03x06 - Baby, I'm a Star

[bunniefuu]

[Megan] Five, six,
seven, eight, one, and three.

Five, seven, one, three, five, seven.

Y'all don't skip.

Step out.

Okay, let's do that again.

- [Megan] Five, seven, one…
- [cheerleader] Jump split!

- [Megan] …three, five, seven.
- [Judy] Yes.

[cheerleader] Here we go, blue!

- [Judy] Again.
- [intense synth music playing]

[Judy] Charly, you were out of line.

[Kelli] You've got to stay behind Lea
on the files. Yes?

[Megan] One, three, five, seven.

Kleine and others, don't chunk your poms.

- [Kleine] Sorry.
- [Judy] I caught you.

[Megan] …five, seven.

[Judy] So let's do it from the end zone,
from "Thunder."

And then we'll go to first quarter.

And then we're gonna do touchdowns,

then move corners,
second quarter, extra point.

[Megan] It's game week, and we've been
going till ten o'clock every night,

running every routine possible.

When we announced the team,
none of the rookies had worn boots,

had jump split.

Now we are finalizing every minute detail

before game day.

Anytime someone asks about auditioning,
I said, "Start running right now."

There is no mercy when it comes
to game day and what's thrown at you.

[Judy] And touchdown.

Move to your second quarter.

[Megan] It never gets easier.

Maybe I'm getting older,
but it's a beast, for sure.

[panting] Good job, girls.

[Judy] We are ready for our third quarter.
And when you come off, it's "Celebration."

[Faith laughing]

- If you don't laugh, you'll cry.
- Yeah.

Yeah, if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

[Judy] Faith,
you know what your mistake was?

[Faith] Yes, ma'am.

[Megan] It's all mental.

[Faith] I want to throw up.
And roll in it.

[Judy] Y'all know
you don't just walk casually.

Ah, she said walk casually? Absolutely.

[Judy] Keep walking, but you don't
just drop your arms and walk.

Aw, damn, got too excited.

[Judy] We still have one more to do
before we take a water break.

When y'all do water on the field,
it'll be in your four corners tonight.

You'll have to come over here,
and then we'll do "Baby" as the finale.

[Faith] No, did she just say "Baby"?

- Yeah. Yeah, babe, she did.
- She did not just say, "Baby I'm a Star."

♪ Baby, I'm a star ♪

[Kelli] Okay, so please welcome,
performing "Baby I'm a Star…"

[Faith] Oh no.

[Kelli] …your Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

[cheerleader] I think
we're just gonna eat it.

- We're eating it.
- [woman] Let's go!

It's very physically taxing
to get through everything

that we ask them to do at a game,

- starting with "Baby I'm a Star."
- ["Baby I'm a Star" by Prince playing]

[Judy] It's just very high-energy,
fast, fun routine.

And it lets the fans really
get to see the girls up close.

[Megan] It's a very, very precise routine.

We're going at a speed
that's like one, two, three, four.

And you have to cross every single count.

[Judy] One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight.

[Kelli] They're literally coming
from all four corners,

and they pass through each other.

If someone's not in the precise spot
or at the right pace, they're gonna crash.

[cheerleader] They're not
crossing through at all.

- Well, you have to lead and show them how.
- But what we just set is not right.

Well, it's gonna be right when I go
through the places I'm supposed to go.

[laughing]

[Megan] If you hold back,
this person's gonna get hurt.

You're gonna collide.

It's just scary. It's so fast.

Someone face-planted
during Caroline's years,

during a performance into the grass.

["Baby I'm a Star"
by Prince continues playing]

- [cheerleader] Okay, let's go.
- ♪ Hey, look me over ♪

- ["Baby I'm a Star" continues]
- ♪ Tell me, do you like what you see? ♪

[Megan] Last year, our first game,
we had a video from the side view,

and our triangle was not in alignment.

Everyone on the Internet thought
that they were professional dancers,

and they knew that our lines were off.

[Kleine] Wait, does this look weird?

[Kleine] People are making
TikTok videos about us.

It's like, "Whoa, okay."

I didn't know y'all cared about, you know,

watch party formation number three
when so-and-so switched places in a line.

It's like, whoa,
I didn't even know about that!

[Judy] Okay, next move.

[all] Yes, ma'am.

[Megan] I was not gonna have it be
an issue this year, so we have to drill…

All right.

[Megan] …and go over
and repetitively do all

of our formations
to make sure we are perfect.

Okay, there we go.

Okay, now got it. Okay, there we go.

- [song continues]
- [Judy] It's fast.

If one person goes down,
they're all gonna go down.

["Baby I'm a Star" continues and fades]

[Kelli] Our phone is "Hey, Siri."
What is our computer?

'Cause she's talked to me,
but I don't know how to make her talk.

Her name's not Siri.

[Judy] Are you sure?

I'm positive! Ask Siri,
"What's the name on the Mac?"

Hey, Siri.

- [Siri] Uh-huh?
- What? Who's the Siri of the Mac?

"Andi Mack is
an American family comedy." No.

[Kelli] Okay.

[Judy] Is it Alexa? No.

- [Kelli] FaceTime video.
- [line ringing]

Let's play,
"Who will answer our FaceTime?"

[line ringing]

Okay, my son won't.

Let's try a daughter.

[line ringing]

- What if this was an emergency?
- [ringing continues]

Did I do Samantha? Let's go John.

[line ringing]

- John always answers.
- [line ringing]

- [ringing continues]
- [both laughing]

Did we try Hannah?

[Kelli] My family
prefers to be behind the scenes.

That's pretty sad.

Okay.

You know, it's exposure.

And some people like that,
and some people don't.

[loud chatter]

[man on loudspeaker] All right, Oxnard.

Welcome to the stage,
the incredibly talented,

world-famous,
often imitated, never equaled,

internationally acclaimed
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders!

- ["Thunderstruck" playing]
- [crowd cheering]

[Kristi] The cheerleaders come for
the opening weekend of camp every summer.

It's the 19th summer the Cowboys
have been in Oxnard, California.

You get the good temperatures,
you get the sunshine.

You can get more quality work in,
from a football standpoint.

