Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Culture
    2. TV shows

    Where Are the Stars of Netflix's 'America's Sweethearts: The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders' Now?

    The docuseries chronicles the NFL cheerleading squad's 2023 season from auditions to playoffs.

    Quinci LeGardye's avatar
    By Quinci LeGardye
    Published 28 June 2024 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    A still from Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'
    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)
    Jump to category:
    • The Veteran Candidates
    • The Rookie Candidates
    • The Alums
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are an American institution, and now, Netflix superstars. The renowned NFL cheer team is the center of the new hit docuseries America's Sweethearts: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which hit streaming on June 20 and has become one of the most popular and best documentaries of the year. Created by Greg Whiteley (of Cheer and Last Chance U fame), the seven-episode show chronicles the team's 2023 season from auditions to playoffs, documenting the epic highs and lows of NFL cheerleading as the year's hopefuls try out for the world-famous organization.

    Since the series premiered, countless viewers have been searching for updates on the captivating dancers. Read on to learn what some of the fan-favorites from America's Sweethearts are up to now, including who returned to training camp ahead of this year's football season.

    The Veteran Candidates

    Kelcey Wetterberg

    A post shared by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@dccheerleaders)

    A photo posted by on

    Kelcey is a pediatric nurse from Omaha, Nebraska, who returned for her fifth year as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader in 2023. Per her DCC bio, she started dancing at the age of 3 and began competing by 8, as part of Nebraska Dance Company and Millard West Dance Team. In 2017, she became a gold medalist with the United States National Jazz Team. She also spent two years on the Arizona State University dance team, before becoming the Choreography Captain for the University of Nebraska's Scarlets dance team. She graduated from the school's Medical Center with a degree in Nursing in 2019, the same year she joined DCC.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    In 2023, after making it onto the team for her fifth year, Kelcey was named as one of DCC's team captains, a.k.a. a 1st Group Leader. She worked as a nurse during the day and attended DCC practices at night, often leaving the house at 7 a.m. and getting back home at midnight. She said in the docuseries that though her routine was "exhausting," she still "cherished" her time on the team.

    Kelcey Wetterberg in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Kelcey Wetterberg gives a testimonial interview in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    Per her Instagram, Kelcey is currently in the midst of wedding planning, after getting engaged to her fiancé Nate Crnkovich during the docuseries' filming. Last year, the dancer shared the pictures from the surprise proposal, along with a sweet caption.

    You may like
    • harry jowsey wears a tan suit and places his hand over his chest as he greets a group of women on netflix's let's marry harry Your Guide to the 20 Women Competing for Harry Jowsey's Heart on 'Let's Marry Harry'
    • (l-r) Trinity Tatum, Bryce Dettloff, Aniya Harvey, Carl Schmidt, and Zach Georgiou wear formal clothing while standing around a table in front of balloon arches, in the 'Love Island USA' season 8 finale I Found the 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Cast's Instagrams So You Don't Have To
    • A man and a woman (Sam Braun as Josh Regis and Miku Martineau as Teagan Tao) wearing activewear face each other while standing iin a wooden clubhouse, in Netflix's 'Crew Girl'. 'Crew Girl' Is the Next Must-Watch Teen Drama—Meet Its Roster of Rising Stars

    "What a surprise!!! Nate, you are the man of my dreams! You make life so bright and full of love," she wrote. "Our love story has brought so much happiness and growth to my life, & now we get to write a new chapter! I’ll love you forever, I can’t wait to be your wife!!!!!"

    Nate replied, saying, "I love you future Mrs. Crnkovich 😉"

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Victoria Kalina

    A post shared by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@dccheerleaders)

    A photo posted by on

    Victoria grew up with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders all her life; her mother Tina Kalina was a DCC in the '80s, and Victoria has known the team's director Kelli Finglass since she was born. Growing up in Coppell, Texas, Victoria began dancing at age 2 and competed with Top Hat Dance Centre, later becoming a teacher at the studio in high school, per her DCC bio. When she was 18, she first auditioned for the team in a process chronicled on the CMT show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team, which ran for 16 seasons from 2006 to 2021. Though she was cut from training camp on her first attempt, she returned the next year and made it onto the team at 19.

    At the start of America's Sweethearts, Victoria auditions for her fourth year on the team, and makes it through training camp to join the 2023 roster. As the cameras follow her for the season, we see Victoria's home life living with her mother Tina, with whom she's extremely close. Victoria also recalls her tenure on the team and opens up for the first time about her struggles with depression and disordered eating. "Whenever I get into a bad depression, I turn to bad coping skills, which causes bad eating habits," she explains on the show.

