Anonymous wrote:How old were you when you started taking formal dance lessons?

Tot ballet and tap at three. Danced all the way through college with an emphasis on contemporary and jazz. Started cheer in 1st grade, pop warner, along with tumbling. Cheered on a competitive team in junior high and high school and as I said earlier was on a song squad in college. I know you didn't ask all that but this is pretty typical for girls I was teammates with. On the show when a girl comes on with no dance training well I just don't think they would have made it through the audition pre CMT.

This has been fun! Thanks for all the questions Hope you all have a great night.

How old were you when you started taking formal dance lessons?

How much did you get paid?
$75 per home game it went to $100 my final year. Show group was $1000 for the season and you got paid for appearances if they were televised. Sometimes $25 sometimes $200. Keep in mind only games and appearances were paid. Rehearsals were not but absolutely everything is provided for you. All gear, travel and accommodations. Deep discounts on hair, nails, tan and dental. If you are hurt at practice or a game they foot the bill. Team doctors and physical therapists.

Could you work and be on the Show Squad?
It would be very hard. Most girls on show with jobs were part time. Being a DCC, show squad or not, is your top priority. They expect you to choose DCC over school or work. If you miss a rehearsal you are gone. If you are late twice you are done. You better be in the ER hooked up to life support or dead if you aren't there.

If you worked, was your employer flexible with your schedule?
I was a grad student for two years and then I worked part time at a non profit that was very flexible because they were an organization DCC worked with. Most girls worked for DCC sponsors. Or team dental/doctor etc. Girls with serious jobs didn't last long because the rehearsal schedule is grueling and long and there is no set time when you'll leave.

How much did you get paid?
Could you work and be on the Show Squad?
If you worked, was your employer flexible with your schedule?

Anonymous wrote:Can I start watching this with the current season or do I need to start from season 1?

Each season is stand-alone, so you can start watching any season.

Anonymous wrote:Can I start watching this with the current season or do I need to start from season 1?

There is very little continuity. You are fine to start with this season.

Can I start watching this with the current season or do I need to start from season 1?

Did you get to keep your uniform?
No. That is DCC property and it is in your locker pregame and that is where you leave it post game.

What was your favorite memory from your time with DCC?
I've been trying hard not to reveal the years I was there but I got to cheer at Superbowl. That was freaking amazing. I was also chosen for pro bowl which was a big big honor. Being on show group we got to entertain the troops and go to hospitals. I loved doing that.

Are the DCC squad really nice to one another or is there a lot of backbiting?
To each others faces we were sweet as pie. There were cliques. Not a lot of backbiting or backstabbing but if you were favored you could heavily hint about a girl and she wouldn't make the squad again or be put in the back, not make show etc. There was tons of tattling though. Also a lot of kissing up to your team leader.

Honestly if you were in a sorority it was pretty much the same.

Are you still in touch with members of your squad?
Yes. As a rookie you are paired with a fellow rookie buddy and I am still close with mine. She now works with the Denver Broncos squad. Even though they don't show it I hope they still do that. I am still in touch with 17 of my former team mates.

How is it possible to dance/work-out so much and not get muscle definition?
They want lean tone and soft definition. They don't want us lifting weights or building up muscular thighs or highly defined abs. You work out with Jay and Lin to build your stamina mostly. I was a USC Song Girl and we danced 4 hours a day 6 days a week and I was wrecked after my first practice with DCC. Stamina is huge. We are taught 8 counts then those counts are chained together and assigned to a song. The counts are rearranged and assigned to another song and so on. They move the counts around to keep the routines fresh. Don't get me started on the kickline. We have a joke about having "Nam flashbacks" upon hearing Thunderstruck. Its even more grueling with the new stadium and the touchdown decks. I can't imagine having a timed run up stairs and trying to look cute and fresh about it.

Did you get to keep your uniform?

What was your favorite memory from your time with DCC?

Are the DCC squad really nice to one another or is there a lot of backbiting?

Are you still in touch with members of your squad?

How is it possible to dance/work-out so much and not get muscle definition?

Anonymous wrote:I love the episode where they have to do the interviews. It's shocking how many women don't know simple things about football or current event.

Oh I should have answered this. We were tested on the history of the Dallas Cowboys and it was seriously a part of our lives especially show group. The audition interview was with PR and Charlotte. Kelly and Judy etc weren't part of it at least when I was there.

Do the cheerleaders interact with the players very often?
Not technically. Show squad is at the same pr events but we did not interact and it is really discouraged. We are America's Sweethearts and our focus should be on the fans. House parties were huge though and yes we did interact with the players out of the public eye.

Is dating forbidden or is it allowed if you are discreet?
Dating is forbidden, it is in our contract and you will be cut for it. However sleeping with a player and keeping it quiet happened all the time.

How many cheerleaders end up dating players (during or after they leave the squad)?
When I was on the squad dating an athlete was a huge thing. My boyfriend was a pro baseball player. The girls all wanted a mav, star or ranger. A lot of my squad mates dated and ended up marrying within the Dallas Cowboys organization. Dallas business men were huge too. I can't recall a single girl who dated or married a former Cowboy. It was just a taboo.

I remember chatting with friends who still live in Dallas about the Abigail Klein/Troy Aikman thing. He had long been retired and she had been out for about a year. Rumor was that after one public date got on TMZ Troy was encouraged to break it off. This is just gossip, please don't take it as gospel but in Dallas it was a huge scandal.

I love the episode where they have to do the interviews. It's shocking how many women don't know simple things about football or current event.

For the AMA:
Do the cheerleaders interact with the players very often?
Is dating forbidden or is it allowed if you are discreet?
How many cheerleaders end up dating players (during or after they leave the squad)?

Anonymous wrote:That is awesome!! Seriously, you need to do an AMA. PLEASE do an AMA...

Ask me and I'll do my best to answer.

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't expecting a dcc on here!!!!

What would you say is the average height and weight of an in shape dcc?

5'6 to 5'9 is the sweet spot. Those girls make squad leader and get triangle. Mid point on the kick line. They want tight bodies yet as little muscular definition as possible. I was 5'6.5" and 118 pounds. You are weighed at your audition and you sign a contract that you will remain within 5 pounds of your audition weight. It states that you must "look good" in the uniform and that is up to the discretion of the DCC organization.

There is no actual height and weight guidelines. It is all about the uniform and being proportioned to showcase the uniform. That bit with Kelly and the uniform fitting is true. I'd never been felt up by a female until then haha. You have to have the right amount a skin showing between your top and shorts and between your shorts and boots. They will do their best to pad you up or minimize you to get the perfect DD.

Again if you are a favorite they would turn a blind eye unless the jiggle got out of hand.