“A masterclass in leadership”

After a wildly successful first season, Neflix’s docu-series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” is returning on June 18 for season two.

Director Greg Whitely attended the FYC Emmys event for the series and announced its release date, along with a few other details about what to expect from season two.

The first season of the show gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the auditions process to become a part of the coveted cheerleading squad. The series followed the lives of the girls who try out for the team – whether they make it or not – both on and off the field.

It’s a dream to make the team, but that’s only the beginning. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is coming this summer. pic.twitter.com/3HJpGRzAw6

— Netflix (@netflix) April 18, 2024

The series continued even after the auditions were over, showing viewers what it’s like to be a part of the famous DCC. While it provided insight into some of the darker parts of being on the squad (the pressure, the fame, the constant demands and high standards), it also showed us the beautiful friendships and bonds that form amongst the girls.

The team consists of 36 women, and with that many people in one place, you’d expect a bit of drama. But in season one, the only drama you saw came from outside of the team – not within it. The girls all clearly have respect for one another and form a unique sisterhood that only those who’ve been a part of the DCC can fully understand.

Whitely didn’t reveal much about season two, but he did give us a little hint at one of the themes we can expect: leadership.

“They have on this team group leaders. They choose four group leaders and then four women to assist those group leaders. So there’s eight people that would be considered official leaders on the team,” said Whitely. “And to see how seriously the girls take that job… to see how much these girls are invested in each other’s lives, I think – honestly, I love that experience thinking, I need to be a better leader. I’m sort of a leader of a film crew, and I can learn a lot from the way these women led each other.”

“Giving up themselves, being there for them. Sometimes, there would be somebody that would let the team down, and how the team would react to that in order to maintain this very, very high standard of excellence, but still be compassionate when that happens…I felt it’s a masterclass in leadership. That’s going to be one of the storylines of season two,” Whitely revealed.

Whitely also pointed out the obvious – the Cowboys had a terrible 2024 season. They didn’t win the Super Bowl or even make the playoffs for that matter. So he touched on the pressure the cheerleaders feel to help the fans have a good time at the games despite the losses. He also briefly mentioned that there will be “a number of individual stories”. Returning cast members include DCC senior director Kelli Finglass, head choreographer Judy Trammell, and fan favorite cheerleader Reece Weaver.