Often imitated, never equaled, the DCC is back for more with America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2. Created, directed, and executive produced by Greg Whiteley, the latest installment of the hit Netflix series follows the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and through the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024-2025 season. Back to lead the girls are DCC Senior Director Kelli Finglass and DCC Head Choreographer Judy Trammell, who have been with stalwarts within the organization for decades.

While Trammell and Finglass are both tough, no-nonsense, and often brutally honest leaders, they have soft spots for the women they coach and mentor. “I’ve always wanted the girls to love us,” said Trammell. “That’s been really important to me.” Finglass knows that a large part of their job is building a team whose members will support each other through any difficulties, as well as through any triumphs, that the season will bring. “They’ve been united in many situations this year,” said Finglass proudly. “That has given them strength.”

One of the most impactful storylines this season involves the squad’s fight for a pay increase, led by veterans Jada Mclean and Armani Latimer. They advocated for themselves and struggled to be heard by HR and the powers that be, and their efforts finally paid off for the next generation. For the 2025-2026 season, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will receive almost a 400% pay raise, a staggering amount. “I was very proud of them,” said Finglass when asked about the victory. “The entire organization wants to make sure they feel valued.” For Finglass and Trammell, it is important for the women to feel “happy” and “productive.”


Finglass and Tramell spoke to DECIDER via Zoom to discuss the new season, the situation involving Chandi Dayle that took the team by surprise, and that incredible Kacey Musgraves moment.

DECIDER: Kelli, I love how Greg and his team don’t hide the fact that Season 1 of America’s Sweethearts: DCC was streaming on Netflix while you were filming Season 2. How did that impact your training camp process, if at all?

KELLI FINGLASS: Honestly, we’re used to cameras. Greg’s team manages to be as discreet and as unintrusive as possible, so it doesn’t really affect what we’re doing. We’re training for a football game and live performance, and the cameras are just capturing that. Thank goodness they don’t take a lot of time to make the girls reposition or do things that really slow down the momentum because we have a lot to accomplish in a three-hour rehearsal each night. 


Judy, I was at the show’s FYC event in NYC and you two were going through submissions for auditions this year. What’s been like to juggle different opportunities and obligations when you just want to focus on your passion, which is DCC?

JUDY TRAMMELL: Our season just rolls into the next challenge. We never get a break to sit back and enjoy. We didn’t really get to enjoy the show’s first season coming out because we’re already going on to auditions. We just went through hundreds and hundreds of applicants online to determine our next round of auditions. We also did that while we were on a Texas tour. It just never stops.

Kelli, what do you think the legacy of this season’s DCC squad is going to be?

KF: Each year, our squad chooses a hashtag that serves as that team’s theme. This year, interestingly, their hashtag was #united. I think they have been united through many situations this year and that has given them strength.

Judy, after 40 years with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization, Season 2 saw you pondering your impact on the squad. You say you didn’t want to be remembered as a hard worker, but rather as someone who is warm and known for her hugs. Were you surprised by how vulnerable you got?

JT: I think I’ve always been that way. I’ve always wanted the girls to love us. That’s been really important to me. Maybe I just let loose a little bit more this year because there were some girls that needed me to be different towards them this year.

Kelli, did Judy’s confession surprise you?

KF: Not really, because I know Judy’s core is harmony. Her job requires her to command a room, take charge, and react quickly. There are times whenwe don’t invite conversation or questions, like when we’re changing a routine because someone’s injured and we have two minutes. Judy leads a room when she has to, but her true nature is that of peace. Would you agree with that?

JT: I want everybody to get along. I want everyone to have fun [laughs].

Judy, you were the first to mention that veteran cheerleader Chandi was having a difficult time this season. Was revisiting her final season tough for you?

JT: The whole situation was tough. It was tough on our whole team. However, we relate to Chandi, and we understood that she was going through some tough times. We will always support Chandi. We love her. She’s been a great cheerleader for six years, and just had a little hiccup at the end, but we still respect her.

Kelli, how did it feel watching Chandi take the field for the last time?



KF: When we know veterans like Chandi or Jada or Armani are making the decision to move on, it’s always bittersweet to watch them give their last performance. They are such dynamic performers. We also have relationships with them. Judy and I have felt the sting of retiring. So, it’s bittersweet.

Kelli, you would do anything for your girls, so I know you had to be thrilled to see them receive what they felt was fair compensation. What was it like to see them achieve their goals?

KF: I was very proud of them. The entire organization wants to make sure they feel valued. We needed to have a discussion at the right time when we could make changes, and that has happened now. They’re happy with the program’s enhancements, and we’re happy for them. We want our team to be productive and feel valued.

Judy, the Cowboys didn’t have the greatest season last year. Is it tough for the squad to perform when the fans are feeling low?

JT: It can be. I think this season showed what troopers they are and what they offer from themselves to give great performances, even though we’re not winning the game. It was very disappointing last year, but our job goes on. You’re out there to smile and be a cheerleader, and you can’t show any other emotions on the field. I felt for the girls, but they pulled through.

Kelli, like you, I am a big Kacey Musgraves fan. It was so amazing to watch some of the squad perform during her Deeper Well tour. What was that experience like?

KF: I feel like I have a relationship with Kacey. We’re both from East Texas and we have always communicated, so that’s how that whole performance came about. She’s a beautiful artist. She’s a poet. She’s my musical therapist [laughs]. I was truly thrilled. So many things had to align with Kacey for us to make that show work. It was a busy day too. We also had a Christmas show the same day. As much as we are big fans of hers, she is equally as big a fan of the cheerleaders. Hopefully, we’ll have more activities with her.

Is “Deeper Well” your favorite Kacey Musgraves song? Or do you have another one?

KF: I love all her songs, but especially “Rainbow.” That one was so beautiful at the concert. I also like “Merry Go Round.” Her songs remind me so much of where I am from. They just make me yearn for home.

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.