    Victoria Kalina in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Victoria Kalina in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    In the final moments of America's Sweethearts, Victoria confirmed that she did not plan to re-audition for her fifth year at DCC. Just days after the docuseries arrived on Netflix, the former cheerleader posted her first-ever YouTube video, where she revealed that she's set to move to New York City to continue her dance journey. She mentioned that she has always admired the Radio City Rockettes, but added that she's "open to any and all opportunities that are out there."

    What to read next
    • Minka Kelly as Quinn, wearing a white dress and cardigan, holds flowers as she walks through a field with a farmhouse behind her, in Episode 202 of Netflix's 'Ransom Canyon.' Giddy Up and Meet the Cast of Sexy Cowboys in 'Ransom Canyon,' Netflix's Soapy Western-Romance Series
    • the cast of the ultimatum season 4 cheers glasses with the hosts at the reunion Five Couples Left 'The Ultimatum' Season 4 Engaged—But Who's Still Together?
    • The 'Love Island USA' season 8 cast (l-r Jen Terry, Gal Tshnieder, Jaiden Bacciocco, Caleb McDaniel, Parmida Keshani, Corbin Mims, Melanie Moreno) sits around the villa fire pit. Your Guide to the 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Couples Still Standing As the Finale Approaches

    “I might go up there and hate it, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen because I’ve been dreaming of New York City being my home forever," she said. "And I’m so excited to say that is finally happening.”

    The Rookie Candidates

    Anna Kate Sunvold

    A post shared by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@dccheerleaders)

    A photo posted by on

    Anna Kate grew up in Columbia, Missouri in a very athletic family; her sister Caroline is a retired DCC, while their father Jon “Sunny” Sundvold is a retired professional basketball player who played for several NBA teams. Anna Kate competed nationally as a teen, via her local studio Columbia Performing Arts Centre, and went on to join Texas Christian University's dance team, per her DCC bio. According to her LinkedIn, she graduated summa cum laude from Texas Christian University with a degree in business administration in 2023.

    After graduating, Anna Kate relocated to Dallas, where she prepared for her audition with the help of Caroline. (She also lived with Caroline in a studio apartment for several months.) Anna Kate made it through training camp and became an official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. During her rookie year, she also began her career in the financial planning industry.

    Anna Kate Sunvold in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Anna Kate Sunvold (center) sits with the rest of the team in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    Anna Kate is currently part of the 2024 training camp for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, as seen by a group photo shared on the team's official account.

    On her Instagram, she's shared that she has recently been traveling and spending time with her fellow cheerleaders, including attending Reece Allman's wedding last April. Anna Kate has also celebrated special occasions with her boyfriend of four years.

    Anisha Kurukulasuriya

    A post shared by A N I S H A K A Y (@anishakula)

    A photo posted by on

    Anisha, 31, is a pediatric orthodontist, dance instructor, and former dancer for both the NBA's Golden State Warriors and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. She currently serves as an ambassador for the National Desi Dance League. According to her National Desi Dance League bio, she attended the University of Southern California as an undergrad, where she was a member of the Zeher dance team and won the title of Miss Bollywood America. She was previously a key dancer in Lilly Singh’s World Tour: A Trip To Unicorn Island, and she toured with the renowned dance troupe Mystic India.

    Anisha auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2023 and impressed the judges with her Bollyfusion solo, making it into training camp. However, she was eventually cut before the team was finalized. In a sentimental Instagram post, the dancer reflected on her audition and training experience.

    Anisha Kurukulasuriya in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Anisha Kurukulasuriya stretches in the locker room in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    "I know I had joked about fighting for my life every day in training camp, but I truly have no regrets about auditioning; it was an extraordinary experience to dance alongside these incredibly talented and compassionate women and I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made along the way through @dccheerleaders," she wrote. "Representing the South Asian community on such a prestigious platform was a true honor, and I hope it opens doors for others in our community to excel in this industry."

    Per Anisha's Instagram bio, she splits her time between L.A. and Dallas, and she regularly hosts dance workshops in both cities. She has also taught classes in cities including London, Chicago, and N.Y.C. She doesn't appear to be part of the 2024 DCC training camp.