- [Kelli] It looks a little Woodstock-ish.
- [crowd cheering wildly]

[Kristi] It doesn't matter
what's happening

on or off the field
with the football team.

The cheerleaders are the cheerleaders,
and there are just as many fans here

to see the DCC
as they are to see the football team.

["American Woman"
by The Guess Who playing]

Some things never change.
That's the love for America's Sweethearts.

["American Woman" continues playing]

[Kelli] Do we recognize that the
added visibility have created new fandom?

Yes, we can see it, feel it, and hear it.

♪ American woman
Stay away from me ♪

♪ American woman
Mama, let me be ♪

[on mic] We are so proud to
have this practice, get this team ready,

build this team in front of you.

I want them to have five Super Bowl rings.

Some of those
have got the talent to do it.

One more hand
for our Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

- ["American Woman" continues playing]
- [fans cheering wildly]

♪ American woman
Listen what I say ♪

[Kelli] We have the energy
and the electricity

to create a great show that appeals
to a lot of people.

The fans today were so cute!
Like, "Oh my gosh, it's the cheerleaders!"

♪ American woman ♪

- ♪ Get away from me… ♪
- [Kleine] And to hear our crowd was bigger

than, like, the Cowboys' practice was,
honestly, that was hilarious.

That was crazy!

This year, we can't leave the hotel.
We have security on our floors.

[cheerleader] At all times. Right.

[fans] Reece! Reece!

That performance was a little
overwhelming for me in a way.

When we're really close,

obviously, it's louder, but sometimes
it gets me a little frazzled.

- [man on mic] Make some noise!
- [fans cheering wildly]

[man] There it is! All right!

[Kelli] Who's your favorite cheerleader?

Reece? Of course.

- She may be here today.
- [Judy] Yeah.

This trip, we're on, and then we're off.
And then we're on, and then we're off.

- That's gotten me really tired.
- Mmm, same.

When we're officially off,
I'm like, "Okay, I'm ready for bed."

- Who's your favorite cheerleader?
- Reece.

- Is she? Reece is here somewhere.
- Really?

I loved your "Gratitude" performance.
It was so beautiful.

- You are my favorite cheerleader.
- Thank you.

- [Kelli] Who's your favorite cheerleader?
- [kid] Reece!

[Kleine] "Reece! We love you, Reece."
It was a little crazy.

["American Woman" continues playing]

[Reece] People look at us
like these celebrities.

I don't know.
I can't wrap my head around it.

[woman] I love Reece, by the way.

- [Judy] Aw.
- I love the boys, but I…

- [Judy] Thank you.
- [woman] You guys do an amazing job.

[woman] I love you guys on Netflix!
Oh my God!

- [Judy laughs] Thank you!
- [song fading]

[Reece] You want to go outside?
She's like, "I don't want to go."

- [whistling]
- [Reece] Ruby!

[Will whistles and clicks tongue]

[Reece] Look, we're all going outside.
Come on, little bear.

Come here!

She said, "Psych!" [laughs]

- [barks]
- Good girl. Shake. That's a good girl.

- [Will] Good girl.
- Mwah!

[Reece] Will and I have definitely

walked through a lot
within our first year of marriage,

and I would say it's been
a very abnormal first year of marriage.

- [guests cheering]
- [introspective music playing]

[Reece] The show came out June 20th, 2024.

[Reece] So cute!

[Reece] So on our two-month anniversary,
our world completely changed.

Definitely took a 180,

and I was not only
trying to navigate being a good wife,

but I also have a new reality.

[Will] It was a learning curve.
We were literally thrown to the wolves,

'cause immediately, people were
messaging Reece wanting her to do this,

wanting her to do that,
and it was brand-new to us,

and we didn't know, so…

We got the…

Quarter-inch.
We don't have any three-eights.

[producer] Are you still employed
at the power washing company?

[Will] Mmm-hmm. Yeah, so I stopped that.

I told my bosses,
and they completely understood it,

'cause I mean, they watch the show.
They understood how big it was.

[on video] Run to Applebee's
with me for the new…

[Will] These are really cool opportunities
that we really can't pass up.

A better alternative
using Hellmann's Mayonnaise.

But it kinda got to a point
where I was telling Reece what to do.

"You need to do this. You need to do this.
This is the deadline for this, for this."

It became more of like a business
partnership rather than a marriage.

[Reece on video] This is truly
my no-sweat secret weapon.

[Reece] It's been an amazing
financial opportunity.

I don't know. It's, like, a blessing,
but also just a really big responsibility.

[pensive music playing]

[Will] Everywhere we go now,
I'm holding her hand,

right there around her,
and I'm always looking out.

[fans yelling] Reece!

[Reece] Now I think it's intensified more,
and we're just trying to be really patient

with each other
and everyone around us too,

'cause I never want people to think like,
"Oh, Reece didn't have time for me,"

or anything like that.

But there's more precautions
you have to take,

and more just awareness
that you have to have

with just grocery shopping.

And it's just so strange,
but we're trying to figure it out.

I think once the show came out,

our thick skin became ten times thicker

with people who just
assume things about you.

As much positivity as I received,
there's also loads…

loads of negativity,

especially in my DMs,
because those are the ones that, like…

people are ready to claw out.

At the end of the day, sometimes those
do get to you, and you're like, "Dang."

What that person said about me
and what they hoped and wished over me,

it can sting a little bit.

[gentle music playing]

[Will] Our whole life
has pretty much flipped.

Reece didn't come out here
to become famous.

[Reece] It's just been so nonstop.

And you look at your other
newlywed friends, and you're like,

"Oh, they're spending
quality time together."

And, you know, "They can go travel,
and they can do this," and all that.

- And it wasn't…
- Some of them are having babies.

[Reece] I'm still trying
to wrap my head around that

the Lord is using me in this way.

I am just a girl who dreamt big,

who has goals, and passions, and dreams.

But, um, I think we really want

to go back to 'Bama eventually.

Both Reece and I
enjoy the smaller town aspect.

In Dallas,
there's also like a faster lifestyle.

And going back home,
it's always a breath of fresh air.

Anytime we go back, I'm like,
"It's a tree. I love seeing trees."

Like just pine trees
for miles, and miles, and miles.

