Netflix’s hit series following the audition process, training and lives of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, “America’s Sweethearts,” has returned for Season 2 with a mix of fresh and familiar faces.
The second season of the docuseries follows the making of the 2024-2025 team, which had 36 spots comprised of 24 veterans and 12 rookies.
The seven episodes follow squad hopefuls as they audition for a coveted spot on DCC and make their way through training camp. The series then chronicles the highs and lows of the Dallas Cowboys’ football season.
So who made the 2024-2025 team? Below, read the full list.
Which veterans returned to the team in 2024-2025?
Here’s a look at some of the familiar DCC faces “America’s Sweethearts” viewers might recognize from Season 1.
Chandi Dayle
Chandi Dayle returned for her sixth year as a DCC during the 2024—2025 season. After making the squad another year, Dayle shared a photo of herself on Instagram with some of her fellow cheerleaders, captioning the post, “Smiles & kisses because football is back.”
Armani Latimer
The 2024-2025 season marked Armani Latimer’s fifth year as a DCC. The cheerleader, who has alopecia areata, went viral in December 2024 for performing without her wig during one game.
Jada Mclean
Jada Mclean, a fifth year veteran, went into last season preparing to retire from her role as a DCC at the end of the year, per Tudum. During Season 2 of “America’s Sweethearts,” she revealed that her father, a big Cowboys fan, originally inspired her to try out for the team.
KayDianna MacKenzie
KayDianna MacKenzie is a fourth year DCC veteran. Per Tudum, she formerly served as the captain of the Texas Christian University Showgirls and has three World Championship dance titles.
Kelee Norris
Kelee Norris recently returned for her fourth year as a DCC. According to her squad bio, she originally decided to audition for DCC because she “wanted to step out of my comfort zone while continuing to push myself as a person and performer.”
Kleine Powell
Kleine Powell is a fourth year veteran who describes her role as a DCC as “a lifelong dream” in her team bio. When asked what she loves the most about being a DCC, she offered the following response: “Dancing with 35 of the most amazing women in the coolest stadium this side of the Mississippi!”
Lea Tunnell
Lea Tunnell, a fourth year veteran, started dancing when she was 3 years old, per her squad bio, and started competing at the age of 11. “Joining this team exceeded my expectations in many ways, especially in the friendships I’ve formed,” she said.
Madeline Salter
Madeline Salter, whose mother Shannon Hall Salter cheered for the squad in the ‘80s, returned for her fourth year as a DCC in Season 2. She called the news “a blessing” and congratulated all the veterans and rookies on the team in an Instagram post.
Megan McElaney
Fourth year veteran Megan McElaney first started dancing when she was 3 years old and started competing at the age of 8, per her DCC bio. She has trained in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and musical theater.
Tori Skillings
Fourth year veteran Tori Skillings called her role as a DCC her “proudest accomplishment” in her squad bio. “I knew I wanted to audition for DCC ever since I was a little girl. This has been a dream of mine for pretty much my whole life,” she said.
Amanda Howard
Third year veteran Amanda Howard’s dancing background dates back to her childhood when she started dancing at the age of 2. She decided to audition for DCC years later and explained her motivation in her squad bio, saying, “Each of these women live their lives as good stewards, embodying kindness and generosity and I want nothing more than to be a part of that.”
Karley Swindel
Karley Swindel returned for her third DCC season last year. In her squad bio, the cheerleader said she was inspired to try out for the team after meeting them when she was 5 years old.
“As soon as I interacted with them, I knew that’s what I wanted to be when I grew up. I truly believe that the DCC embody everything a woman should be,” she said.
Kylie Dickson
Kylie Dickson returned for her third season as a DCC in Season 2 of “America’s Sweethearts.” In her squad bio, she detailed her favorite part of being on the team, citing the “comradery with the women on this team.”
Marissa Phillips
Third year veteran Marissa Phillips returned as a DCC in Season 2 of “America’s Sweethearts.” In her squad bio, she said she wanted to be a cheerleader since she was a child and believes that “DCC is the best of the best.”
Sophy Laufer
Sophy Laufer came back for a third season as a DCC last season. In “America’s Sweethearts,” she spoke openly about her experience with a photographer who allegedly touched her inappropriately while she was dancing during a game. While reflecting on her upcoming third year on the squad, Laufer shared the following message on Instagram: “Feeling SO lucky & blessed to wear these boots for a 3rd season!”
Anna Kate Sundvold
After appearing as a rookie cheerleader in the docuseries’ first season, Anna Kate Sundvold came back as a veteran for the 2024-2025 season. In an Instagram post, she expressed her excitement for the journey ahead, writing, “Blessed is an understatement! I am so honored to be back, cheering for the Cowboys, for year two.” Her sister, Caroline Sundvold, is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.
Brooklyn Davis
Brooklyn Davis came back for her second year as a DCC during the 2024-2025 season. “Blessed with another year of doing what I love most with the girls I love most!!! Thank you Jesus!!” she captioned an Instagram post.
