From their star-covered vests and sparkling white boots to their dramatic jump splits, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are much more than a supporting act for their associated NFL team.
They’re stars on the football field in their own right.
That’s why so many women dream of landing a spot on the iconic squad. But as the opening message of Netflix’s “America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” reads, even though “hundreds of women compete” for the opportunity each year, “only 36 will make it” on the DCC team.
As of June 27, the series currently stands at No. 2 on Netflix's list of its top TV shows in the U.S.
When asked what fans can expect to see in the series, coach Kelli Finglass told TODAY's Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager that the show will take an inside look at the cheerleaders' lives in and out of the spotlight
"This show on Netflix actually follows the ladies in their personal lives, their careers, their boyfriends or fiancés and it gets real. It's raw," Finglass said during an appearance on the place on June 27. "It made me cry. I saw things that I never saw before, that had nothing to do with the football field or the performance, but had everything to do about their personal lives."
The seven-part series follows veterans and rookies alike as they audition for a spot on the DCC’s Class of 2023, offering a peek at both the thrill of making it through and the heartbreak of losing out — as well as the process behind it all.
On TODAY, veteran cheerleader Kelcey Wetterberg talked about the audition process that they have to do year after year to stay on the squad.
"Honestly, the only thing that really changes for us as veterans is the familiarity," she said. "We know our teammates. We know Kelly and (head choreographer) Judy (Trammell), we know the judges sitting in front of us, so that helps a little bit to ease your mind. But we really treat it the same as we did as rookies."
Viewers who want to get to know some of the cheerleaders better can follow them on Instagram. Here’s where to find them:
Kelli Finglass
Where to find Kelli Finglass on Instagram: @kellifinglass
Longtime fans of the DCC and of CMT’s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” will recognize Kelli Finglass (as well as a few other names and faces on “America’s Sweethearts"). Finglass is the director of the DCC and has been since 1991. That’s why she’s the one calling the shots on the show.
But Finglass’ history with the squad goes back even further than that. From 1984 to 1989, she shook her pompoms for the team.
Judy Trammell
Where to find Judy Trammell on Instagram: @dcc_judy
The only thing as recognizable as the DCC’s uniforms is their “Thunderstruck” moves, and Judy Trammell is the mastermind behind that. As head choreographer, she puts all the hopefuls and the final Class of 2023 through their paces on “America's Sweethearts.”
Trammell has served as full-time choreographer for the DCC since 1991, and like Finglass, she’s also a former member of the squad. She cheered for Dallas from 1980 to 1984.
Kelcey Wetterberg
Where to find Kelcey Wetterberg on Instagram: @kelcey_w
Kelcey Wetterberg kicks off the auditions for the Class of 2023 as a fifth-year veteran and first-group leader who quickly proves herself a shoo-in for another season. The only thing better than her moves is her willingness to help her fellow auditioners through the grueling process.
Off the field, Wetterberg works as a pediatric nurse.
Victoria Kalina
Where to find Victoria Kalina on Instagram: @victoriakalina
Fourth-year veteran Victoria Kalina is fighting for more than another year on the squad in “America's Sweethearts.” She has group-leader ambitions, too.
Kalina considers the best moment of her life to be when she first made the team. After all, as a second-generation Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, it was her goal since childhood.
Her mother, Tina Kalina, was part of the DCC’s Class of 1989.
Anna Kate Sundvold
Where to find Anna Kate Sundvold on Instagram: @annakatesundvold
Texas Christian University graduate Anna Kate Sundvold looks every bit the part of a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader from her earliest audition on “America’s Sweethearts.” Maybe that’s because, like Kalina, she has a family connection.
Her sister, Caroline Sundvold, who also appears on the series, was part of DCC’s Class of 2022 and was named the 2023 Veteran of the Year.
Anisha Kay
Where to find on Instagram: @anishakula
Former Golden State Warriors dance team member Anisha Kay is one of the rookie hopefuls who tries to keep up with the pace on the Netflix series.
When she’s not trying out for a spot on an elite cheer team, Kay focuses on her primary career, as an orthodontist.
Reece Allman
Where to find Reece Allman on Instagram: @reece_christinee
Rookie candidate Reece Allman, from Jacksonville, Florida, begins her audition process with minimal nerves on "America's Sweethearts." For that, she credits her faith.
As she declares in the first episode, “God is in control of this whole process, so whatever is meant to happen is meant to happen.”
Charly Barby
Where to find Charly Barby on Instagram: @charly.barby
Charly Barby, the lone redheaded rookie candidate (at least until makeover day), has a background in ballet that she hopes to translate to cheer.
She shares her love of dance on her Instagram page.
Madeline Salter
Where to find Madeline Salter on Instagram: @_madelineggrace
Madeline Salter is a third-year veteran pursuing the chance to join the 2023 squad on “America's Sweethearts." And, like some of the other returning vets, she’s also part of a DCC dynasty.
Her mother is Shannon Hall Salter, who cheered for the Dallas Cowboys from 1987 to 1990.
Ree Hines
Ree Hines is a freelance writer and editor who covers pop culture, lifestyle stories and trending news. She’s also a soul-music loving, coffee-obsessed member of both Team Cat and Team Dog. Ree lives in Tampa, Florida, and is a regular contributor to TODAY.com.
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