Or cornfields.
You don't get that out here.

But I don't want to sway her opinion
in any way.

I want her to make the decision.

I could see us like
one more year maybe here,

like just at least
trying to figure out what's to come.

But I think
that Alabama is calling us back home.

'Bama's calling.

- We just don't know timing.
- When.

And we're all on the Lord's timing.
That's all that matters.

Yeah.

But I know that the Lord has carried me
through every season and journey.

And I know that's exactly
what He's gonna continue to do.

And so I'm excited to see
what's to come in the future.

[Kleine] Let me get my makeup.

I'm just gonna do it in here,
'cause the natural light…

[Kat] Also, where's your PR stuff?
Where's stuff that you don't want anymore?

[Kleine] Do you want a pair of leggings
or workout anything?

[Kat] Yeah, a pair of shorts
a girl would lose her mind over.

[Kleine] It's new.
I just had to wear it for a brand deal.

- Okay. We'll start with that.
- I'll take the pads out.

[Kat] We'll see what we can rack up
by the end of the night.

[Kleine] Listen, it's gonna be a lot. Um…

So I had to have
a sort of sit-down social media thing.

- [Kat] With the girls?
- Yes.

So much stuff had been
happening online and just people,

they just didn't know what they
didn't know in terms of what to post

and what not to post.

I had several hard truths
that I had to say,

that I was like, "If you came here
to do all of this on social media

and get this big following or whatever,
and you're not here to dance,

then we won't see you next year."

[dramatically] Get! Get out!

Yeah! Well, no, seriously.
I literally said that.

- I was like, "Then don't try out."
- Don't try out.

Because I feel like this group
of new Netflix girls

- are very social media heavy.
- Yes.

[Kat] And now everyone,
even girls who are auditioning are like…

- [Kleine] I know.
- …influencers, compared to obviously,

when we were on the other show,

no one really was
in this influencer world.

I mean, you know, we used to have
separate Instagrams for…

- [Kat] Hoo-ah!
- I know!

And so for me in particular,
I've been like,

"Hey, this is a great way for us
to branch out and support ourselves."

And this should be about lifting women up
and lifting us up in that success.

Wow! My hair is, like, astronomically big.

[woman] She looks so good.

[Judy] The girls
are now becoming influencers,

which I have fought in the past.

Okay, guys, it's the end of the week.
It's Friday…

[Judy] But they're becoming
so successful with it,

so they're not having to k*ll themselves
with a nine-to-five job.

[Kleine] Rapid-fire,
ten-minute makeup routine. Let's go.

[Kelli] Now athletes in college
have name and image likeness rights

and different people within a locker room
get different major deals.

So it's evolving,

and I'm having to adjust,
and I'm conflicted.

Okay, so I'll go right here.

And then I'll say,
"Ariel's here. Abby's here. Kelly's here."

"You know who else is here?"

[Megan] America's Sweethearts
has opened up a ton of opportunities.

Some girls who've been
featured on the show a ton

are going to naturally
have a lot more opportunities.

Life's been good. I cannot complain.

Now I'm just doing social media
full-time, mainly brand deals.

And that's been really fun.

Just finished at Walmart.
We got our girl a new bike…

You know, it all varies, but it can go
anywhere from $5,000 for me right now

to, like, $50,000.

So a lot more than
I was making sitting at my nine-to-five.

That I can confirm.

I mean, this platform
and this show has changed people's lives.

It's shifted kinda the whole culture,
I think, of the program.

[Megan] And some girls have been able
to live solely off of doing social media.

- Have to film a brand deal in the morning.
- [woman] What?

Yeah. I don't want to talk about it.
Charlotte Tilbury brand deal, makeup.

- You have to film that on Sunday?
- It's due Monday.

- I know you're getting bank off of that.
- Yeah.

Tell me how much you're making off that.

Guys, I can't believe the money
in social media. It is insane.

- Faith was found on TikTok, right?
- [Kleine] I know! That's how they recruit.

[Kat] So it's like, we can't blame you
for obviously…

'Cause you were
being yourself before then.

But then you come into this organization,
and it's like, you gotta shape-shift.

Coming from when we were on the team

and then shifting into this,
they're just being thrown right into it.

They're throwing themselves into it.

The change is coming,
and it's gonna be challenging.

It's a requirement to be a great dancer,

to be beautiful, to be well-spoken.

Now, it's almost like,

are we throwing in "public figure"
with those other words or not?

It would be really hard
to not want any of that.

Uniform fittings was the first time Kelli
saw you in the uniform and the ponytail.

What was her reaction?

"Ariana Grande" is all she had to say.
Which I was like, "That's amazing."

- Was that okay or too long?
- No, perfect.

I just get yappy.
I start going off into my own world.

No, that was good.

- [Faith] What are you wearing?
- [Kate] The Faith T-shirt.

[Faith] Oh my gosh, it's gonna be so cute.

Are you gonna wear a ponytail tonight?

- [Kate] Yeah.
- Rude not to.

[Kate] Don't remember the last time
I wore my hair down.

- [Faith] It's genetic, the ponytail.
- Want to start?

- [Faith] Okay.
- Okay, there's pony.

- [Faith] It actually looks good.
- And, like… It does.

All right, brush your hair
and then let's chuck her in.

Chuck her in. So do you think that's
where the ponytail's gonna go in?

- Yeah.
- Yeah, and if we tease this?

- Yeah. Get your hands out of the way.
- Sorry.

[Kate] I feel like I've always just been
a pony girl. She's got four sisters.

You know, five kids. You don't have time
in the morning to be sitting there

doing a full American blowout hairstyle.

So, yes, I am the original ponytail, 100%.

[Kate] All right.

Chuck her in.
And she needs to be clipped in.

- I'm aware of… I'm aware.
- She needs to be…

You're the best, thanks. Claws in.

- Put your head down.
- Put your head down and shut up.

Exactly. Stop talking.

- Lift your head. Get your hands out of it.
- Sorry.

Oh God, I feel anxious.

Me and Faith
have very similar personalities.

Things just have to be right.

And if they're not going right,
then we can't cope.

[Faith] Everyone's like, "It must be
so much easier having a ponytail."

