03x07 - Leap of Faith

[bunniefuu]

[crowd cheering]

Yeah, we're gonna get
the first down right here.

We're gonna get the first down right here.

[crowd cheering wildly]

- [cheering continues]
- [majestic music playing]

[inaudible]

Yeah, let's go!

Win, lose, or tie,
I'll be a Cowboy till I die.

I'll tell you one thing, it's our year.

Our year.

[man] When it comes to the Cowboys,
America's Team,

people either love 'em or hate 'em.

- How 'bout them Cowboys? Let's go!
- [crowd cheering]

Let's go, baby!

Here in Texas, we love our football,
and we love our Dallas Cowboys.

This is our house!
We gonna protect this house!

[man] My dad was a real cowboy.
He used to ride bulls for a living.

He took me to my first Cowboy game

when I was about four, five years old.

[majestic music continues]

We had the nosebleed seats
at Texas Stadium.

My dad sat me down, and I turned around,

and saw that field down there
with a star right in the middle.

Ever since that day,

I had to have everything
that had a star on it, it seemed like,

that had the Cowboys on it.

[ethereal music playing]

It's the official
unofficial Dallas Cowboy Museum.

This is all done by a fan.

Here's the bobbleheads.
They go all the way back to 1960.

In the very beginning,
they were made out of paper.

Trash cans from the '60s.

Dallas Cowboy choppers.



[uplifting music playing]

[Stoney] This generation needs
to see the Cowboys win,

'cause they don't know
what America's Team means.

They don't know
why we call 'em America's Team.

[uplifting music continues]

If you look at the product on the field,
it's been several sad lifetimes

for Cowboys fans.

But on the other hand,
there are so many Cowboy fans out there

and they all get jacked up
with the possibilities

of what's to come.

[chuckling] But every year,
the outcome breaks hearts.

[Stoney] Life's so much easier
when they win.

[voice breaking] You know, if we could
just get back to where we once were,

it would be awesome.

- [fans cheering]
- [majestic music playing]

[Joe Nick] The cheerleaders,

they're the best things to watch
about the Dallas Cowboys.

You watch the football team,
they're gonna break your heart.

The cheerleaders are gonna leave you
with a smile. What's your choice?

[Judy] There's fans
just to see the cheerleaders now.

They come out and scream for the girls,

and you see grown women
dressing up as the girls.

[Megan] Now on this team,
every performance is insane.

And at this point,
everyone sees every performance we do,

and they can record it,
and someone's gonna post it.

And so it's high pressure all around.

[fans cheering]

[pensive music playing]

[music fades]

[dogs yapping]

Get back! Everybody back!

- No! Get back!
- [barking]

[woman] Watch out for that one.

[barking continues]

Hey!

[dog yaps]

[Thea] Y'all are rotten.

So I started a TikTok account
because I have a farm.

So I was posting funny farm videos
of turkeys and things like that.

And then whenever we'd go
to Cowboys games,

I would take videos of the cheerleaders
occasionally and post 'em,

and nobody would really watch them.

Not until America's Sweethearts came out.

And I mean,
I'm not posting them for the views.

Personally, I enjoy
taking something beautiful…

Like y'all.

It's a way to be creative
in video production,

and do it from home all from my phone.

So I don't have to have anything fancy
to do this amateur stuff.

[gentle music playing]

[Thea] It's cathartic for me.
It's kind of like TikTok's my therapy.

Yeah, I'm just, um…
I'm better behind a screen.

I'll take a dance
and maybe slow it down, speed it up,

and put some transitions in there
and put new music with it.

Reece is absolutely beautiful.

She gets a lot of hate and a lot of love.

Parker's gorgeous.

But if I have to pick a favorite,
I'd probably say Faith,

because through
all of the online comments,

and nastiness about her ponytail,

she has been just gracious.

So I created one
with a David Attenborough type voice to…

talk about the ponytail.

So let's see, here we go.

[narrator on video] In the vast,
concrete plains of North Texas,

an elusive creature emerges.

Behold the ponytail.

A symbol of change, of evolution.

[Thea] On some of my videos,
people get nasty.

Like, "They're out of line."

"Oh, they're terrible."
And I'm like, "We couldn't do that."

Miserable people
project miserableness online.

I've deleted so many comments.

The foul comments I delete immediately.

I don't consider myself a super fan.

I just feel like
I'm paying respect to them

with my creations.

And I hope they see it that way,
if they even see it.

I mean, they probably don't even see it.

But I will say Faith
did like my ponytail video.

So I was kinda… That was kinda cool.

- [gentle music playing]
- My son, he loves football.

It was his dream.

But he can't play football anymore
'cause of his heart.

His heart was bad enough that he needed
open-heart surgery to replace his valve.

So I started taking him to Cowboys games.

And, you know,
that's when I noticed the cheerleaders.

And they're so beautiful.

The way they show up

and work their butts off,
even on a sideline,

It showed me and him that…
just 'cause you're not on that field,

you still matter.

Even if you're on the sidelines,
you matter.

[introspective music playing]

- Relax. Mushin. Mushin. Empty mind.
- Yes.

Think heavy. Think good posture.

- [woman] It's like a dance.
- Aikido is like a dance.

[woman] So you're using
their energy against them.

He's coming after me.

Hi-yah!

[man grunts]

- There you go.
- Oh! You okay?

When you flow, it will present itself.

When you flow,
the kotegaeshi is gonna come right there.

[Becky grunts]

You learn how to speed it up
to where you can--

[producer] Has Kleine ever done this?

- Yes, she did karate.
- She did karate when she was a kid.

[Becky] Do you remember
the board, Kleine?

- Chopping it?
- [Kleine] Oh, I remember.

And then I did a little kick,
and a little kick.

And I would go, "Hi-yah!"

- [Brandon] Your kata.
- -[laughing] And I did one little board.

[Becky] Kleine wanted to do it all.

So we finally started having to lay down
the law that you need to pick one sport.

[Brandon] About the time we got her
some pads, and gloves, and some gear

to start the katas, and all the punching,
and the kicking and stuff,

she was really heavy into dance.

- It was like, "Okay, I want to do dance."
- [Becky] Yeah.

[Kleine] I was really lucky
with a really awesome upbringing.

Kleine was always kinda helping me.
She was like my independent…

I think we made her grow up
a little faster.

Mom, drink your coconut water.

[Becky] I think sometimes she has that
mother role and I have the daughter role.

But I did just recently get diagnosed
with adult ADHD.

A lot of times
when I had all three of the babies,

I would have to really do some systems
to make sure everybody was buckled,

and that I didn't leave Nicholas
on the hood or something, in the car seat.

You know, so Kleine was
always kinda helping me.

[Kleine] Our house was always filled
with a lot of craziness.

- [Becky] Good and evil here.
- [Brandon] Give me a punch.

[Kleine] And joy.

[playing piano melody]

Luc, you ready?

- [playing upbeat tune]
- [both laughing]

- [Brandon] I describe Kleine as a storm.
- [Becky] Yes!

That she comes into the room
and you know she's there.

- Of course.
- Oh, you know.

Okay, do it again.

[both playing upbeat tune]

- [Luc laughing]
- [Kleine] Three!

- Sorry.
- You and Nana did that same thing!

[Brandon] Sometimes she can be
very forceful and loud

and just, like, undeniably there.

- [Kleine] Okay, you need to practice.
- I do. We could have got it.

- One more time, Kleine. Take three.
- No, that was take six.

