The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been established for over half a century but this past year there has been a new light on the team.
24 NFL teams across the nation have cheerleading teams, but no team is better known than the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders often known as the DCC.
But becoming a member of the DCC isn’t the easiest process, with many women having to make repeated attempts to make the team.
“So I first auditioned for DCC back in 2020,” Skillings said. “I did not make it my first year. It was the Covid year. We were in the bubble. It was a very different year, but I learned so much throughout that time and grew so much. And then I made it in 2021, and that was my rookie year, and I’m currently in my fourth year as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.”
After rounds of auditioning the candidates go through a training camp before making the final cuts.
“So training camp is hard,” Skillings said. “People think it’s just like we show up and it just happens and we make the team. But it is difficult. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s several weeks and they don’t hold back on us, but it’s the most rewarding and wonderful experience. You meet all of your best friends and you go through it together, and it’s just something that you learn so much about yourself with and how much you’re capable of. And it’s just a really amazing experience at the same time. So it’s difficult, but it’s so rewarding at the same time.”
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were established more than 50 years ago in 1961, the current Netflix documentary, America’s Sweethearts, has brought a new light on the team.
“I think they did a great job of showing the preparation of what it takes to become one,” Skillings said. “And then also before we go to games and appearances and shows, it’s not just showing up and then we just do the dance and go home. It takes a lot of time and effort and, dedication behind the scenes. And I think Netflix did a great job of, showing the amazing women that are a part of the team as well. And it’s been really cool. I feel like people have gained a new appreciation for DCC as well as like learning things like our signature dance that we do at, all of our all of the Cowboys games. We love it. We love seeing the support and it’s been really cool to see it all grow into what it is today.”
