Jada Mclean emerged as a fan favorite in Season 2 of “Americaโs Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” just in time for viewers to learn that she was retiring.
Many fans of the docuseries have applauded the professional cheerleader for the role she played in helping secure a 400% pay raise for members of the squad.
While Mclean opted to end her time with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders at the end of the 2024-2025 season, she left the squad on a positive note, filled with excitement for what may come next.
What has Mclean been up to since wrapping up her time as a cheerleader? We’re catching you up on where she is now.
Who is Jada Mclean?
The cheerleader spent five years with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and was known for being one of the team’s highest kickers, per Netflix’s press site Tudum.
Mclean appeared in Season 1 of โAmericaโs Sweethearts,โ but she was featured more prominently in Season 2.
She initially tried out for the squad since her dad is a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys. She also had a history in dance, including two years on the UC Davis Dance Team, per her DCC bio.
In addition to working for DCC, Mclean has worked as a cosmetics specialist for a dermatology practice, per her DCC bio.
What happened to Jada during Season 2 of the docuseries?
Mclean was one of several DCC veterans who pushed management to approve a raise for the squad’s cheerleaders during Season 2.
Before a DCC performance on TODAY on June 23, Mclean told TODAY.com she’s “super proud” of the team for helping enact change.
โI think it was a moment of unity for our team. We all came together. I think we were very inspired by the women before us and we wanted to inspire the women who come after us,โ she said.
Elsewhere during the season, Mclean opened up about her family life and her sometimes rocky relationship with her father. The cheerleader also supported her teammate Chandi Dayle when she took a leave of absence.
โWeโve all done things that we shouldnโt have done or been in situations that we shouldnโt have been in. Thereโs no time to sit and dwell in the past. We can sit here in this or we can move forward,โ Mclean said in a confessional interview.
Why did Jada Mclean leave DCC?
Throughout Season 2, Mclean made her intentions of retiring after five seasons clear and tried to soak up every minute of her last season. In an Instagram video published in May, the cheerleader offered more insight into her decision to step away from DCC.
“It’s time to take off those boots and hand those poms to someone else. But I prayed on it and I just know it’s time for me to hand those over and let another girl live out this dream,” she said. “I’m ready to see what is next for me in life.”
What is Jada Mclean up to now?
Since wrapping up her time with DCC earlier this year, Mclean has been keeping busy. Here’s a look back at what she’s been up to.
She’s considering a modeling career
In March, Mclean posted a few photos of herself at a photoshoot along with the following caption: “Changing my career from dancer to model.”
While speaking about her retirement in an Instagram video in May, the cheerleader said she is indeed considering pursuing a modeling career.
“I have thought about going into modeling after my DCC career comes to an end. I’ve always wanted to just do DCC while I’m here. I have no experience. I am as amateur as they come in the world of modeling,” she said.
She presented at the ACM Awards
In May, Mclean had the honor of presenting an award at the Academy of Country Music Awards and got to rub elbows with musician Lionel Richie. Afterwards, she shared several photos from the experience, captioning the post, “Had the best seat in the house ๐.”
She celebrated a milestone birthday
In February, Mclean turned 25 and shared a few photos on Instagram to mark the occasion. Several of her DCC teammates commented on the post, including Kleine Powell, who wrote, “My fav,” and Sophia Laufer who commented, “Oolala๐ฅ๐ฅ.”
She appeared on TODAY
This past June, Mclean and several other DCC members appeared on TODAY and performed on the plaza.
During an interview with TODAY.com, Mclean said “America’s Sweethearts” does a โreally good job of showing exactly what takes place” behind the scenes, adding that “they donโt really edit things to not be what they were.”
She’s considering a move
Now that she’s retired from DCC, Mclean is keeping her options open and considering relocating.
In an Instagram video she posted in May, the cheerleader explained why she wasn’t sold on the idea of trying out to be an all-star, or a backup for members of the team when they’re unavailable.
“I just don’t know if I’m going to continue to call Dallas home,” she said.
She’s been traveling
Back in March, Mclean shared several photos of her sunny vacation as she posed in a bikini while posing on a boat. “Where to next?” she captioned the post.
Mclean has also shared a series of other photos from her travels, most recently in Los Angeles.
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