Charlotte Jones, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell are tasked with culling down a whole bunch of hopefuls … [+] to a 36-person cheerleading squad.Picture Courtesy of Netflix.
Most individuals can relate to wanting one thing, working onerous to get it, and the frustration of issues not going as hoped. That is the heartbreaking actuality for all however 36 of the a whole bunch of ladies who check out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad annually.
Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley explores how the squad is chosen within the new seven-episode Netflix documentary collection America’s Sweethearts. He admits that behind the scenes, it was as emotional for these filming the collection because it was for the younger girls after they had been instructed they didn’t make the minimize.
America’s Sweethearts, which premiered on June 20, follows the 2023-24 squad from begin to end and it’s about greater than sports activities, massive hair, and pom poms. This collection explores an disagreeable reality: Life isn’t at all times truthful and we don’t at all times get what we wish even when we work onerous and have the expertise.
“I would like my youngsters to imagine that if you’d like one thing and also you’re keen to work for it, you may get it,” Whiteley mentioned in an interview. “The onerous reality is just not at all times. I feel making peace with that’s one thing all of us should be taught.”
There are solely 36 spots on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad. Picture Courtesy of Netflix.
The viewer is aware about the extreme audition course of and coaching camp. There’s a restricted variety of coveted spots and the cuts are painful. The enjoyment for individuals who have made it’s rapidly changed by actuality as the brand new cheerleaders understand the onerous work it takes to characterize this iconic franchise all through the NFL season.
Identified for the Netflix doc collection Cheer and Final Probability U, Whiteley and his workforce had been within the room throughout these brutal, life-changing cuts. He defined that, at instances, everybody was in tears alongside the younger girls as some noticed their desires come true and others noticed theirs minimize quick.
Longtime Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass. Picture Courtesy of Netflix.
Led by longtime director Kelli Finglass, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders open their locker room doorways to doc the non-public tales behind the well-known studded blue and white uniforms to disclose the drive it takes to make the squad, the onerous work it takes to maintain your spot, and the drama among the many cheerleaders and coaches behind the scenes.
When first approached by the workforce to inform this story, Whiteley wasn’t positive it might be a match. “The Cowboys are a large, international model and I used to be nervous they would not be capable to give us what’s required to do the kind of documentary filming we search to do. Particularly, editorial management and the type of entry we would wish.”
After a gathering with Charlotte Jones, workforce proprietor Jerry Jones’ daughter, Whiteley was satisfied he might make this collection. “She was open to giving us what we would wish and I used to be satisfied that this was a much more attention-grabbing world than I’d given it credit score for initially. If you happen to spend 5 minutes with Charlotte, you immediately get the impression that you simply’re within the presence of any person extremely good, polished, and achieved. It’s no accident that they’ve constructed what they’ve constructed with that type of acumen and I simply thought that if I discover her so attention-grabbing and if she thinks the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are attention-grabbing, then I’m all ears.”
For one younger lady, she makes it to the highest 38 earlier than she’s lastly minimize. Via tears, she accepts that God has different plans for her. Because the saying goes, rejection is redirection. Or, because the Dalai Lama is credited as saying, “Do not forget that typically not getting what you need is an excellent stroke of luck.”
Whiteley will always remember that notably intense second. “In virtually desperation and genuine curiosity, she requested what extra she might have performed. There have been no actual solutions. The reality is there’s nothing extra she might’ve performed. It feels merciless in the meanwhile however there’s no actual reply. Typically you aren’t getting what you need regardless of how onerous you’ve labored for it.”