Netflix’s latest documentary series has left viewers both shocked and hooked, delving into the complex world of cheerleading—a sport often synonymous with pep and vigor. The series, titled “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” premiered on June 20 and gives an insider’s look into the lives of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders during their 2023-24 season.
Since their inception in 1961, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have become a globally recognized icon, known for their star-spangled blue uniforms and sparkling pom-poms. Despite their job to present cheerleading as effortless and fun, the series exposes the strenuous and often unglamorous reality behind their spectacular performances.
“Many cheerleaders perform around full-time jobs,” noted Netflix, highlighting the intense dedication required to balance life and cheerleading. Greg Whiteley, the creator of the series, remarked, “The kind of access and creative freedom we need to make the kind of work we want to make is not easy to come by — especially when dealing with a brand as large as the Dallas Cowboys.”
Thanks to the Cowboys’ cooperation, the filmmakers were granted unprecedented access, which Whiteley believes has allowed them to authentically portray one of America’s most cherished cultural institutions.
The unfiltered glimpse into the cheerleaders’ lives has unveiled some unsettling truths, particularly regarding their compensation, which is remarkably low. This revelation has been too much for some viewers, with the series quickly climbing Netflix’s Top 10 list, yet prompting some to turn it off prematurely.
“Was watching America’s Sweethearts on Netflix but I had to stop because the way they treat Victoria gets me so mad!!,” one viewer expressed their frustration. Meanwhile, Emily Vernem, writing for Mamamia, pointed out the series’ “lack of representation,” which led her to switch it off as well.
Conversely, other viewers found themselves captivated by the unvarnished portrayal of the cheerleaders’ lives. “Watching ‘America’s Sweethearts’ about the Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders on Netflix and my God, this needed a trigger warning. So upsetting, but I cannot stop watching,” shared another viewer, illustrating the series’ compelling yet distressful nature.
Another viewer recounted, “Wanted a Netflix show to have as background noise earlier so went for something uninteresting – I am now extremely invested in who makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading team. What a fantastic series.”
“America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering an eye-opening look at the challenges and triumphs of America’s most famous cheerleading squad.