 1972.
They are also said to be the most followed football team across social media, with a whopping 8.2 million dedicated fans, according toStatista.
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix.
