In 2025, the internet wasn’t torn apart by world hunger or a political uproar, it came from the 2025 Emmy Nominated documentary, “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” The show follows America’s sweethearts as they navigate their way through tearful auditions through to ruthless training camps, in hopes to achieve their dreams and secure a spot on the most iconic cheerleading team in America.
Season 1 of this hugely popular documentary was released in 2024 and instantly built a cult following, with 678 million minutes watched in the first week alone (Hailu 2024.)
Figure 1: (Netflix 2025)
After the second season was released in June, the show’s momentum has not slowed; In fact, a newly recruited cheerleader has sparked major excitement down in the Southern Hemisphere.
Faith Ward, a New Zealand born, Perth-raised dancer has made the team as the first New Zealander and second Aussie to ever wear the iconic blue and white. However, Ward has divided fans before she has officially picked up her pom poms. Why? Her slick, high ponytail is the reason.
In the world of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders hair isn’t just hair. It’s legacy, it’s branding and it is tradition. Since the 70’s, their big bouncy curls have been part of the DCC image, some say changing this is fresh and interesting and others say it is just wrong.
Figure 4 & 5: (Melrose 2025)
So, when one rookie broke the mould with her sleek ponytail, it was bound to stir conversation. The origin story behind this ponytail was actually really mundane, Kelli Finglass, the director of the DCC Cheerleaders saw it in her headshot and loved it.
“Kelly is out here rewriting DCC history” – @charlottescottt_ on TikTok
“…But have you watched that Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders reality show? Fascinating.” – Will Ferrel (Nast 2024)
Figure 5: Ward’s Headshot (Ward 2025)
So, why the huge debate over a ponytail?
Because this isn’t really about hair. It’s about control.
Does it concern you that so much time has been spent debating the impact of a DCC cheerleaders hairstyle? Is it funny or should we seriously be considering why this
matters so much. Is this really about hair or is it a reflection of the deep-rooted sexism that is still so prevalent in our society.
When a ponytail evokes a bigger reaction than how shockingly underpaid these women have been for decades, maybe it is time that we ask ourselves why this show was so popular. Are we truly hoping these women succeed, or do we just want to continue to objectify and control them.
References
Frank, Alex, and Amanda Richards. 2015. “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 — Everything to Know.” Netflix.com. 2015. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/americas-sweethearts-dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-season-2-release-date-trailer-news.
Hailu, Selome. 2024. “Luminate Streaming Ratings: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Docuseries Debuts at No. 2 behind ‘Bridgerton’ June 21-27.” Variety. July 1, 2024. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-bridgerton-luminate-1236057171/.
Law, Angela. 2025. “Everything We Know about DCC Director Kelli Finglass after Season 2 of America’s Sweethearts.” ELLE. June 23, 2025. https://www.elle.com.au/culture/entertainment/kelli-finglass-dallas-cowboy-cheerleaders-director/.
Manno, Olivia. 2024. “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Charly Barby Demonstrates True Grit.” Dance Magazine. November 2024. https://dancemagazine.com/dallas-cowboys-cheerleader-charly-barby/#gsc.tab=0.
Melrose, Denholm. 2025. “Faith the Key for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Newest Dancer, Hailing from Perth! – Perth Is OK!” Perthisok.com. July 18, 2025. https://perthisok.com/news/faith-ward-dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders/.
Nast, Condé. 2024. “Will Ferrell & Kristen Wiig Answer the Web’s Most Searched Questions.” WIRED. 2024. https://www.wired.com/video/watch/google-autocomplete-inverviews-kristen-wiig-and-will-ferrell-answer-the-webs-most-searched-questions.
Netflix. 2025. “AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | Season 2 Official Trailer | Netflix.” YouTube. June 4, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmosOrPJeMM.
Ward, Faith . 2025. “FAITH WARD (@Flexi_faith) • Instagram Photos and Videos.” Instagram.com. 2025. https://www.instagram.com/flexi_faith/.
meah taylor 
Elizabeth Harris 
Ebony B
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