It is when you're out there doing it,
but it has to be perfect,

'cause everyone's looking at it.

[Kate] Just squeeze it in
as much as you can.

- [Faith] I know.
- Will you whip it round?

I'd be surprised if that moved.

- Yeah. Feels good.
- It feels good?

- [Faith] Yeah. Let's style a pony.
- Cool.

- [Kate] Style a pony.
- Yeah. Let's get it styled.

I have to remind myself
that having a mental breakdown

and stressing about it isn't gonna help.

But, you know,
sometimes it's better out than in.

And it's just Mom
that just has to pick up the pieces.

- Mom helps. Aw, you…
- All the time.

[Faith] Mom is an absolute icon.

I would not be sitting here without her.

She is one of the strongest women
I've ever witnessed.

And I think growing up,
having her as a single mom is just,

yeah, everything and more.

Faith was around ten, 11 when we moved
from New Zealand to Australia.

Me and her dad split.
And, yeah, it was me and my girls.

The girls were an age where

they were old enough
to make that decision for themselves.

And Faith chose not to have
anything to do with her dad.

She didn't agree with ways that he'd
sort of treated myself and the family.

But Faith took from that, "I 100% never
want to be in that position."

So she's completely run
with it the other way and been like,

"I'm not gonna accept anything less,"
which is great.

That's exactly what you want,
you know, for your children.

[gentle music playing]

[Faith] I was never given everything
on a silver platter.

That's where the breakdowns,
the meltdowns, and the anxiety comes from.

I've matured a lot,

and I understand that
it's normal to feel like this.

It shows that you care,

and you're caring
about what you're working towards.

Now it's time
for something bigger and better.

And I think it's gonna shape me
into a better dancer, a stronger person.

We work well under pressure.
She worked her butt off.

I'm so proud of her
and so excited for her.

- How are you feeling?
- Yeah, I think it's good.

Looks nice. It's a good height.

- She feels really good.
- There you go.

- Did you see that hair whip?
- I saw that.

♪ Helicopter, helicopter ♪

- Dear God.
- It's giving helicopter.

It's giving, yeah.
But it's a really nice height.

Feel like they're gonna like that height.
And your hair is blending better with it.

I think it feels really good.

Well, look at that.
Mother knows best yet again.

[cheerleader] What up?
It's game day!

"Last time a raven was relevant

was Edgar Allan Poe."

That's crazy!

[all cheering]

- [Brenley] Happy game day, my girl.
- How do you feel?

I feel excited, terrified that I'm
watching my first football game

while cheering for it.

- I keep forgetting about that.
- My gosh! It's your first football game.

I'm gonna look over and go,
"What is going on?"

Girl, am I gonna know
when the touchdown happens?

[Brenley] You're gonna know.

The crowd's gonna be like…

[expectant music playing]

Please, brush your hair.

Congrats, Faith. See below.
Has approved your following visa.

Let's go!

- My visa, girl! I got my visa!
- [Kleine] Ahh!

Guys, Faith got her visa!

[all cheering]

- I can be in the country!
- [all clamoring]

[Kelli on mic] So for the six rookies,
this is when we kind of want to brief you

on the game at hand
against these Baltimore Ravens.

- Let's give it up for Kristi.
- [all] Whoo!

[Kristi on mic] All right.

So think of the preseason game
as your DCC auditions.

And the reason why I love
the preseason home opener,

there are people that are gonna be

at their very first Cowboy game ever
in their lives.

The first time they see the Dallas
Cowboys Cheerleaders with their own eyes,

it's a really special opportunity for you
rookies to make a strong first impression.

So every time that you make
eye contact with a fan,

or you see a little girl or boy,
and you give them a little shimmer,

it may be the only interaction they ever
have in their whole lives with the DCC,

and they'll remember it. So I think
that's what makes preseason special.

- [cheerleader] Whoo!
- [man] Happy game day.

[Kelli] Hi.

- [Faith] Aww!
- [man] Happy game day.

- [woman] Happy game day.
- Thank you. Stay strong.

[Kelli] All right. In ten minutes,

six of you will have your first game.

Preseason.

Some of us may have our first game
of our last season.

I wrote "present" on the board
because that would be my advice to you is

to be very present

in this game.

Be very focused in this game,
love the details.

Where's my girl Jenna? You'd love
that hash mark that we gave you.

Y'all love the foot closures.
You love the head pops.

Love the details,
'cause those small things

are what's gonna make
the big things happen today.

We know you've got it. You've got this.

- [cheerleader 1] Come on, Jenna.
- [cheerleader 2] First time.

[woman] First game, you got this.
You're gonna be beautiful.

[Jenna] Tell me something funny, quick!
Quick, tell me a joke!

I don't have anything funny to say,
but I'm proud of you. You got this.

[woman] We need to get going. Come on.

[cheerleader] Happy first game.
Last first.

- [Megan] Go, Cammy!
- I'm proud of you.

- [Megan] Love you.
- I love you.

- I love you, girl.
- Honored that you're my leader. Thank you.

You're gonna k*ll it.

[exhilarating music playing]

Oh my gosh.

I could scream. I need to, like, scream.

- [cheerleader shrieks]
- [shrieks]

It's happening!

Ahh!

[Kelli] Here we go!

[crowd cheering]

[cheerleader] Oh! Here we go!

[all] Five, six, seven, eight!

[man on mic] Ladies and gentlemen,
here they are…

[cheerleader] Two.

- Three.
- [cheerleader] Wow!

[cheerleader] Four!

- Turn!
- [crowd cheering wildly]

["Thunderstruck" by AC/DC
playing on stadium speakers]

[crowd cheering wildly]

♪ Thunder ♪

Whoo!

♪ Thunder ♪

♪ Thunder ♪

Whoo!

Let's go, Tori!

♪ I was shakin' at the knees ♪

Go, Kleine!

♪ Could I come again, please? ♪

♪ Yeah, them ladies were too kind ♪

♪ You've been thunderstruck! ♪

♪ Thunderstruck ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, thunderstruck ♪

♪ You've been thunderstruck! ♪

- [song finishes playing]
- [crowd cheering wildly]

[darkly introspective music playing]

- [mouse clicks]
- [introspective music continues]

- Thank you!
- [crowd cheering]

- Thank you.
- [fan yelling]

[darkly introspective music continues]

[Megan] Good job!