    Charly Barby

    A post shared by Charly Barby (@charly.barby)

    A photo posted by on

    Charly grew up in the San Francisco area in Livermore, California, and began dancing ballet when she was 2-years-old. She shared her love of dance in the docuseries, explaining, "Ballet is a great base to have…there’s a right and a wrong to technique, and I always like to get it right.” While attending Arizona State University, Charly danced on the school's dance team and competed nationally. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in communications and a minor in media analysis in 2023.

    Charly stunned the judges with her impressive technique during the 2023 auditions, and easily made it into the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' training camp. However, she was dropped from the team during the final cut. She reflected on her experience in an emotional comment, accompanied by an Instagram reel of her practices throughout the camp. "The amount of hard work, determination and dedication it takes to chase this dream is unlike anything, and I absolutely thrive off of it," she wrote, later signing off, "I’ll see you next year ;)"

    Charly Barby in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Charly Barby tries on the DCC uniform, in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    Over the past year, Charly has shared many dance and travel posts on Instagram, including a birthday trip to Hawaii and a solo trip to N.Y.C., where she met up with her fellow rookie candidate Kelly Villares. On June 26, 2024, the official DCC Instagram account revealed that Charly is currently part of the training camp for the 2024 team.

    Kelly Villares

    A post shared by Kelly Villares (@kellyvillares)

    A photo posted by on

    Kelly is a Weehawken, New Jersey, native who has dreamed of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for most of her life. In interviews with her parents, Lina Londono and Onel Villares, the now-divorced couple shares that Kelly has loved dance since she could walk and that they stayed married throughout her childhood partly so they could afford her lessons. Kelly trained at Studio L Dance Company in New Jersey and competed nationally on the studio's award-winning team, per her Instagram. In 2023, she graduated from Rutgers University, where she was a co-captain of the school's dance team, and soon after traveled to Dallas to audition for the team.

    On America's Sweethearts, she shows off her 20 years of dance experience with a lyrical-jazz solo to Céline Dion's "Ashes," and she makes it into training camp. Kelly even gets a makeover as part of the training, where she dyes her hair brunette after several years as a blonde. However, in episode 3, Kelly gets cut from training camp, due to her lack of experience with the DCC's choreography and style of dance.

    Kelly Villares in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Kelly Villares (center), in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    Now at 22, Kelly is currently taking part in her second year of training camp, as a rookie candidate for DCC's 2024 team. On June 26, 2024, the franchise's official Instagram shared a photo of Kelly from her latest audition for the team, along with this year's set of potential rookies. The dancer shared her excitement for this year's training camp in a comment on the post.

    "I am so privileged and honored to be back in Training Camp," she wrote. "Grateful is an understatement!! Thank you for this opportunity 🥹🤍"

    The New Jersey native has also shared updates from her life post-show on Instagram. She appears to have spent the months training for this year's auditions and spending time with the friends she made during the 2023 training camp. Last April, she joined Charly Barby, Anna Kate Sundvold, Camille Sturdivant, and other familiar faces in Florida to celebrate Reece Allman's wedding.

    Reece Allman

    A post shared by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@dccheerleaders)

    A photo posted by on

    Reece was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where she began dancing at the age of 3, per her DCC bio. She attended a School of the Arts for grade school and competed in pageants as a teen, winning Miss Florida Outstanding Teen in 2017. For college, she attended the University of Alabama, where she received a degree in dance after being a member of the school's dance team for four years. She is also a devout Christian, who says in the docuseries that she believes her dancing abilities are a gift from God.

    Allman was an instant star as soon as she appeared on America's Sweethearts, thanks in part to her skilled Latin ballroom-inspired tryout solo. She tried out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2023 after graduating from college, and once she got through training camp, she became an official rookie on the team. She relocated to Dallas alongside her then-fiancé Will Allman, who she met when they were students at Bama (and who was her "first-ever boyfriend.")

    Reece Allman in the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'

    Reece Allman, in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

    (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

    In April 2024, Reece and Will were married in a gorgeous ceremony in Jacksonville. Per a wedding Reel shared on Reece's Instagram, the bride even performed a DCC dance routine at the reception. Many of the friends Reece met in the docuseries attended the wedding as well.

    In another post, Will wrote of the occasion, "Married the woman of my dreams in front of 250 of my best friends and family. A perfect day that will never be forgotten. Thank you to all of you who were able to come celebrate Reece and I!"

    Reece recently auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' 2024 team, per an Instagram Reel shared by the franchise's official account. She's currently part of the 2024 training camp.