We tried.

- But she's also the sun, so…
- [Becky] She's a bright light.

She always brings
the energy, and light, and fun.

[gentle music playing]

She used to play the piano every night
before we went to bed, and she'd play it.

And I remember adapting
to not hearing the piano being played

was a biggie for me.

And, uh, her laughter.

Uh, she brings the fun

to this dysfunctional family, you know?

I was worried that the world
was gonna steal you away,

and you really flew out of that nest,

and you flew far out of that nest.

- Well…
- [Becky] So, for us…

It's important as a young adult
and young woman that you find yourself.

- [Becky] Right.
- I still don't know myself.

I'm still figuring things out.

[Becky] I am too, and I'm 56, so…

There's so many memories
and so many things

that have been ingrained in my life, and…

that I attribute to DCC.

And I moved to Dallas for this,

and I've been here
for five freakin' years.

I mean, I'm… I'm only 26.

That's like, what?

A fifth-ish of my life
that I've spent doing this.

And, yes, it's my last season.

I'm really, really lucky with
the trajectory of how things have gone.

Especially in this last season.

She's taken some really nice steps
toward leadership this year.

I can turn to her
and give her responsibility

and know she'll take care of it.

[Brandon] I think she's been
underestimated maybe by Kelli some.

I think they have
some similar characteristics.

She's got the type of personality

that can make everybody feel good.

It was really fun
to see her grow through the years.

Just wait till you see
where your ornament is this year.

[Kleine] No! No!

I don't even know where they are.
Michelle puts it up.

You know what I'm gonna do?
I'm gonna make an ornament this year.

And it's just gonna be a full, life-size
cutout of Kelli Finglass.

[both laughing]

And that will be front and center.

And I'm just gonna put it…

It's gonna be the star on the tree.

I feel like I'd get hate for it,
but you know what?

[laughing] I feel like it'd be perfect.

Hey, if we can't learn, laugh, and love,
then we missed the point.

We missed the whole point
of being on this team. You're so right.

[Luc] What are you doing, buddy?

[laughs]

Yeah? You think so?

[meows]

Yeah? You trying to help?

You want to lick one of these
or something?

Clean it off?

This is year five of, you know,
helping Kleine out with stuff like this.

The DCC lifestyle
of just always being go, go, go,

it's a lot.

And I'm looking forward
to just having Kleine around,

and being able to do…

[laughs] …more things,
different things together.

But on the other hand,
just be a good partner.

Because it's a lot. They're doing a lot.

Christmas time is definitely
the busiest time for all the girls.

It's just, I mean, nonstop.
She showed me her schedule the other day,

and it was just like…
one thing after the other.

[tense music playing]

[Reece] I mean, our Novembers
and Decembers are insane physically.

[Megan] We always have, like,
three or four games in November.

Then all throughout December
you're doing Christmas shows.

And you have no weekends off
until the new year.

- That's when it gets really hectic.
- [cameraman] Here we go. One, two, three.

[Judy] Y'all, don't ever mark.
You can't mark anything.

[cheerleaders] Yes, ma'am.

You'll get labeled a marker.
Don't get labeled a marker.

Okay, this is not straight.

We have our Thanksgiving halftime,
so we had to make sure, okay…

One, two…

[Judy] You want to be your best
and you want to be well-rehearsed.

Don't swim with your arms.

[Kelli] Tonight, I noticed
Victoria's kicks look a little tired.

[Tori] Okay, I just need to work on that.

- I've been in my head a bit lately.
- Don't get in your head, Tori.

I know, but y'all's words mean, like…

the most weight for me, so…

I'm sorry.

Well, know that the next few weeks
we're gonna be going at this turbo speed.

- Yeah.
- And we may not have…

- [both laughing]
- [Tori] I know.

I need to go to sleep. I'm tired.

- Do you have an energy drink?
- I might crack one open.

- Honestly, what time is it? 1:40 p.m.
- Man, oh, man.

The mental side of it
has gotten challenging.

[tense music continues]

[Johnmichael] I pray for all the girls
that have just joined the team

and all the girls that are going
into their veteran season.

I pray that you watch over them,
that you watch over their bodies.

And, Jesus,
I just pray over Kelli and Judy

that their hearts be softened
when they talk to the girls,

that they understand where they're at,

to make them shine on the field
more than they've ever shone before.

And in Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Amen. Oh my gosh.

[Megan] McKenna,
can I borrow your Theragun? Thank you.

[Reece] If we're not
our best selves mentally,

it's really hard to do it physically.

And when we're getting super tired
and worn out,

and there's a lot more physical activity
and a lot less recovery days…

[Megan] ♪ Ouchie, I'm hurting so bad ♪

Our bodies can start to give out in a way,
and we're just kind of throwing things.

[Megan] My neck hurts a little bit more.

Let's get 'er lit.

My back and then my knees
are always kinda hurting

when things start to pick up a little bit.

Anything can happen.

[Judy] Y'all,
we're gonna go down these stairs.

[Reece] I know. I am too.
I'm starting to get a little anxious.

- [Judy] We're walking.
- [cheerleader] Let's go!

All right, let's do it.

Okay, here we go.
Five, six, seven, eight. And a one.

[drum fanfare playing]

You're too close, Taylor.
Stay two yards apart!

Don't skip.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

Okay, stop on one.
You're not far enough out, Carly.

Go on the outside of the hashes, Camille.

One, two, stop!

Make sure everybody's in the right place.
Five, six, seven, eight. Go!

Real girly and presentational.

Five and six, stop.
Make sure that we're the same.

Putting on costumes
and then we're gonna run it from the top.

[announcer on PA] Now here they are.
America's sweethearts.

The often imitated, never equaled,
internationally acclaimed,

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders!

[all cheering]

[darkly enticing music playing]

- [music stops]
- [cheerleader] Ow…

No, but need to send the trainer.

[cheerleader softly] What's going on?

What?

- [cheerleader] Why are we running? Um…
- [anxious hushed chatter]

[cheerleader 1 gasps] It was Reece.

[cheerleader 2] Reece? Oh God!

[hushed chatter continues]

[cheerleader] Where is she?

- [woman 1] She sprained her ankle.
- [woman 2] Oh God.

- [Reece] It really hurts.
- [woman] It really hurts?

[crying softly]

- [Kelli] Okay.
- Can we go upstairs? Or…

[Kelli] Whatever…
I mean, if moving her is…

If not moving her is better,
she's fine here. Whatever you think.

[trainer] Where do you feel…

Do you feel comfortable here
or do you want to be out of eyes?

- [woman] Yes, ma'am.
- [trainer] Out of eyes? Okay.

- [Reece] I'm sorry.
- [Kelli] Were you doing a certain step?

What happened? Did you roll it?

- [crying] I rolled it on the first one.
- [Kelli] Okay.

[trainer] Okay, use me as a crutch.

[Kelli] Roger, isn't there a little
wheelchair around here somewhere?

- [trainer] Nope, we're good.
- [Kelli] Well, now…

[woman] Oh my gosh.

[man] Do we have a wheelchair?

[cheerleaders] Love you.
You're okay, Reece. Love you, Reece.

- [Kelli] Jude, that doesn't look good.
- Yes, ma'am.

[Kelli] She really injured her ankle.

Maybe it's better for her
not to be in the first two shows.

What do you want to do?

- [Judy] Have to put someone else in.
- Yeah.

God, Judy, this…
this affects more than just this show.