Good job, Faithy.

I know what's going on. I think.

[darkly introspective music continues]

[woman] Two.

We lost.

- DCC won!
- [fans cheering]

I'm proud of you. You did it.

- [cheerleader 1] We did it!
- [cheerleader 2] We did it!

- I can't feel my limbs.
- I know.

My feet are insane, but so good.
It's the best feeling ever.

I'm not gonna be able to walk tomorrow.

[Faith] Abby, my girl,
while you're there, 'cause you love me…

- This is your first game present from me.
- This is princess treatment. You got it.

Dang, girl! What the… What the heck?

[laughing] I told you she was tight!

- [Kelli] All right!
- [Judy] Okay, let's circle up.

[Kelli] Most of my notes are good.

I'm so stiff. Okay.

Uh, "Faith, good show."

[all clapping]

"Camille…" Okay, these are audio notes.
"Camille, let's have a pretty butt off."

- [Camille laughing]
- Wow!

Don't know what that means there,
Camille, but, um…

What I know I did notice
is I noticed Camille more…

Where are you?

You're happier. You're brighter.
You just look like you're having more fun.

Um, Emmy, good… Who's Emmy?

[Judy] Say it's you.

What, is it good or bad?

They would be near Camille and near Jenna.

Emmy? "Good show."

[laughs] Say it. Take it.
Somebody go, "It was me."

[all laughing]

[Kelli] Broo.

[Judy] Broo?

Broo, I think, is Brooklyn. [laughs]

"Broo, better energy this game
than last season. Better use of your…"

"Better use
of your space in wide stances."

And, Parker, I think I told you.
You were real effective on the field.

- [Parker] Wow!
- [cheerleader] Yeah, Parker!

[cheerleader vocalizing]

[cheerleader] ♪ I said
"Baby, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt" ♪

♪ Dog, I'm a mutt ♪

[cheerleader] Uh-uh.
I'm not eating grapes. No way.

- [woman 1] I'll take one of those.
- [woman 2] You don't like blue raspberry?

I'll take two, maybe three.

[Faith] Wow, this is a good video.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [Faith] Up close, hey.

[pensive music playing]

[cheerleader] We all do it.
We get on the bus after a game,

and we are going on TikTok
and we're like, "Hashtag DCC."

[Megan] "I'm sorry,
but she needed to retire."

"No need for a fifth year."

"This is not the technique
or stage presence

of a fifth-time veteran."

Mmm-hmm.

[Ava] "I'm going to get hate for this,
but she gives mean girl vibes."

"She seems full of herself
in the worst way."

"LMAO. Touching her hair
every five seconds,

watching herself in the mirror every
chance she got. I was like, 'Stop it.'"

[pensive music continues]

"Seems like the weakest link. I wish she
would've waited till she graduated,

so she would have grown up a bit,
as maturity overall was an issue."

"Totally expected
and normal for an 18-year-old."

"She doesn't have
great precision like the others."

"Looks like bad training
slash poor style match."

"I'm so surprised they picked her."

"She only made the team
because she was a sob story on TV."

"She is cheapening the brand."

"Someone needs to do
some quality control quickly. LOL."

[laughing]

How can you call someone a mean girl
when you're the one posting

about other people?
Like, that's so interesting.

And I wonder if they've
thought that about themselves, but…

If you're not on the team,
you don't know the dynamic.

You don't know anybody. You're just
watching everybody on a TV show.

So I think a lot of people look at us

as characters and not as human beings.

[Caroline] "Bunch of religious weirdos."

"The God and Him talk is nauseating."

"Some of these ladies
are really dumb, aren't they?" [sniffling]

"Like, these girls have no reality
of where the world is going."

I do forgive people like that.

And I think that's why I stopped
reading comments several months ago

because I knew
how it was affecting me, so…

[Jenna] It's as if, like, you take all
of your deepest insecurities

and thousands of people are like,
"Agree! Agree! Agree!"

[Faith] "She didn't know what DCC even was
until she saw it was on Netflix."

"She has never
seen the DCC culture or history."

"It just doesn't feel organic at all.
More like a career move."

"Like she said in one of her posts,
'Fake it till you make it.'"

- [somber music playing]
- [Faith softly] Whoa.

[sighs] Sorry. This is like…

Ugh! I told myself, "You, like…"
[voice breaking] Gosh, sorry, wow.

It's like…

It's easier said than done to be like

you're not gonna get offended
by things that people say.

But at the end of the day,
I think people need to remind themselves

that we are normal humans.

We have feelings
and are gonna read things you say.

Everyone's like, "Don't read comments.
Don't look at that."

But deep down, we want to know
what people are saying about us.

Whether it hurts or not.

[Kelli] When the girls
put themselves out there

and then get comments
or read things about them

that are either A, not true, or B, just…

unkind,

I've seen the side effects of that,

to the point where I think sometimes words

can break spirits,
and that part, I don't like.

I'm gonna get protective like a mother.

I don't like the girls
reading ugly things about them

from people that aren't
in the locker room.

- That is a high price to pay for this.
- [music fades into background]

[Kelli] Anna. Okay, tell me.

What are people picking on you about?

[Anna Kate] So,
I think just with the first season,

people would comment
on my own posts, like,

[crying softly] "You shouldn't be here.
You only made it 'cause of your sister."

It's kind of magnified a little bit.

TikTok keeps banning comments
because they're, like, so rude.

[Kelli] That shocks me.

[Anna Kate] And it's like, "You shouldn't
be on the team. No one likes you."

"Everyone hates you."

A lot of people are assuming that I was

the one who sent
that recording to you all.

And that I…

Based on me saying that I…

came here to dance
and didn't come here for money,

people are assuming I didn't believe
we should have a pay raise.

[Kelli] Well, first of all,
nobody on the team sent me a video.

Oh my God, Anna Kate, then the only thing
you can know is your own truth.

[Anna Kate] I know that.

[Kelli] You're one of the highest
respected ones in this locker room,

from your teammates and us.

[Anna Kate] Thank you.

[Kelli] So I hope you're smart enough
to know that those are idiots.