    The Alums

    Caroline Sunvold

    A post shared by Caroline Sundvold (@carolinesundvold)

    A photo posted by on

    Caroline, 28, is a dancer and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, who performed on the team for five years before retiring after the 2022 season. The Columbia, Missouri native discovered her love of dance as a toddler and has trained for most of her life. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s in business administration with a minor in finance in 2018. Just months later, she passed training camp and became a DCC rookie, eventually earning titles for both Rookie of the Year in 2018 and Veteran of the Year in 2022.

    When America's Sweethearts began filming in the summer of 2023, Caroline was still recovering from foot and hip reconstruction surgeries, the latter of which she had put off to complete her final DCC season. After she helped coach her sister Anna Kate in preparation for the 2023 audition, Caroline attended alumni events and reflected on the next stage of her life after being a DCC (and the emotional crash that comes with so much change).

    Caroline currently works as an account manager for a Dallas-area medical device company, per her LinkedIn. She also recently received a certificate in mastering sales from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. On the personal front, the dancer has also shared snapshots of her recent travels to Tulum, Mexico and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on her Instagram.

    Explore More
    Netflix Documentary
    CATEGORIES
    Sports
    Quinci LeGardye
    Quinci LeGardye
    Social Links Navigation
    Culture Writer

    Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.

    Read more
    A man and a woman (Sam Braun as Josh Regis and Miku Martineau as Teagan Tao) wearing activewear face each other while standing iin a wooden clubhouse, in Netflix's 'Crew Girl'.
    TV shows 'Crew Girl' Is the Next Must-Watch Teen Drama—Meet Its Roster of Rising Stars Miku Martineau leads the Netflix series as a competitive rower in a love triangle with her teammates.
    By Jessica Derschowitz
    dam Sandler, Sunny Sandler and Sadie Sandler smiling on the red carpet for Netflix's "Spaceman" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on February 26, 2024 in Los Angeles
    Movies Adam Sandler's Daughters Sunny and Sadie Are Taking Over Netflix After Sadie's breakout role in 'Roommates,' Sunny's getting raves for her dramatic turn in 'Don't Say Good Luck.'
    By Quinci LeGardye
     
     
    Dannelle Davidson wears a wedding dress and veil while talking with Harry Jowsey (unseen) in the finale of Netflix's 'Let's Marry Harry.'
    TV shows 'Let's Marry Harry' Runner-Up Dannelle Davidson Has a Lot of Thoughts About That Shocking Finale While fans wait for the reunion, the 33-year-old cocktail waitress is already spilling behind-the-scenes secrets.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    the women from secret lives of mormon wives sit around a table with a checkered table cloth wearing flower crowns and drinking dirty sodas in a still from mormon wives season 4
    TV shows 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Returns in September. Here's What We Know Expect the off-screen drama that unfolded in recent months to make it to the screen.
    By Megan Wahn
     
     
    Latest in TV shows
    A still of Taylor Frankie Paul and Ben Lambert in 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.'
    TV shows 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 6 Is Already Filming. Here's All the Updates So Far
    A man in a black suit (Hyun Bin as Baek Kitae) sits at an ornate desk, with the Korean flag behind him, in Hulu's 'Made in Korea.'
    TV shows Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan Tease Their Sibling Rivalry in 'Made in Korea' Season 2
     
     
    A group of women wear yellow jerseys while posing in a baseball dugout, in the TV series 'Slo Pitch.'
    TV shows Looking for a Sapphic Sports-Romance? Here's How to Watch 'Slo Pitch' This Fall
    A man and a woman (Sam Braun as Josh Regis and Miku Martineau as Teagan Tao) wearing activewear face each other while standing iin a wooden clubhouse, in Netflix's 'Crew Girl'.
    TV shows 'Crew Girl' Is the Next Must-Watch Teen Drama—Meet Its Roster of Rising Stars
     
     
    Latest in News
    Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the launch of The Queen's Baton Relay for the XXI Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2017
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Greeted Prince Philip "Wearing a False Beard"
    Nicole Kidman arrives on Day Thirteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Friday, September 11, 2026 in Flushing, NY
    Celebrity Style Nicole Kidman Styles a French Girl Staple at the US Open
     
     
    Jennifer Lawrence in New York City wearing the aqua color trend, transitional fall loafers, and carrying a rare Hermes Kelly bag
    Celebrity Style Jennifer Lawrence Pairs Her Hermès Bag With the Aqua Trend
    Crown Princess Leonor of Spain arrives at Carlos III University on September 07, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
    Royals One Princess Is "Setting the Blueprint" for Future Royals
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.