- Oh my gosh!
- The game is on Sunday.

Do you want me to see what all-stars
we have coming to this game?

- [Judy] Who would I even?
- Uh, Claire.

It's been two years.
I mean, we can ask her.

I mean, she's, I'd say, the most…

flexible, like, kicking flexible.

Claire.

[laughs]

This is the call
you probably never want to get.

Can you still do "Thunder"?

You're… You feel really great about it?

If I sent you formations, and…

We wouldn't practice till game day.

This Sunday.

Okay.

Mm-hmm. Bye.

Are we sure she's out of the game?

- I mean, I think so.
- She's gonna give her a boot tonight.

- Then get her in with the doctor tomorrow.
- [Judy] Okay.

But Reece is in a lot more…
This is her first time to really get hurt.

- And it's hurting.
- [Judy] Right. Yeah.

She's in a lot of pain.

- It's awful. I just hope she's okay.
- This is terrible.

It's horrible.

- [Reece] My toes are numb. I can't…
- [Will] Yeah, I know.

- All right, pick it up.
- I need to shave my legs.

[Will laughing]

Look. Feel them.

[laughs] Baby…

Thanks.

Oop.

- You need anything else?
- [softly] I think I'm okay.

[Reece] I went to the doctor yesterday,

and thankfully there's nothing fractured,
which is a praise.

However, the assessment
that she kinda did on my foot

makes her think that
it could be a high ankle sprain.

Right now, uh…

my, like, doctor's note
doesn't say I can go back.

Obviously, I know this was an accident.

But I still feel like I…

it was, like, my fault somehow.

- Selfishly, I'm glad that you're here.
- Mmm-hmm.

I'm glad that we get
to spend more time together.

But I'm also heartbroken for you,

'cause I know
how much you love doing this.

- It just stinks.
- I know.

But you don't want to push it.

Mmm-hmm.

- [man] Ma'am, can I see some ID here?
- [laughing] Yeah. "Who are you again?"

- Are you ready for this?
- Oh yeah, Roger.

- [Roger] All right.
- Live for these moments.

Yes.

[Judy] I don't think
we've had an injury that affected

our game-day performance
in several years.

We've had some injuries that required…

rehab after,
but they got through the season first.

So this is the first one
in a while that we've had to…

Thank you so much.

[Judy] …you know, have a backup.

- This will be fun.
- I know!

[Judy] Claire is an all-star,
so she's still around.

- [excited chatter]
- [Judy] We drew out formations for her,

but she never got to practice with us
before game-day rehearsal.

- [cheerleader 1] What's up, dawg?
- [cheerleader 2] Hello!

- Grandma's back. [laughing]
- [cheerleader] Grandma's back!

- Aww, so cute!
- Are you 27?

[laughing] Twenty-six.

The last time
I did "Thunderstruck" was 2023

when I retired,
and I just don't want to stick out.

That's my main thing.

I'm like, "Just don't mess up.
Don't stick out."

We'll be fine if all of that goes well.

[Kelli] The devotional today
was about being present,

and I was reminded with Reece's injury,

you never know.

Emmitt Smith told us this…

And it's meant to motivate y'all,
not to bring you down. [laughs]

But one time I asked Emmitt,
"How do you get motivated every game?"

"Every game, every play?"

Thirteen years with the Cowboys,
two more with the Cardinals.

He turned to us one day and said,
"I never knew when it was my last play."

And he was serious.

A player that's being pummeled
never knows when it's their last play, so…

Reece's experience,

it reminds me to remind y'all
to be really present in this game.

Let's stop worrying about next week,
about next Christmas show.

Let's be in this game for two reasons.

One is, you never know.
Reece didn't expect this.

And she's not here,
so that's kind of heartbreaking.

So my one hashtag is Reece Recovery.

- Yeah.
- And number two, be present.

- Let's do it.
- There you go.

And go, Claire! Y'all, that's teamwork.

[all cheering]

[Kelli] No, seriously, the fact that
you're still part of this legacy, Claire,

and you're the right person
for this situation, so thank you.

[cheerleader] Yeah.
Jump-split your life away.

[Claire laughs] M'wah!

[exhales]

Whoo!

All right.

- No looking back.
- [enticing music playing]

[Claire] Now I'm here,
all the memories are flooding back.

[crowd cheering in background]

[Claire] Just being on the field
as a cheerleader is so bittersweet.

I don't know.
It just feels like old times.

[Megan] It is a stressful sport,

and our job is to make it look easy,
and it's not.

Reece and her injury, we're all trying
to navigate that as a team.

I'm really proud of everyone.

We've been through so much together.

[announcer on PA] What a game.

Twenty-one point comeback,
and Aubrey the walk-off field goal.

[all screaming and whooping]

[Megan] Knowing that I can lean on
a lot of the girls has been

seriously the best thing ever.

[enticing music continues]

My lashes are gonna fly away.

[Megan] I think last year,

I was definitely all about
doing what's best for the team,

because it needed that.

And then, this year,

I feel like the team
has been really there for me,

and pouring back into me,
which has been really sweet.

[Lea] Okay, so you have
Christmas decorations before you have…

So, this is what I really need
your guys's help on.

I feel like I need to get in
the Christmas spirit. Um, I have a tree.

[Kleine] Wait, Megan,
when did you make a vision board?

[Megan] At the beginning of the year.

- [Kleine] The money, yes!
- We were talking about it.

I didn't realize, like,
my vision board kind of manifested.

[Kleine] This.
This is… You already have a…

- This is actually crazy.
- [Megan] No, it's actually really wild.

- I didn't realize.
- Like, the actual breakup…

That was…

- This was kind of the motto.
- Yeah.

Yeah.

[Megan crying softly] So…
it happened a week ago.

Um, but…

my friends were really great,

and, you know,
they gave me a place to stay.

'Cause, obviously, you know,

I lived, um…

I lived with him, and…

Um…

I think I just like needed the space.

We've had more girl time
in this past month

than I think I've seen you in a year.

[Megan] Literally, yeah.

Because I know this job
is so demanding of our time,

I felt that I wasn't there enough for him.

And…

So any moment I had,

I was like, "I'm trying to be intentional,
and put you first."

And I think I just didn't
take care of myself in that way.

But also,
I think I lost myself along the way.

I literally thought he was my person
and everything.

But I just, like…

[Megan] Kleine and Lea,
they were with me every hour the next day.

And, uh…
They took shifts. I think it's funny.

Um, but they were
just making sure I wasn't alone,

and if I just needed to cry,
I could just cry, and…

everyone's just been rallying behind me.

And that's honestly
the testament to what DCC is.

- [Kleine] Want me to put it on the thing?
- [Megan] Yeah, and then…

[Megan] It's about a sisterhood.

They're the reason that I can sit here,

and go on, and…

be strong.

- Handy dandy.
- We're such working girls.

[Megan] We are!

I built this whole place
with my two hands.

Heck yeah, you did.

- That was fun. I was like, "Yeah!"
- Yeah, you're freakin' strong and capable.

- Okay, we're good.
- Okay.

Do you want to let me…

Yeah.

- That looks awesome!
- Just skinny. That's it.

[all laughing]

- Wait, A, is this…
- [Kleine] Charlie Brown.

Wait, no, no, no.
You guys, this is the top of the tree.

- What?
- I knew it!

[both laughing]

Why was it so… [laughing]

That's so funny.

- So excited you guys are here to decorate.
- [Kleine] This looks so good!

