Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: The Unseen Struggles Behind the Glamour

As a wordsmith with a penchant for the poetic, I, Maya Rivers, find myself drawn to the oft-overlooked tales of those who dazzle us with their charm and beauty. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, with their precision-crafted routines and captivating smiles, are the epitome of glamour. Yet, beneath the surface of their polished performances lies a complex web of secrets, struggles, and sacrifices.

The 2025 NFL season is set to kick off on September 4, with the Cowboys facing off against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. As the DCC prepares to make their season debut on September 14 at AT&T Stadium, they do so with a newfound sense of pride and purpose. A landmark 400-percent pay raise, revealed in June on the second season of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, has brought a “life-changing” boost in compensation to the squad. Veteran DCC members, like Jada McLean, who previously made $15 an hour in 2024, can now earn upward of $75 an hour, plus $500 per non-game appearance.

This significant increase in pay is a testament to the organization’s commitment to valuing its cheerleaders. DCC director Kelli Finglass expressed her pride in the squad’s accomplishments, stating that the entire organization wants to ensure they feel valued. For McLean, who chose to retire after last season, the pay raise is a bittersweet victory. She noted that she was glad to have made a positive impact on the girls coming up behind her, even if she doesn’t get to benefit from the changes herself.

Becoming a member of the DCC is a goal for countless women, and it’s clear that it requires a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. The squad’s signature jump splits, while visually stunning, take a toll on the body. Caroline Sundvold, an alum of the DCC, revealed that she needed surgery after four seasons of jump-splitting, which left her joints in a permanently injured state. Her sister, Anna Kate Sundvold, who is a current member of the squad, has also experienced her fair share of injuries.

The physical demands of being a DCC member are undeniable, but it’s not just the body that is pushed to the limit. The mental toughness required to perform at such a high level is equally impressive. Kennedy Hannan, who is back for her second season, told E! News in May that it’s “physically demanding, mentally tough,” and that knowing she’s part of a sisterhood of incredible women pushes her to the end.

As the DCC takes to the field, they do so with a newfound sense of pride and purpose. Their routines, while polished and precise, are a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into being part of this iconic squad. Madeline Salter, a standout on America’s Sweetheart, has documented her own struggles with injuries, including visits to Kinetic Centre, a spine and sports rehab clinic. Her chiropractic sports practitioner, Dr. Kristina Myles, noted that their focus is primarily on correcting facial lay and alleviating tension headaches.

The DCC’s commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of their performance. From their rigorous training regimens to their meticulous attention to detail, it’s clear that being part of this squad requires a level of dedication that is hard to find elsewhere. As the 2025 NFL season gets underway, the DCC is poised to dazzle audiences once again with their captivating performances.

In the end, the tale of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is one of beauty, hardship, and perseverance. As we watch them take to the field, we are reminded that behind every polished performance lies a complex web of secrets, struggles, and sacrifices.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Netflix, New York Times, Decider
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed