It’s a new year, a new team, and a new set of challenges for getting on the squad. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 captures the audition process for the 2025-2026 squad. For fans of the DCC, training camp is a make-or-break competition within itself. And after the team achieved a major pay win the previous year, this cycle offers a positive prize for all the grueling stress: a livable wage.
This time around, the real challenge for aspiring rookies is the limited number of spots available to join the team. But in reality, the biggest challenge is the lack of screen time plaguing the third season.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 sticks to what works best for the docuseries. The series finds its groove in the third season, setting a format standard for what it’ll capture in its Netflix iteration. For example, the previous CMT series (Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team) included elements like interviews and more elimination rounds. However, the Netflix series develops a character-driven narrative, spotlighting more emotional moments and focusing on key story arcs.
Familiar voices.
These elements work best when the show gives itself time to build these stories. Like Dayton’s surprise return for another audition process. It was somewhat shocking to see her audition again. She wants it so badly, but in reality, the team may not be the best fit for her.
Her style of dance is lyrically beautiful, but the team’s cheerleading energy mixes fierceness and fire. Season 3 explores a sobering truth of auditioning for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Dayton’s journey: sometimes the judges’ panel is unshakable, and there is an end of the road. Dayton may not make the squad, but there is a better path out there that will showcase her as the star she is.
On the other hand, certain veterans were fleshed out more as well-rounded characters. For instance, Kleine and Megan become strong focal points, steering the team’s narrative and their personal paths. Megan takes on the de facto leadership confessional, previously held by Kelcey and Jada. These scenes are essential for bringing the grounded context. Whereas Kleine’s increased presence showcases a powerful personal journey, one that cements that it’s never too late to change one’s career trajectory if you work hard enough. These are great storylines to round out the rest of the veterans.
A rookie state of mind.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 is a season about the rookies. With only six (unofficial) spots to make the squad, it’s a tight reality TV race to see which rookies impress Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell. And in a similar fashion to previous series, only a handful of the rookies get their moment in the TV sun. This narrows the narrative to flesh out these characters, but unfortunately leaves everyone else as surface-level.
Faith is the rookie who gets the lion’s share of the screen time. We see her journey from start to finish, capturing her growth from “cruise ship dancer” to DCC. Faith is a good choice because she’s personable, has fun, and takes her underdog journey very seriously. There is visible growth in her training, highlighting the benefits of the training process.
It’s also great when fallen rookies get their redemption. Jenna’s path to making the squad is a narrative that you will cheer on (pardon the pun!). She got so close during Season 2; being cut as the final training candidate is a bittersweet moment for any rookie. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders does a great job highlighting her growth and how seriously she’s taken this journey, both professionally and personally. We don’t get many stories about inner competitive sabotage, so it feels like a breath of fresh air to explore a new perspective.
Lack of time.
Alternatively, the mixture of having a few open spots and the editing choices became a detriment. People shouldn’t get cut for the sake of getting cut. Season 3 has 30 veterans of a 36-member squad returning for another season, so the trained members were more likely to make it in.
The issue stems from the show limiting itself to only a few key protagonists. As mentioned, Faith gets most of the rookie screen time, and, by extension, her friend Emily is spotlighted as well. But beyond that, only a few other rookies, including Jenna, are highlighted. Who are the other members who made the team?!
It’s a similar issue that happens every season. There are members on the DCC who have barely appeared in the show. Sure, they’re on the squad, but they’re essentially background extras or random call-outs. Plus, for veterans retiring this season, why couldn’t we get more of their journey too? All of the current fifth years depart; their senior year should capture a glimpse of their farewell goodbyes. The episodes would’ve benefited from more inclusions of Kelee, Lea, Madeline S., etc.
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This show needs more than seven episodes, especially since the audition process takes up so much time. There is only a short window to capture the football season. The pacing feels rushed, and when we’re through the auditions, there isn’t much else spotlighted. This season feels lighter than previous entries because everything feels tailored and quick.
If there were more episodes, other cheerleaders would have more notable moments. For instance, Reece’s abrupt, shocking retirement. She makes the team during the first season – it feels so quick! Reece discusses her decision to retire, but the show’s pacing rushes this near the end. A few more tidbits and Easter eggs would’ve helped to craft a well-rounded narrative throughout the season. Instead, the decision feels abruptly dropped after what seemed like a normal football year.
Though America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 makes the smart decision by acknowledging its self-awareness. This is the third season on Netflix – it’s a different world than when it was on CMT. The reality of social media, fame, and influencers within the squad plays a huge role in their impact. These elements shouldn’t be ignored because of how much they affect the members in their personal, professional, and financial lives. Reece feels the negative blow of her newfound fame, but the others are building their social influence. It’s an interesting dynamic that questions the purpose of why someone is auditioning for the squad; a question that will undoubtedly affect future seasons to come.
The bottom line.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 is a lighthearted, fast-paced season. Instead of fully following its format, it narrows to a few key heroes that define its tone and story. Cheerleaders like Kleine, Megan, Faith, Reece, and others bring plenty of heart, adding emotional truth and a human touch to the episodes. While the season continually brings fun and entertainment, its lack of team spots rears its ugly head through questionable editing and narrative decisions
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 is available to stream now on Netflix.
Images courtesy of Netflix.
REVIEW RATING
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America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 - 6/10
6/10
Justin is a fun-loving geek living in downtown Toronto, Canada. He’s an avid TV buff, movie fan, and gamer. He’s written for publications like Entertainment Weekly’s The Community, Virgin, TV Fanatic, FANDOM, The Young Folks, and his blog, City Boy Geekiness.