- [Megan] Hold on! Ready?
- The pluggy in-er thing.

[squealing]

- [Megan] Hey, that looks so good.
- [Lea] It looks beautiful.

[gentle music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

- Happy Thanksgiving. [laughs]
- [man] Uh, you too!

[woman] There she is.

- [woman] Yay, Reece!
- [Reece] Hi!

[all cheering and clapping]

[Reece] Guys, I'm silly.

[cheering continues]

[Reece] Oh my gosh.

Hey, so sorry for all my belongings.

- [laughs] And I'm not even dancing!
- Oh my gosh. You're literally fine.

[Kristi on mic] Now, here's what's
majorly important about today's game.

The Cowboys, as of today,

have a 9% chance of making the playoffs.

The fact that it's the Cowboys,

you know, still playing
for a chance for the playoffs,

that it's Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs,

and it being Thanksgiving,
and Post Malone…

So much is on the line today.

Hopefully, you'll look back,

and this will be one of the really
special days of your DCC career.

Media analysts predict that this will be

the most watched regular season game
in NFL history.

[cheerleaders] Oh wow!

Maybe 50 million people.

[all cheering]

[expectant music playing]

[fans cheering in background]

[expectant music continues]

[Reece] It's not until
you're knocked off your feet

where then you remember

just how much you love
the hustle and the busyness,

and especially this week.

- [woman] Let's go, girls!
- [Kelli] Okay, let's line up.

- [cheerleader] Can't wait.
- Yeah, it'll be good. I'm excited.

[expectant music building]

[Reece] You know,
when you know the timeframe of, like,

"Oh, this is when
they're about to go on stage,"

it all just gets in my head too naturally.

[ethereal music playing]

[Reece] I just would love
to be there to, like, help them.

'Cause it's hard.
Like, what we do is really tough.

It's already stressful,
and then when you have to adjust

because someone's out, moving spots, it…

They're not gonna say it,
but it does cause

a little bit of stress and worry.

But…

as much as I would want to fight it,

and get through,
I just won't be able to do it today.

It's just frustrating.

I don't know how to…

- It's right in between this guy.
- [trainer] There?

- Just, like, on the back.
- [trainer] The one we gotta get looser.

- Okay.
- [trainer] Okay?

Obviously, being a high-level athlete,
what's demanded of her legs

is a lot more than the average person
walking down the street.

So the ability to jump,

the ability to land,

the ability to spin, turn.

We have to ensure that she's strong enough
to do all of those things.

So right now we're working
on all the different motions

that we know she'll need
to be able to do out on the field.

But doing it in a controlled environment
before we take her out there.

So I just want kind of the pops.

Um, kind of like in that kick prep phase.

Okay, just like… here-ish?

Yeah. Oh yeah, real small.

- [mutters]
- Real small. We're just testing it.

We're not… It doesn't have to be full go.
It's just you kind of moving.

I'm a little nervous.

- [Val] You got it.
- Okay.

Just remember, when you're landing…

so when you're taking on
the forces of landing,

it's anywhere between three
to ten times your body weight.

[Reece] I know I can do it,
but my body's like, "Can you, though?"

I just think, like, mentally…

[Val] Mmm-hmm.

I'm just, like, a little nervous, but…

This is just kind of testing our limits
to see what your body can tolerate

and how much more we can do today.

[Reece] Hmm.

- That! The second hop.
- Yeah.

You're not at 100% yet.

But it did it.

Yeah.

Gobble, gobble, Cowboys Nation.
Happy Thanksgiving.

- [upbeat music playing]
- Whoo, baby!

Happy Thanksgiving.

- Did I scare you?
- Hi!

Happy Thanksgiving!

- [Charlotte] Looks ready.
- Rolling on nicely.

[Faith] Guys, I have goose bumps
like all over my body right now.

Like, well, we're about
to go dance with Post Malone.

Let's go, Posty.

- [Kelli] DCC in position.
- [Post Malone on PA] Thank you very much.

["I Had Some Help" by Post Malone
playing on speakers]

[on speakers] ♪ I had some help ♪

♪ It ain't like I can
Make this kind of mess all by myself ♪

♪ Don't act like you… ♪

I'm trying to be his mosh pit.

♪ Been deep in every weekend
If you couldn't tell ♪

♪ They say
"Teamwork makes the dream work" ♪

♪ Hell, I had some help ♪

[Judy] That was pretty! That was pretty.

[rock music continues]

[Reece] All that my teammates want
is for me to get better,

and that's what I want as well.

But it's, like, really bumming
that I can't be there.

[rock music continues]

- [spectators cheering]
- [announcer on PA] The Cowboys win.

[rock music continues]

- Mic drop!
- [cheering and music fades]

[Kristi on mic] As Kelli says, tonight,
it's victory bits instead of bus fuss.

I have a question for our favorite Kiwi.

Faith, what do you think
of our American holiday of Thanksgiving

and tradition of God,
family, football? Approval?

[Faith] We should have it every day.
It's my favorite holiday.

[Kristi] Her new favorite holiday.

All right. We've converted the Kiwi,
so that's great.

All right. Here's the great news.

With the victory, this is three in a row.

So our percentage of making the playoffs

has gone from 9% to 15%.

- So we're up to double digits.
- [cheerleaders clapping]

[Jenna] I can't believe
Detroit lost today.

I thought they were
gonna win the Super Bowl.

- Thought they were gonna beat the Packers.
- I think we're gonna win the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, I just… I have good intuition.

- If we win now, I think…
- I think we will!

Nah, guys. We've got a 15% chance
of even making the playoffs.

Right now. But this was
the hardest test, the Chiefs.

Yeah, but then also hasn't the Chiefs…
the team itself changed a lot?

- I kinda think so.
- They were a six and five.

[Faith] Guys, I learn a lot every week
with these team briefs.

[Julissa] I know you're not from America,

but what state
is the New England Patriots in?

Oh my God, like,
you think I would know that?

[Charly] What are you talking about?

- They're trying to make me guess…
- [Julissa] What state the Patriots are in.

What state, Char? Help me!
Guys, you have 50 states.

- Boston…
- How am I supposed to know?

- [Michelle] ♪ Alabama, Alaska ♪
- Really?

[both] ♪ Arizona, Arkansas, California
Colorado, Connecticut ♪

♪ Delaware, Florida, Georgia
Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana ♪

- ♪ Doo-doo-doo ♪
- ♪ Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky ♪

♪ Louisiana, Maine
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan ♪

♪ Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri… ♪

[Faith] I think the good thing with
this job is you're so occupied, and busy,

and you have such an incredible
support system with the girls on the team.

But I think the homesickness
definitely comes in waves.

That would be the 50-states song.

♪ Shout 'em, scout 'em, tell all about 'em
One by one, till we've given up… ♪

[Faith] As the season went on,

you were just trying to wrap your head
around your life changing so much.

[Faith] Oh my God! I missed you.

Oh my God! It's so nice to see you!

This doesn't feel real.
Has it been six months?

- [Cam] Yeah.
- Oh my God. I missed you.

[Faith] Hi! Get in here, you queen.

Guys, it was so weird seeing you up there,
and I was like…

I wanted to come and say hi. Oh my God.

The girls are back!

The girls are back together.

- You look cute. You're giving cowgirls.
- [Cam] So do you.

Oh my God, my body,
I think it's all finally hitting me now.

This week, even talking to Charly,
she was like, "I'm exhausted."

And I was like, "Wait.
She's got a Christmas show tomorrow."