- And you're wasting your energy on those.
- Yeah, energy.

Well, your team loves you,
and we love you.

[laughs] I've had a lot of hate.

Um…

I, even my rookie year,
received a lot of hate.

My sister told me going in, she was like,

"A lot of people hated me,
and they're not even gonna see you dance,

and they're more than likely gonna hate
you too. So just try to ignore that."

Oh, girl!

- [Anna Kate] ♪ Chassé ♪
- A new DCC has entered the villa.

Oh my gosh!

My blonde little baby.

Do you love it?
Do you feel like a superhero?

- [Anna Kate] Yeah.
- So cute.

[sighs] I might change.

It took me a second
to maybe even understand

or validate how she was feeling.

'Cause I thought, "Oh, who cares?
I was on the team. I got hate too."

"Get over it."

And it wasn't until I took a step back

and realized now
the audience is worldwide.

If there's one that comes, okay.
But imagine, like, boom, boom, boom!

It's just one after the other,
and then a billion likes on it.

Eventually, those rocks are adding up,
and it's just exhausting.

[Anna Kate] I'd see people say,
"No one on the team likes Anna Kate."

I would let that get to me, and I'd be
so scared and think, "Is that true?"

And literally overthinking, like,
"I have to smile this whole time."

"I can't say something wrong,
can't have my tone sound a different way,

because then people will be like,

'She is rude.
She is boring. She is this.'"

Sorry, I don't like to cry.

[voice breaking] Um…

[crying softly] It's too much.

And then the whole time I perform,
I just sit there, and I think,

"These people are filming me.
They hate me. They will post this,

and then more people will hate me."

I kept it to myself a lot,

from my friends for a lot of the season.

Because you don't want to complain,
'cause you're like,

"Everyone's dealing with it."

[Megan] AK, she is phenomenal

and very, very dependable.

She's awesome.

Anna Kate, is she getting beat up
on social media? Is that affecting her?

[Megan] Yeah. I think so.

I think it hurts,
especially as teammates, to seeing people

who have no idea who they are here

and the amazing things
they contribute to this team.

- [Kelli] So she needs some love.
- Just a little love would be good.

- [Judy] Thank you.
- [Megan] Mmm-hmm.

- [woman 1] Okay.
- [woman 2] Hello.

- [woman] Hey, y'all. How we doing?
- [Kelli] Hello.

[Judy] Scoot in or…

It says it seats 12, and we're ten.

- [woman] That's cool.
- So we'll fit.

Throw this here.
Does anyone want to put their purses?

[Kelli] How many people
have the same purse?

- [woman] All of us.
- [Kelli] Chicken-fried chicken here.

I've never had chicken-fried chicken.

[Kelli] Okay, well, study your menus,
and I'll tell y'all our game.

Hi, ladies. Do you want
some appetizers to start?

[Kleine] Could I have a lemon, please?

- Absolutely. Anything else for you?
- [Kelli] Can I have lime with my water?

- Lemon and lime.
- [Kleine] Little twist.

[Kelli] Nothing like Kelli and Kleine
having opposite citruses.

[both laughing]

[Judy] No. When's summer break?

- Hey, today, together we're squared.
- And cheers.

[Megan] Who was the…

- [Kelli] Are y'all ready to start?
- [woman] I'm scared.

No, it's fun. Okay, so you
remember I gave y'all this book, right?

Has anybody cracked it?

It's about coaching with heart.
It's about leadership.

In here, there was a bunch of stuff that
I took as questions to y'all as leaders.

And so you get to pick a question
and answer it to the group.

[Megan] Okay, that's fun.

Kelee, would you like to be first?

- [women] Go, Kelee!
- [Kleine] Excellent.

[Kelee] It says…

It says, "When are you at your best
as a leader? What contributes to it?"

"And how can you bring this
to your trade more consistently?"

[Megan] That's a good question.

"What is the greatest misconception
about you as a leader?"

"How could you change it
if you wanted to?"

"How do you deal with criticism?"

You have two choices
when you get criticism.

You can either crumble,
and cry, and throw a fit, or you can say,

"No, this is an opportunity to grow,
and I can come back better tomorrow."

I would just want to continue
to show that empathy and accountability

can go hand in hand with one another.

[Megan] Perfect.

Okay. "What do you need
to continue doing that you are doing

in order to be the leader you are?"

Like, if I woke up tomorrow and thought,

"I'm tired,
I don't want to do this anymore,"

then I know it's time.

- But I don't ever have that feeling yet.
- [woman] Aww.

Because I think
y'all make me happy every year.

[all] Aww!

[Kleine] Judy, you love us?

[Judy] I do! I hesitate to say that,
'cause I don't mean to not, 'cause…

- Well, we love you more.
- Okay, I'll take it.

[woman laughing]

It kind of surprises me
that I don't think they know we do.

- [Judy] I know.
- You should say it more.

Yeah.

- How? In what way?
- "Kleine, I love you."

Just maybe at the end
of a rehearsal. Like, "I love you guys."

- Something simple.
- You need to hear the words "I love you"?

[woman] I'm a words of affirmation girl,
for sure.

I think it would mean so much.

- [Kelli] Okay.
- Yeah.

[Kelli] I feel like I'm looking for…

That's too little of a font.
I can't read that one.

- Oh God!
- [Judy] Go ahead, we're listening.

"What is sacrifice
and suffering for you as a leader,

and how do you best cope with either?"

[women] Hmm.

I would say I don't suffer at all,

but the sacrifice of my time
with my children can bear on my heart.

[gentle music playing]

I guess if I ever sense distress
within the team,

and I think we all felt
a little bit of that…

last year, and what can be done about it…

What we're doing now,
trying to pour ourselves into each other

and make sure
that we stay united, harmonious.

[Megan] That's great.

And I love you.

- [Kleine] Yes! Yes!
- [laughing]

More! More!

- Again!
- Again!

- [Kelli] Amen.
- [all] Amen.

- [woman] And we love you.
- [Kelli] And we love y'all.

[gentle music fading]

- [Judy] Okay! So y'all come in.
- [Kleine] Good job, girls.

[all exclaiming]

Good job, Kel.