Camille Sturdivant
Camille Sturdivant came back for her second year with DCC last year. On Instagram, she celebrated her achievement, writing, “I couldn’t be more excited and honored to be returning to @dccheerleaders for my second season! Here’s to another year of doing what I love, surrounded by people that I love. Go Cowboys!!”
Kayla Hayes
Hayes was cut from the squad in 2023, as seen in “America’s Sweethearts,” but returned to the squad in 2024. “I cannot even put into words how I happy and grateful I am to be back as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader! This journey reminded me you never know what God has planned,” she wrote.
Kennedy Hannan
After making the squad for a second year, Kennedy Hannan shard the following reflection on Instagram: “Feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to continue living out my dream with the people I love most! This organization is truly like none other and I’m honored to be a part of it. My heart is SO full & I can’t wait to see what this season has in store.”
McKenna Gehrke
Second year veteran McKenna Gehrke has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who was also an NFL cheerleader. “I’ve always looked up to her; being able to hear about her experiences on the sidelines inspired me to pursue my dream of also becoming an NFL Cheerleader,” she said in her squad bio.
Reece Weaver
Fan favorite Reece Weaver stepped into those iconic white cowboy boots once again last year. In “America’s Sweethearts,” the rookie cheerleader won the hearts of viewers and gave a glimpse into her personal life with her then-fiancé Will Allman. The couple has since married.
Taylor Altieri
Taylor Altieri marked her second year as a DCC last year. In her squad bio, she said she’s “always looked up to the girls on DCC” but “never pictured myself here because it was not my style.” Over time, she changed her mind and called her appointment as a cheerleader a “dream come true.”
Zoë Dale
The 2024-2025 season marked Zoë Dale’s second year as a DCC. In her squad bio, she recalled receiving a DCC Barbie doll when she was 5 years old for her birthday. “Ever since then, I always knew I wanted to pursue this dream after I tried out for Rangerettes,” she said.
Which rookies are joining the squad in 2024?
Twelve rookies joined the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for the 2024-2025 season.
Abby Summers
Per Tudum, Abby Summers is originally from Toledo, Ohio and has years of dance experience. While serving as a member of the Ohio State Dance Team, she helped lead her team to six Universal Dance Association National Championships.
Allison Khong
Rookie Allison Khong began dancing when she was 3 years old and started competing at the age of 5. She danced during high school and college and was inspired to try out for DCC because she had many DCC members as her dance teachers while growing up in the Dallas area, per her squad bio.
Ariel Brumfield
Ariel Brumfield has been dreaming of trying out for DCC for years. “Anyone who knows anything about NFL cheerleading, knows about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The precision, legacy, and talent definitely drew me in, but the caliber of women that comes into this organization is incredible to me,” she said in her squad bio.
Ava Lahey
Ava Lahey started her dancing career at the age of 2 and started competing at the age of 9. She’s trained in multiple styles, including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, Hiphop, lyrical, and modern.
Charly Barby
The rookie lineup included Charly Barby, who was cut in Season 1 of “America’s Sweethearts.” “I still cannot believe this is real life,” Barby wrote on her Instagram. In the post she wrote announcing she had made the squad, she included an inspiring message: “NEVER EVER give up!!!”
Darah Haidet
Rookie Darah Haidet offered the following piece of advice for DCC hopefuls in her squad bio, saying, “I would tell them to go for it with everything they have. Train, research, invest, and give 110% of yourself to this process. Whether you make it or not, the tryout process will make you a better human being and dancer, so go for it and do not look back.”
Julissa Garcia
Like many of her teammates, rookie Julissa Garcia started dancing at an early age and has trained in multiple styles, including ballet, tap, hip hop, ballroom, acrobatics, jazz and lyrical styles.
Kelly Villares
“America’s Sweethearts” viewers will recognize Kelly Villares, who was cut during the prior season. After making the team this time around, she took to Instagram to celebrate, writing, “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to process the fact that my lifelong dream has come true.”
Madie Krueger
Madie Krueger began dancing at 2 years old and trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern/lyrical and acrobatics. Per her DCC bio, trying out for DCC has been a dream of Krueger’s for years. “I realized the organization was so much more than a dance team, but a group of girls who are leaders within the community,” she said.
Michelle Siemienowski
Michelle Siemienowski got her start in rhythmic gymnastics then began competitive dance at the age of 12. She’s trained in several dance styles, including in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, lyrical and ballroom.
Sophia Brown
Rookie Sophia Brown began dancing at 3 years old and went on to compete and train in the following styles: ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, tap and acro. After graduating high school, she commenced her professional dance careers as an NBA dancer.
Trinity Miles
Trinity Miles grew up having DCC members as dance teachers and later decided to try out for the squad herself. “Each of them saw something in me and pushed me to be the best I could be. They gave me the confidence to pursue my goals, try new things, and embrace challenges (fearlessly),” she said in her squad bio.
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