Christmastime with DCC and all
the Thanksgiving stuff is insane so I'm--

[Sophie] That's so cool though.

But now we've got two games left,
and the rookie season's done.

I cannot even begin to express
how fast it just goes all of a sudden.

Like, it is insane. And obviously
you don't want to wish away this time.

But also, it's just like…
remember I said goodbye to you guys?

I gave you a hug, like, "Why am I crying?"

'Cause I thought
I was gonna be gone for five days.

I have moved my life to the other side
of the world, and it is a bit terrifying.

Making the team
was the ultimate highlight.

And then there's been loads of, you know,

having to get visa stuff sorted
and things like that.

I knew coming into this
that for me to survive,

I can't get another job
on the visa that I'm on.

So social media brand deals.

You know when places are stingy
with sauce? Not Wingstop.

I knew that I needed to up that
to survive and to live here

because it's a part-time job
at the end of the day

and we need to have
other income to support that.

And it has helped a lot.

Let's get ready together
for my first Thanksgiving ever.

I love how we're getting
DoorDash on Thanksgiving.

Do you even know
what Thanksgiving is, Cammy?

I just know that it's more important…
not more important than Christmas.

- But bigger than Christmas. Is it?
- Is it?

Maybe. I'm so wrong, then.

Okay, well, I know that it's a big deal,
and you have to have a big dinner.

Okay, guys, we need to order Chinese.

- Or PF Chang's? We love that.
- [Kate] PF Chang's is good.

- Have you tried PF Chang's? Yeah.
- I've heard it's good.

[Faith] That's a classic.

It's closed. I'm gonna cry.
I actually want to cry.

- Five Guys? Is that good?
- Yum, let's do Five Guys.

[Sophie] Five Guys…

[Faith] Are closed.

Shake Shack, is that open?

That's my favorite. That is so good.
Surely that's open, Cammy.

[Cam] Oh my God, closed.

I'm gonna cry. I'm getting really hangry.

- Does anyone have any actual--
- Suggestions.

Wait, we got pumpkin pie. I came prepared.

- Oh my God. Guys.
- [Kate] Yep. Where is it?

- [Faith] Mum went and bought pumpkin pie.
- Pumpkin pie!

[Cam] It says it's already baked.

- [Faith] Yummy.
- [Cam] It says "baked."

- [Kate] Is it sweet or pumpkin-tasting?
- It's meant to be sweet. I'm pretty sure.

[Faith] Definitely the food
was the main adjustment for me.

And don't get me wrong.
I love… I love In-N-Out burger

and the Crumbl cookies and all
the incredible food America has to offer.

It was just different for me.

- [Kate] Right. We're serving up the pie.
- [Sophie] You've got whipped cream.

[Kate] That's sour cream.
You put that on bagels.

[Faith] Sour cream?

I grabbed the wrong thing.
It's supposed to be cream cheese.

- No, this is. Sorry. I read it wrong.
- [Kate] It is cream cheese.

- [Sophie] Wait, let me see.
- [Kate] Sophie.

You've been eating cream cheese
on top of your bagels.

Should you eat pumpkin pie
with cream cheese?

Yes, you can eat pumpkin pie
with cream cheese.

- Look at me.
- [Sophie] I'll be the first to try it.

[Faith] That looks so crusty.

- Everyone take a sliver.
- [Cam] Yep.

[Faith] We gotta say one thing
we're thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Well, I'm thankful for you girls
flying all the way over, to being here.

Being my beautiful best friends.

Mummy being here.

We've worked our whole lives
to be in this position.

And I think giving it one season
just isn't long enough.

There's obviously ups and downs
throughout this crazy journey,

and it's not easy, but sometimes
doing what you love isn't easy.

You've gotta make the sacrifices.

And I think I owe it to myself
to give myself a veteran season

if I am fortunate enough to make the team.

Girls, put some cream cheese on.

- [Cam] Cheers.
- [Faith] Cheers, my girls.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks for coming. I love you guys.

- [Cam] Love you.
- [Faith] Oh my God.

Sorry, I spat everywhere.

That is disgusting.

- [Sophie] Vomit.
- [laughing] Vomit.

[Kate] The only good part
is the cream cheese.

[heartwarming music playing]

- [loud rock music playing]
- [Kelli] There he is! All right!

All right! You ready?
We're about to start. Okay.

[announcer on PA] Get ready,
football fans,

because tonight,
Cowboys Nation celebrates the season.

Welcome to The Star
and the Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza.

[rock music playing in background]

[introspective music playing]

[Judy] Reece had a high ankle sprain,

and I thought she was gonna be out
for a long time.

But she wanted this so bad.

She missed two games,
but she rehabbed every day.

- That is nice.
- Okay.

[Judy] She really has worked hard

and is back in the show.

Not on stage yet,
but she is doing a little lesser role just

so we make sure that she stays healthy.

[announcer on PA]
Now please welcome to The Star,

the one, the only, Santa Claus!

[crowd cheering]

[Will] How you feeling?

Like, it would have been really rough
if you weren't able to come back.

And you chose to step away.

- You know what I mean?
- Mmm-hmm.

[Will] Have you decided yet?

[Reece] The biggest pro
for staying are my teammates.

Doing game days, doing appearances
and stuff, it's just so special.

It's such a unique experience
to do with your best friends, and I just…

that's the thing that's holding me

in for staying.

But… I don't know.

Like, this is the first time now,

You know, we graduated. We were engaged.

We knew we were planning a wedding,
made DCC.

It was like, bam, bam, bam!

And then now it's like…

the first time I'm actually
taking a breath and figuring out, like,

"What am I doing? What is my purpose?"
Like, what else?

Who else is Reece? Like, what else?

Who's us? Like…

- Mmm-hmm.
- You know, and like continuing…

- To figure that out.
- Yeah.

- It's wild how hard this decision is.
- I know.

- And I don't want to--
- Like, dangles over you every day.

I know.

Literally, I wake up every morning,
and I'm like, "So what am I gonna do?"

I hope you don't feel like
I'm pushing you in one way or another.

- Mmm-mmm. No.
- I just want you to…

- You're helping me seek clarity and…
- Be confident. Correct.

…like, peace.

[Will] You want to hold my hand?

[Reece] Ugh,
you're probably clammy and sweaty.

- [Will] I am a little bit.
- [Reece laughs]

[Reece] We can hold hands if you want to.

[Reece winces]

- [Will] It's not funny.
- I think it is funny.

[gentle music playing]

[commentator 1] The Dallas Cowboys
lose their second straight road game.

This team cannot win football games
with this defense playing at this level.

It's the same thing over
and over and over again.

[commentator 2] Maybe they would have
contended for a playoff spot

had number 11 been on the field this year.

[reporter] Jerry, what's your level
of disappointment?

[Jerry] I'm disappointed for the obvious.
I'm disappointed for all these fans.

[reporter] Can you take anything positive
out of this season?

Second year in a row missing the playoffs.

Now that the so-called drought
is now 30 years of…

Yeah. You have to dissect it.

And you have to go hunting
for the good things,

and you should really,
when you have great years,

you should hunt up the bad things.

On times like this,
you have to dwell on the good things.

And you can look for 'em.
They're out there.

[gentle music fading]

[indistinct chatter]

- Is that cute?
- Yeah.

- Yeah, that's cute. Okay.
- Yeah.

My lips are a little crusty, but…

- I'll put a filter on it. How about fade?
- And make 'em… Yeah.

[Kelli] Test, test, test.

- [loudly on mic] Hello. Ooh!
- [cheerleader] God. That scared me.

- [Kelli on mic] Good morning.
- Good morning.

[Kelli] It's dark 30 and we're on our way.

- [melancholy music playing]
- Okay, so we now know officially…

this is our last home game.

This is our last bus ride.

It's the end of this season
as a team together as a group, so it…

It's meaningful for all of us.

Absorb every moment.

Enjoy every moment.

Let's be in the moment
with our teammates in the locker room

and make this the best experience we can.

- Can y'all do that for me?
- [cheerleaders] Yes, ma'am.

Let's do it, girls!
Last "Thunder!" Got it!

Never thought that day would come,
but here it is.

I didn't think that day would come.

- You're gonna miss me so much.
- I will miss you.

Are you telling me now?
Is that your answer?

- I'm not telling you nothin'.
- Okay.

Have a great, great game.
You've earned it.

I'm not gonna cry, not yet.
It's too early!

- Let's do this, girls.
- I love you.

Just think of so many things you have
to look forward to in your life now.

[laughs]

I know, but I'll miss you.

Guys, stop!

I love you all!

Okay, let's move up, shall we?

- Oh!
- [Megan] You got it!

- Love you!
- Love you!

[leaders] Five, six, seven, eight!

[announcer on PA] Here they are,
the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

- [crowd roaring]
- [majestic music playing]

[majestic music continues]

[woman] Come on, we gotta change!

Don't you know
we gotta change into "Santa Baby"?

[majestic music continues]

The full cast is in place and ready.

[commentator on PA] Dallas essentially
waving the white flag,

as it will be Joe Milton into the game.

He has that ball chopped out of his hands
and scooped up by Los Angeles.

[gentle music playing in background]

[Megan] Aw…

- [Kristi] We were so lucky to have you.
- [Megan] I'm so sweaty.

- Thank you!
- Way to go. Way to go.

[gentle music continues]

Love you, Meg!

You did it! You did your rookie season!

I love you so much.

You two are warriors!
I'm so proud of you guys!

I'm so proud of you guys!

Yay!

I'm so proud of you, Reece.
I'm so proud of you.

- [contemplative music playing]
- [Megan exclaims]

[indistinct chatter]

[Judy] I just hate it
that y'all have worked so hard

for this to be your outcome.

The five-years that have
worked so hard for five years,

and this to be how your season ends,
we hate that for you.

[voice breaking] Because y'all are all…
you're great.

[crying softly] With the hashtag "legacy…"

I do think this…
last year was kind of a weird year,

and then we all wanted to reset this year,
and this year I think you really have.

I think when I see
the emotion out of y'all,

it means something to us, 'cause
we know it means something to you,

and that's what matters the most to me.
Not the score of the game, to be honest.

But for those of y'all
that this was your last game,

you absolutely, especially to our leaders,
have had a…

a legacy ending,

and that's what you want, right?

[uplifting music playing]

- [Kelli] What are we saying?
- [Megan] One, two, three, DCC?

[Kelli] Y'all aren't gonna say,
"Something-something's done?"

- [Megan] "Football season's done?"
- [all] Oh…

[Kelli] No. Okay, okay, no, maybe not.

- [cheerleader] A classic "DCC."
- [all muttering]

[all shouting] One, two, three, DCC!

- [all] Whoo!
- [bright music playing]

[music stops]

[Kelli] This is what expensive
Gucci scarves are for, aren't they?

- No, Kelli.
- Prada. Gucci.

Gucci. It was an airport splurge.

[Judy chuckles]

- Hello.
- [both] Hello!

- How are you guys?
- [Judy] We're good. How are you?

Good! I'm doing really well.

Just enjoying life.

Recharging, relaxing,
and still soaking it all in. Yup.

Since your journey was longer than others,

do you think your journey
was the right one for you,

now that you've had the extra time?

Absolutely. I grew as a person,

as a dancer, just in so many ways
that I would not have had happen

if I didn't experience that first cut.

- It changed me for sure.
- [Kelli] Aw. Well, you've done great.

- [Judy] You grew throughout the year.
- Thank you both so much.

[Kelli] You get to be our first…
our first uniform.

There's an E in "left,"
and there's an E in "yes." Yep.

Yay! Oh…

[laughs softly] I'll miss you.

[Kelli] Next is Faith.
Oh God, this will be long-winded.

[laughing]

Oh! I do want to talk to her
about her email and that interview.

She's never one
to not have anything to say.

Hey, Faith?

- I hear you.
- Hello!

- You can hear me from the hallway.
- [Kelli] We hear you from the hallway!

- How are you guys?
- [Judy] Good, how are you?

Good, thank you.
So obviously, I was just back home,

and I had to pick you guys up
a little sweet treat.

Well, what do you have here?

So this is New Zealand chocolate,
and then this is Australian Tim Tams.

- KitKats?
- Yeah, uh, mmm…

- I need a cup of coffee.
- [Faith] More like a biscuit.

[Faith] Yeah, you dip it in your coffee,
or just on its own, it's great as well.

- Probably pretty good with this Pepsi.
- [Faith] Yeah.

It's pretty good, hey.

I still pinch myself every day
that I'm here.

This is Little Faith's dream, and the fact
that I'm sitting here right now

living out my dream,
I am so incredibly grateful.

And for you both believing in me as well,
that just means more than you know.

And obviously with the curveballs

of moving from the other side of the
hemisphere, it's been a journey in itself.

[Kelli] You sent an email.
We haven't gotten a chance to talk.

But you do need
to run the media interviews

through us and let us know,

especially national ones in Australia.

- [Faith] Absolutely.
- We vet them.

- We check them for authenticity.
- Mmm-hmm.

Maybe there was some miscommunication,
but we were surprised

at the amount of interviews
that you were just doing… solo.

[Faith] Oh! Interesting.

'Cause my management said
that he had been in contact with them

and told them everything that I was doing.

So I'm so sorry about that.
If I had known that that was the case…

I guess there was
a bit of miscommunication--

You need to make sure
you've done what you need to do.

Yes, ma'am. And make sure that
I'm in the link of every single contact

and you guys knowing what's going on.

I can definitely take that feedback
on board and do that in the future.

'Cause when that happened, I was like,

"If we're auditioning tomorrow,
Faith gets my 'no' vote."

Yes, ma'am. I get that.

And so now after you've decided
to go on your own personal press tour,

you have to re-earn my trust.

Yes, ma'am. I completely agree.

- [Kelli] All right!
- [Judy] But you have to put your uniform.

- [Kelli] Yes!
- Oh! What am I doing?

[Kelli] Left is yes.

Okay, well, I would be absolutely honored

to re-try out
for a second season, of course.

And I'm really happy to see
my rookie sister Jenna on there too.

[Kelli] Yeah, it looks like
your little whole rookie class is…

- On the path to…
- [Kelli] Going to… On the path.

…returning. Yay. Well, thank you guys
for an incredible season.

I'm so incredibly grateful and blessed,
and I love you both so much. So thank you.

- Enjoy the rest of your day! See you soon!
- [Judy] Thank you.

Who does Faith remind me of
that talks and talks and talks?

- I don't know.
- Maybe Kleine's the second.

- Was I too hard on her on this?
- No!

I mean, somebody else's agency
doesn't represent us.

- [Kelli] Right.
- Can I bite my Tam Tam now?

[laughs] You ate
that whole thing on camera!