- [indistinct chatter]
- [Judy] Okay. Second triangle.

All of y'all are important on the field
because you're all somebody's front row.

As a matter of fact, you're all somebody's
point of the triangle from some angle.

Whoever's there has
to know what they're doing.

You have to be on the beat.

You have to be able to lead the team.
We're gonna do something different.

We're gonna alternate.

For game one, Kelee, come to the point.

- [Megan] Yes, Kelee!
- [all screaming and cheering]

[Kleine] Yes, Kelee!

[screaming and cheering continues]

- [woman 1] Proud of you! You deserve this!
- [woman 2] Y'all, give her some room.

Let her breathe!

[women] Kelee!

Pop off!

Now, then.

We're rotating the next time

to Lea going to the point.

[all screaming and cheering]

- Are we gonna hug every time we put--
- I guess. Yeah.

[Judy] One more.

For the next game, Tori's gonna go
to the point of the triangle.

[screaming and cheering resumes]

[screaming and cheering continues]

Get over there, girl. You take that spot.

[woman] Get 'em, Tori!

- [woman] Yeah, Tor! Wait, this is so fun!
- Sorry, I pushed you a little hard.

- [crying] I was not expecting that.
- [Judy] Okay.

- [woman] I don't know where I'm going now.
- [Judy] I know.

[woman] Oh man…

Isn't that fun?

[women] That is fun!

- Congratulations. We're proud of y'all.
- [all clapping]

[Judy] Okay.

Today, we're gonna do game one though.

Kelli and Judy are a lot more cognizant
of how we are feeling.

[emotional music playing]

[Kleine] They want us to start

building something more here.

Here's your present.
Coaching with Heart. One of my favorites.

Okay. Yay.

You all get one.
I want to start a positive book club.

- [woman] I love this.
- Thank you.

We have a book club going,
and we're doing self-help books,

and leaning on each other.

[Kelli] Quick, easy chapters.

Yeah.

Oh, Taoism…

Taoism.

- What the hell is "Taoism"?
- [laughing]

In our culture club…

That's why I'm calling y'all that,
'cause I want us to have the best culture.

If there's a veteran
that y'all think needs some love

or some something, tell us that too.

Yes, ma'am.

[Megan] This year especially,

everything's just
a little bit more leveled.

We're all kind of receiving the same hate.

They're starting to understand
how it's felt for us.

They get it, and they're
more understanding, and they're with us.

It has become more of a challenge
to go out in the public eye.

I don't like going to grocery stores.

Sometimes I sit in my car for 20 minutes,
gearing myself up.

"Okay, go in, Judy.
Just put your head down and go in."

I really don't go out unless I'm dressed,

made up.

You can't ever hide.
And sometimes you just want

to be able to go sit
in a corner somewhere and hide.

Kelli's crying.

[crying] I'm crying
'cause it's my mother's birthday,

and I'm very emotional.

And I can't say that to you 'cause I still
have my mother to have birthdays with.

And then I have a family member
who's 12 days sober,

so we're happy for that.

[woman] That's awesome.

And then a funny thing is

Joel, my husband, had a lizard
that we were nursing to keep alive.

And we lost the lizard yesterday.

And then today I was trying
to make my bed and pick up pillows.

This little quarter-inch
new lizard went through my bedroom,

and somehow I was excited

- that we had a new lizard.
- [all laughing and exclaiming]

'Cause I was like,
there's life that goes on.

So anyway, I'm kind of emotional
'cause it's my mom's birthday and…

Y'all know as much as we do
how we all sacrifice so much time,

but sometimes
you just want to be with your family.

- And y'all are our family.
- Don't make us cry, Kelli.

I'm already there.

And every night, I know there's


You're trying to get through this.

And don't hesitate to reach out
to someone in your group.

You can talk to us.
Everybody's here for each other.

Seriously, when we were having this
intense meeting about the triangle today,

I'm thinking,

in the big picture of life, the triangle,
the fact that you're here is what matters.

It doesn't matter where you are
in the triangle. It matters that you're

here in the triangle, right?

[all] Yes, ma'am.

I needed that cry. Thank you, Judy.
Call your moms if you can.

Take care of a lizard if you can.

[all chuckling]

I say let's do a group hug
and then break out.

Anybody else want a hug?

- Everybody, come on, group hug.
- [woman] I'm sweaty though.

- [Kleine] I know. They don't care.
- Kelee, I'm proud of you.

[Kelee] Thank you.

- [Kelli] I'm proud of you.
- Thank you so much, Kelli.

- [Kleine] Let's have our four new points.
- [woman] Yeah.

[all cheering]

[cheerleaders] One, two, three, DCC! Whoo!

[cheerleader fading] Happy birthday,
Kelli's mom!

[indistinct chatter and laughter]

[Kristi on mic] I'm so excited
for you rookies,

because your first regular season
Dallas Cowboys home game

is a historic game.

It is the 1,000th regular season game
in the history of the Dallas Cowboys.

[women cheering]

[Kristi] We're starting in a new era.

And I just hope that it
manifests itself in this home opener,

'cause it really just wasn't
a good showing last year.

So, a lot to look forward to today.

Okay, well, enjoy game 1,000

and let's see if we can get
win number 574 today. All right.

- [Faith] I need to breathe.
- It's like your first game again.

I feel way more nervous.

I've never felt this anxious.

We just did "Baby," and not even in boots.

I think that's why I'm so anxious.
We've only done it twice.

We're not anxious. We're excited.

- We're excited.
- Trick your brain that we're excited.

It's all a mind game,
we just gotta tell ourselves.

- [expectant music playing]
- [inaudible]

[Kleine] As performers, you have to…

put away the stuff of the day
and the negatives from the week before,

whatever you're going through at home,

and you kinda have to come
and be able to perform.

[Reece] The exposure of performing
in front of a lot of people

is a big responsibility.

But I'm still a real human being that
has a lot of flaws, and I'm imperfect.

In DCC land, we've all had online hate,

and I think now
it's gotten way more prevalent.

[Anna Kate] It makes you just second guess
every single thing that you're doing.

Last year, I was like,
"I cannot do it again."

And I was like very sad.
Like, "I cannot do it again."

