Expect a changeover in the cast of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” when it returns to Netflix on June 18.
Only 23 of 36 veterans from the 2023-2024 DCC team tried out for the 2024-2025 team, meaning there were more rookie spots available than usual.
That also meant a change-up for the show’s cast. Fan favorite Kelcey Wetterberg retired, but Reece Weaver returned. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell came back, too.
Like Season 1, Season 2 of “America’s Sweethearts” follows the squad hopefuls as they audition and make it through training camp. Once the team is chosen, the season chronicles the entire football season.
Here’s a look at some of the new and familiar faces, based on information provided by Tudum and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders’ website. Note that the DCC team is larger than the main subjects featured in “America’s Sweethearts.”
Which DCC veterans are coming back for Season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts’?
Armani
Where to follow her on Instagram: @ac_latimer
Bio: Armani Latimer, a fifth-year DCC veteran candidate, made the team during the pandemic. She works as a law firm billing coordinator when she’s not busting a move on the football field and hopes to attend law school next, per her DCC bio.
Per Netflix, Latimer was motivated to join the team to “influence little girls around the world” and “advocate for personal issues” based on her experience with alopecia areata.
Chandi
Where to follow her on Instagram: @chandidayle
Bio: Chandi Dayle is a sixth-year DCC veteran who works as a social media marketing manager for a pediatric dentistry practice in her day job.
She also works as a pharmacy technician for her family’s business, at a Pilates studio and as a contract worker for a DCC sponsor.
Jada
Where to follow her on Instagram: @jadaboo0203
Bio: Jada Mclean, a fifth-year DCC veteran, was inspired to try out for the squad because of her father’s love for the Dallas Cowboys.
Outside of DCC, she works as a cosmetics specialist for a dermatology practice and was previously a member of the UC Davis Dance Team for two years, per her DCC bio. She has a black lab named Shyla.
KayDianna
Where to follow her on Instagram: @kaydiannamackenzie
Bio: Fourth-year DCC veteran KayDianna MacKenzie has three World Championship dance titles and 12 years of experience in studio dance, per her DCC bio. She was previously the captain of the Texas Christian University Showgirls.
Outside of DCC, MacKenzie works in public relations and as a dance instructor. She’s married to her husband Eric and has three dogs named Duggie, Maizi and Joey Joy.
Kayla H.
Where to follow her on Instagram: @_kaylahayes
Bio: Kayla Hayes is a second-year DCC veteran who previously made the squad in 2023. After trying out the following year, she was cut before training camp during the auditions process but decided to come back for another go.
During her time attending Butler University, the St. Louis native was captain of her school’s dance team for two years. In addition to dancing, she also works as an assistant facilities manager, per her DCC bio.
Kleine
Where to follow her on Instagram: @kleinepowell
Bio: Kleine Powell is a fourth-year DCC veteran who first made the squad in 2021. She’s an alumni of the University of Kentucky and works as a graphic designer, per her DCC bio.
Powell loves “thrilling” experiences including skydiving and scuba diving, and she’s described as “fearless.” Her husband’s name is Luc and she has two cats.
Megan
Where to follow her on Instagram: @megan.mcelaney
Bio: Before making the DCC squad in 2021, fourth-year veteran Megan McElaney was a member of a dance team during elementary and high school alongside her brother, per her DCC bio.
The California native works as a marketing director when she’s not dancing her heart out.
Reece
Where to follow her on Instagram: @reece_christinee
Bio: Reece Weaver was a fan favorite during Season 1 of “America’s Sweethearts” and returns to the reality series once again this season.
In her free time, the second-year DCC veteran and newlywed works as a social media creator after giving up her job at the flower shop she used to work at last season. When she got married last year, several of her fellow DCC teammates joined her in a performance of “Thunderstruck.”
Sophy
Where to follow her on Instagram: @sophylulaufer
Bio: Third-year DCC veteran Sophia Laufer works as a dance instructor outside of her work on the squad.
The proud pet mom — she has two dogs, a cat and two bunnies — and moved from California to Texas when she was just 18 with her eyes set on becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, per her DCC bio.
Who are the rookies in Season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts’?
Abby
Where to follow her on Instagram: @abbysummerss
Bio: DCC rookie candidate Abby Summers is originally from Toledo, Ohio. She was previously recruited to the Ohio State Dance Team during her junior year of high school and spent four years on the team, leading them to six Universal Dance Association National Championships.
Ariel
Where to follow her on Instagram: @arieljakyra_
Bio: Ariel Brumfield is a DCC rookie candidate and graduate student who previously danced while attending Louisiana State University. After graduating, she auditioned for the squad last season but got cut before training camp.
Ava
Where to follow her on Instagram: @avamarielahey
Bio: Ava Lahey previously tried out for the DCC squad in 2021 but was cut right at the last minute. Now, the rookie candidate, who has been dancing since she was 2 years old, is back for another shot.
Lahey works as a social media manager for a local beauty school and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she was a member of the dance team.
Charly
Where to follow her on Instagram: @charly.barby
Bio: Viewers of the Netflix docuseries will recall Charly Barby getting cut from the 2023-2024 squad. The fan favorite and DCC rookie candidate is now back for another chance after moving to Dallas to commit her full attention to training. To complicate matters, though, she experienced a pulmonary embolism right before tryouts.
Clare Marie
Where to follow her on Instagram: @cmkuebler
Bio: Clare Marie Kuebler is a former Miss Missouri who danced as a Golden Girl at The University of Missouri for four years and served as the team’s co-captain during the 2021-2022 season.
Cooper
Where to follow her on Instagram: @cooper.maas
Bio: Cooper Maas is a DCC rookie candidate who previously cheered for four years at the University of Arizona and worked as a part-time dance instructor during college.
Prior to that, she was a National Dance Team semifinalist in two categories in high school. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports and Society Management.
Dayton
Where to follow her on Instagram: @daytonbramhall
Bio: Dayton Bramhall is a DCC rookie candidate and fitness instructor. Her mother, Shelly Bramhall, discovered she was pregnant with her daughter when she was about to retire from DCC in 1989. She’s now an associate choreographer and event coordinator.
Dayton Bramhall has tried out for the squad twice in the past and took a six-year break since her last audition.
Jenna
Where to follow her on Instagram: @jennawaller_
Bio: Jenna Waller is a San Diego native who graduated from Oklahoma University with a sociology degree. During her time in college, she cheered on the OU Pom squad. Now, she’s a DCC rookie candidate who hopes to earn her spot on the squad.
Kelly V
Where to follow her on Instagram: @kellyvillares
Bio: During Season 1 of the Netflix docuseries, Kelly Villares of Weehawken, New Jersey was cut from the audition process nine days before the first pre-season game. Now, the DCC rookie candidate is back to redeem herself and try once again.
Madie K
Where to follow her on Instagram: @madie_krueger
Bio: Madie Krueger is a recent high school graduate and one of the youngest DCC rookie candidates. She’s a freshman at Texas Woman’s University who’s leaving her family and boyfriend for the first time.
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