But I wanted a cup of coffee
to dunk it in.

- [Judy] Hello!
- Hi!

- [Kelli] You look kinda cute!
- [Judy] "Kinda"?

- [Kelli] I mean, it's--
- [Judy laughing]

- Kind of.
- [Kelli] No! You look cute!

- [Judy] It's cute.
- [Kelli] In a different kind of way.

- Thank you.
- I think you've had a great year.

- You shined in every aspect this year.
- Thank you.

Knowing that it was gonna be my last year,

that I just wanted to give you guys
everything that you deserved.

I know you work really hard
to make this organization so great,

so just wanted to end
on a really high note,

and wrap it up in a nice, beautiful bow.

- [laughs]
- [Kelli] So where are you gonna put her?

- Sounds like you're gonna…
- Yes.

- Beautiful, shiny girl.
- [Kelli] Hanging alone.

[Megan] This is crazy. Oh.

Aww!

I'm sad. But she had a good run.
She had a great run.

- She's ready to stretch her legs.
- [Kelli] Okay.

You've done this the right way.
You've ended on the highest of high notes.

And you've made
a strong impression on our future.

Now you're gonna make me cry.

[Judy] And we love you.

[Kelli] That's right.
We're supposed to tell them.

Well, now I cry, of course,
when I hug you guys.

[Judy] It's okay.
You can come up and hug us anytime.

- Well, see you soon. Thank you, guys.
- Well done, Megan.

Okay, so just as a reminder,

I know Kelly…

I spoke with her over the weekend
and she's a no.

- Tori.
- She's a no.

Aww…

[Madeline] Oh my gosh! Um…

[crying] After five-plus years,

I think it's time for the next girl
to come chase her dreams.

- This room holds a lot of memories.
- [Kelli] I know.

[wistful music playing]

Well, thank y'all for a great three years.

Selected for a fourth,
I would be very appreciative of it.

- This is yes?
- [Judy] Yes, ma'am.

Okay. There we go.

- [Judy] Yay! The ceremony's over.
- [both chuckling]

[Kelli] Surprise us!

'Cause we don't have any idea
what side of the room you're going to.

[both] To the left.

- Did she try to fool you?
- [Kelli] I don't know.

What a blessing it is to be here
and have this uniform.

[wistful music continues]

[Judy] Oh! Okay.

- [Karley] You like it? See?
- [Kelli] Yeah, rapid-fire.

[Lea laughing]

You've had a great year as a leader,
as an example, as a teammate,

as their selection for Pro Bowl.

It just all was… a fairy tale,
in my mind, for you, I hope.

It just feels like really complete,
which is nice.

And now I'm just excited
to cheer on my teammates

and watch from, you know, the other side.

But I do feel really good
and content with my decision.

- Aww! This is so sad.
- [wistful music continues]

I love it when they leave… on top.

Yeah.

On time and on top.

- [Kelli] Kleine's done a lot.
- Yes, she has.

- [Kelli] Where is Kleine? 'Cause…
- [Courtney] A cruise.

- [Judy] Does she have service?
- [Kelli] And she didn't know about…

She said she'll be available.
I said it's not mandatory.

Did she plan the cruise
before we published D-Day?

Supposedly.

[Kelli] She may be having Wi-Fi problems.

- [Judy] There she is, wet hair and all.
- Saying you may have Wi-Fi problems.

You're mute.

- [Kleine] Can you hear me?
- Yes!

Yo, what is going on?

- [Judy] We're here working.
- [Kelli] Where are you? Where are you?

I'm in the middle of the ocean.
How do I turn this around?

- [Kelli] What? Ooh!
- [Judy] Pretty.

- [Kleine laughing]
- [Kelli] Where are you?

We're going to the Honduras.

- [Judy] I'm shocked you got service.
- [Kelli] You look relaxed.

I'm relaxing.
It's mine and Luc's first vacation

as a married couple just for us,
so we're excited.

[Kelli] Good! How are you feeling?
What are you thinking?

Okay, so I was, like,
literally been so fulfilled,

so grateful I came back for a fifth year.

It was literally the best season.
It was just the best year ever.

And went into the last game thinking
it was my last, and that was that.

And then I started thinking
in the offseason,

and I was like, "Oh my gosh.
I'm gonna miss the dancing so much."

And I really was considering
doing a sixth year.

And I was like,
"I think that that would be super fun."

But then…

Oh, I'm gonna cry. I didn't expect to cry.

It's been the most
incredible chapter ever.

So, I think time for me to hang it up.

I wish I had my uniform.
I could do it virtually.

But I am grateful to y'all.

I love y'all.
It's been the best five seasons ever.

So I'm going on the "no" rack, I guess.

Okay, we'll put you on that rack.

But I think you should feel good
about your decision,

and timing, and where you are in life.

I mean, I'm actually kinda glad to see
you're on a cruise getting to be a wife,

'cause you know the time commitment here.

But you've kept it fun,
kept it interesting, kept it spicy,

kept it real.

Mmm-hmm. And we've loved laughing
with you and at you.

- And you've been a light on this team.
- Judy--

- [Judy] We won't forget you. For sure.
- [Kelli] No.

We… We love you.

Ah! I love you both so much.

[exclaims]

[Kelli] She'll always be,
I don't know, special to me.

In fact, Kleine was one
of my favorites her rookie year.

She's gonna be funny and fun.

Because I'm kind of a sucker
for a lot of personality,

big smile, a lot of showmanship.

[producer] To a degree, are you describing
yourself when you were a rookie candidate?

Yeah, I had a big personality,
a lot of showmanship.

I don't know.
I guess we're maybe a little alike.

[wistful music playing]

[Kelli] Kleine and I have such a dynamic.

We've had this consistent,
"It's all in your timing."

"Kleine, don't ask about
your Christmas ornament, and don't…"

I mean, some of these silly moments
that have been exaggerated as

controversial,

and it really just comes down
to how important your timing is.

But when we had this particular meeting
with me, and Judy, and Kleine.

The teammates aren't picking you as
a first group leader and I don't know why.

I was kind of disappointed in myself.

I honestly didn't feel like
my timing was good.

I love Kleine. I know she thinks
I pick on her, but I love her.

- [Kelli] Well, enjoy your time at sea.
- Ugh.

See you soon.

[Kelli] Bye.

Well…

- We're losing some of our long…
- Mmm-hmm.

- The ones we're so used to.
- Right.

- Reece, Taylor, emailed "yes" for…
- Mmm-hmm.

Choosing to retire…
turn in your boots, turn in your poms,

however you want to say it,
it's a hard decision,

but it is a necessary decision.

And I would prefer someone to leave
at the best of their game,

the top of their game.

When they leave, it's sad,

'cause we're at that point family,

and they're pillars of strength
within the team.

Going for five.

Wow.

Are we gonna have

any spots for rookies?

- [Kelli chuckles and sniffles]
- Well…

Sometimes it is time to move on, um,

emotionally, or their lifestyle's changed.

I mean, they've been dancing hard.

It's also a physical decision too,
but it's a very difficult decision,

'cause you're not just leaving
ten performances at home football games.

You're leaving a locker room that is

your family at that point in life.

But, yeah,
for a girl to go out on a high note,

as opposed to one
where she probably stayed too long,

got a little grumpy,
got a little lazy, got complacent.

I'd prefer them leave
too soon than too late.

[somber music playing]

- [knock on door]
- [Judy] Knock, knock. Come in.