I would cry before every game because
I was so scared of people saying things.

But you have to just push it aside.
And the off-season, I think,

I just had a turning point where
I was like, "I want to do this again."

For myself, for my teammates,
I want to be here.

So why am I letting these people online
make me not want to be here?

When I love my friends,
I love what we get to do.

Circle.

Three minutes, we're walking.

Let's do it.

- [woman 1] Getting nervous. Come on, girl.
- [woman 2] Your hair looks good.

[Megan] You've worked hard for this.

So let's enjoy
this first real season game.

Just enjoy that moment that you're in,
and you're gonna feel really cool.

So just take that on.

We're going up staircase.
It's tight. It's fast.

And then we'll take our two corners.

Happy first Lite House.

- [cheerleaders] Love you!
- [tense music playing]

["Baby I'm a Star" by Prince playing]

[cheerleader] Five, six, seven…

- [upbeat song continues]
- [crowd cheering]

♪ Hey, look me over ♪

♪ Tell me, do you like what you see? ♪

♪ Hey, check it all out ♪

♪ Baby, I know what it's all about ♪

♪ Before the night is through
You will see my point of view ♪

♪ Even if I have to scream and shout ♪

♪ Baby, I'm a star ♪

♪ You see what I'm all about
If I gotta scream and shout ♪

♪ Baby, baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

- ♪ Ooh! ♪
- [song stops]

[crowd cheering]

[woman on mic] Give it up
for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!

[cheering continues]

[Kleine] Good job, y'all!
First Lite House down.

[woman] I thought it was the wrong music.
Like, "Wait."

- We ate that entrance anyway.
- We just tried to whack each other.

Oh my God, baby, I was like, "Hi, girl.
I'm really on top of you right now."

We "Thunder" sooner than usual.

[expectant music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[Judy] They're doing "Thunder."
They're going straight into player intros,

which is running across the field again.

Then they go straight into kickoff
into their corners,

and they never stop dancing
until the end of the game.

[commentator] Off we go.
The home opener for the Cowboys.

[Judy] Once they're on that field,

there's no real breaks or anything.

[Megan] Three! Five, six!

[Kelli] Within those three hours,

music, and endorphins, all that energy,
especially if you're winning,

can help them.

[crowd cheering]

[Kelli] Get in! Get in! Get in!

[crowd cheering wildly]

[mouthing] Perfect.

- [crowd cheering]
- [uplifting music building]

- [man on mic] Ladies and gentlemen…
- Five, six.

…the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!

[man] You know what's cool about them?
They look like they are having fun.

They are. They've been up
since four o'clock this morning.

[Kelee] Way to push! I'm tired.

[cheerleader] Good.

[Kelee] The second I hit
that threshold of my home?

Gone!

[cheerleader] I can't lift my arms.

If this becomes overtime, I'll die.

- [cheerleader] They're gonna kick it.
- [crowd cheering]

[commentator] Aubrey,
does he have enough?

On the way! It is good!

[crowd cheering wildly]

- Overtime, baby!
- [both laughing]

[Judy] Our favorite.

[cheerleader 1] Never mind.
There's more left to give, apparently.

[cheerleader 2] So do I get overtime pay?

Dear Lord. I don't even think I can watch.

Well…

[commentator] Prescott will look to throw.
He's in trouble. Can't take a sack.

He won't. He'll run
right down the middle, inside the 30.

[crowd cheering]

- [commentator] A chip shot for Aubrey.
- [cheerleader] We got this!

- We have three on the clock.
- [Judy] Oh my gosh.

[Kelee] Come on!

[commentator] Aubrey got it
into overtime and now wins it!

What a ball game.

- Cowboys in OT.
- [crowd cheering]

["Everything's Alright"
by Yvonne Elliman playing]

♪ Try not to get worried ♪

♪ Try not to turn on to ♪

♪ Problems that upset you, oh ♪

♪ Don't you know everything's all right? ♪

♪ Yes, everything's fine ♪

♪ And we want you to sleep well tonight ♪

♪ Let the world turn without you tonight ♪

♪ If we try, we'll get by ♪

♪ So forget all about us tonight ♪

♪ Everything's all right, yes ♪

♪ Sleep and I shall soothe you ♪

♪ Calm you and anoint you ♪

♪ Myrrh for your hot forehead ♪

♪ And then you'll feel
Everything's all right… ♪

Overtime, baby! [laughing]

♪ And it's cool
And the ointment's sweet… ♪

- We did it, Morgan!
- I know!

[cheerleader] We gave everything we had.

[cheerleader] There's no more in the tank.
Don't ask me for nothing else!

- [song fading into background]
- [cheerleader] Whoo!

[laughs] Look at them!

Yes, we did it!

[all cheering]

That was insane.

Faith, they won!

Yay!

That was insane.
Guys, the audience as well,

I was getting goose bumps every time.
I was getting so into it. It was insane.

Unreal. Does that happen often
when they add another ten minutes?

Were you like, "Wait, why is there more?"

I looked at the clock
and said, "Am I tripping?"

She turns to me.
She goes, "What's happening?"

[all] ♪ Win, win, win, no matter what ♪

♪ Got money on my mind
I can never get enough ♪

♪ And every time I step up in the building
Everybody's hands go up ♪

♪ And they stay there
And they stay there ♪

♪ And they stay there
Up, down, up, down, up, down ♪

♪ 'Cause all I do is win, win, win, win ♪

- ["Everything's Alright" continues]
- ♪ Close your eyes and relax ♪

♪ Think of nothing tonight ♪

♪ Close your eyes, close your eyes ♪

[song slowly fading into background]

[Reece] Coming in as a rookie, I was like,
"I want to do this for five years."

"I want to keep going."

But sometimes it's a lot.

Sometimes you do feel pulled.

You know, having to feel refueled,
and having that fire…

sometimes can just really weigh on you.

I have really considered,
you know, what life is gonna look like.

Do I do another year? I don't want
to just rip off the Band-Aid and retire.

Or is the Lord calling me to do more?

[producer] You talk about
pondering retirement.

What are you currently feeling?

[laughing] Well…

Hmm.

["Everything's Alright"
continues in background]

- [song stops]
- [pensive music playing]