- [Kelli] Come on in, Miss Reece! Hi!
- [Reece] Hello!

- How are y'all?
- [Judy] We're good.

- Good.
- [Judy] Have a seat.

Okay.

All right, Miss Reece,
what are you thinking?

Oh goodness.

- I know we've talked a little bit, but…
- Yeah.

[gentle music playing]

I kinda feel
like I'm gonna throw up. [sniffles]

It's a very, very hard thing.

Okay?

- [sniffles] Mmm-hmm.
- You got this.

Dear Lord, I pray for you
to move through her,

um, to Kelli and Judy,
and everybody in that room, Lord.

Um…

Speak. Speak.

Speak through me.

- [sniffles]
- [gentle music continues]

[voice breaking] This is a hard day.

But I think I'm gonna move on
to a new chapter.

I'm really excited about it,
but it's been hard to make that decision.

[crying softly] But I'm emotional
because of how grateful I am, truly.

And I owe a lot to you guys
because y'all trusted me

with this position, this job, and…

it's been everything and more…

[Kelli] You think?

…than I could imagine.

- [Kelli] Couldn't have imagined your life.
- It's such a blessing.

[crying] That's why it's so emotional.

But my cup is filled to the brim.

And if my absence gives another girl
an opportunity for her cup to be filled,

then I consider that the greatest honor,
like, leaving and moving forward, and so…

that's my decision.

I'm emotional because
I'm just so full of gratitude, truly.

You've had a lot of doors open
for you recently.

And I think you're gonna do great
with whatever path you choose.

- [Reece] Thank you. I'm excited.
- I agree.

Well, your little rack
awaits your uniform.

- [Reece] I don't like this part.
- I understand.

[Reece] Hmm. That's hard.

[Judy chuckles]

[Reece] Not gonna
look at it for too long.

You just keep your eyes forward.

- Yes, thank you, can I give you a hug?
- That would be my recommendation.

- [Judy] Keep sprinkling those stars.
- Keep your eyes forward.

[Reece softly] Thank you. Thank you.

Love you. You've done a great job
and left your mark here.

Thank you.

That's so… such an honor.
I appreciate that.

- Thank you.
- [Judy] Thank you.

[Reece] All righty.

All done.

I think I said everything
that I needed to say.

- Shared everything, and I just…
- Yeah.

- I didn't know what else to do.
- That's good.

You shared what the Lord wanted you to.

I hope so.

Mmm-hmm.

[Kelli] Reece is a hard one
to put an X through.

They all are.

Yeah, but her life is further along than…

I agree.

Clearly, she's taken some leaps of faith.

Yeah, and I think she knows

how and why her life has changed so much.

- And I appreciate that. She's grateful.
- She gives it credit.

- Very grateful. Mmm-hmm.
- A grateful heart. I appreciate that.

["Cowboy Take Me Away"
by Dixie Chicks playing]

[uplifting song continues playing]

♪ I said I want to touch the earth ♪

♪ I want to break it in my hands… ♪

[Reece] When I auditioned
to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader,

I knew that was a really,
really big dream.

♪ I want to sleep on the hard ground
In the comfort of your arms ♪

♪ On a pillow of blue bonnets… ♪

[Reece] But I wanted to be a part of it,

and I wanted to be a part
of something greater than myself,

and leave a legacy.

♪ I said, "Cowboy, take me away" ♪

♪ Fly this girl as high as you can
Into the wild blue… ♪

[Kleine] It's just crazy
how it goes so slow, but so fast.

You really try to soak up all the moments,
and then all of a sudden, they're gone.

And you're just expected to move on?

It's so hard to move on.

- [uplifting song continues]
- ♪ Closer to you ♪

[Megan] I know it's gonna be
really hard to say goodbye,

but some of the best things in life
will come to an end, and that's okay.

[uplifting song continues]

♪ I want to walk and not run… ♪

[Jenna] I'm gonna go
until my body doesn't let me anymore.

I've already put so much into it,
and I'll continue to do so.

Honestly, it's exciting.
I really learned to love the journey.

♪ I want to be the only one
for miles and miles… ♪

[Faith] It was a roller coaster
full of highs and lows,

but doing what I love most with
my beautiful rookie sisters by my side

and all my incredible teammates
has definitely made up for it.

[Parker] There's so much value
in seeing women unified,

doing something where they're having fun.

♪ Cowboy, take me away… ♪

[Anna Kate] I think this year
I've struggled a lot.

No matter how much hate, there's been
so much good that has come from it.

I have learned so much about myself,

and just how strong I am as a person.

♪ I said I want to touch the earth… ♪

[Thea] Those ladies show up every day.

They come out there.
They put their heart in it.

They excel. They're resilient.
They're not just cheerleaders.

Just because you're on the sidelines
doesn't mean you don't matter.

- [uplifting song continues]
- ♪ Cowboy, take me away… ♪

[Reece] I know this is what I'm gonna miss
the most is just rehearsals with everyone,

but I know that no one can take away
my friendships, my sisterhood.

We'll always have that bond together.

[Megan] I've always had big dreams,

and I'm open to all the opportunities.

I feel like I could still keep on dancing.

[uplifting song continues]

♪ Closer to you… ♪

I think there's a whole different Kleine
out there that I have to find.

- And that involves me leaving DCC behind.
- Yeah.

I'm just excited to see what's next,
where we go.

I'm kind of a leaf in the wind right now.

- And you're the wind. [laughing]
- I know!

[Reece] My hope is if someone's feeling
like they need to take a leap of faith

or move forward or change directions,

that they would have the courage to do it.

I really don't know what is next.

There are some really cool things
that are still trying to get ironed out,

but I know that
I'm supposed to take that leap.

[uplifting song fading]

[gentle music playing]

[both] This is
America's Sweethearts Season Three.

- Wait, I didn't know… Okay.
- That was bad.

[both] This is
America's Sweethearts Season Three.

[Kleine imitates expl*si*n]

[screaming and laughing]

[singing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked]
♪ Defying gravity ♪

[laughing]

When I tell you these are the happiest
times of your life, I'm miserable.

[both laughing] No!

- [in deep voice] No! No!
- Shut up.

Gosh, that countdown clock
is making me nervous.

I know.

Whoa!

- Yes!
- Yes! Go!

- Wait! Oh no!
- Oh!

Oh, my toast!

- Oh no!
- [Kate laughing] No!

"She needs to chill with the tan."

Girls, we should be wearing tanner.
You feel hotter.

You feel hotter.
When you're tanner, you're skinnier.

- Somebody give me a microphone.
- [Judy laughs]

- [man] Right there.
- [both laughing loudly]

[woman] What's your relationship to Santa?

[man] Our relationship to Santa
is we work for him.

We honor him, and we're so excited
that he's gonna be here tonight.

One, two, three.

♪ Ooh, Ungawa ♪

♪ Chavo's got the power ♪

[all] Whoo!

That was hard!

[grunts]

[Faith] Oh! Not bad!

The single back foot was really not in.
[laughing] But I'm gonna let it slide.

- How are you meant to do that in a boot?
- [Faith] I want to know.

What is this?

- These are your secret passwords?
- I have to remember…

- [Judy] Yes.
- [both laughing]

I'm sorry.

- I'm so sorry.
- And to remind me how to copy and paste.

'Cause I always forget.

[both laughing]

Judy!

You are such a security risk.

I was just walking-- Oop!

[all laughing]

Cut!

[gentle music fading]