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America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is a Netflix documentary series that delves deep into the lives of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), revealing a stark contrast between their public image and the reality of their demanding roles. Directed by Greg Whiteley, known for his sports documentaries, the series goes beyond the performances to expose the intense pressures and sacrifices these women endure. It highlights the cheerleaders' grueling schedules, body image struggles, and the precarious balance they maintain between their personal and professional lives. The series also critiques the societal expectations placed on female athletes and performers, drawing parallels to other traditionally female-dominated professions. Through a lens of empathy and observation, America's Sweethearts challenges the viewer to rethink the cultural perceptions of cheerleaders and the value of their work.

Introduction to the World of America's Sweethearts

The sixth episode of Netflix’s seven-part documentary series, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, aptly titled “9 to 5,” features a symbolic performance by Dolly Parton during the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game half-time show. The title alludes to Parton’s iconic song about the struggles of working women, setting the tone for a series that scrutinizes the demanding lives of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC). Directed by Greg Whiteley, the series captures the personal and professional challenges faced by the cheerleaders, from the rigorous selection process to the relentless expectations imposed on them throughout the football season.

The Reality Behind the Glamor

Whiteley’s documentary sheds light on the harsh realities of being a DCC, a role that demands more than just athletic prowess. The series portrays the cheerleaders as dedicated athletes whose synchronization, stamina, and painful jump splits are a testament to their commitment. However, it also reveals the obsessive perfectionism imposed by DCC director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell, which extends beyond dance skills to appearance and charm. The cheerleaders are critiqued for being too short, too scrawny, or lacking expert-level makeup skills, highlighting the unrealistic beauty standards they are expected to meet.

Body Image and Performance Pressures

The series delves into the pressures the cheerleaders face regarding their bodies and performance. Finglass’s scrutiny of a rookie’s forehead blemish raises questions about the fairness of these standards. The cheerleaders must fit into a uniform that is unforgiving to the female form, yet no consideration is given to altering the uniform to accommodate the women. This focus on physical appearance often exacerbates mental health and food issues among the cheerleaders, as seen in the arc of Victoria, a second-generation DCC veteran who struggles with her desire for approval.

Gender Politics and the Double Standards

A feminist perspective on the series would note the complex gender politics at play. While the cheerleaders are celebrated for their athletic abilities, they are also expected to fulfill traditional female roles, such as being surrogate granddaughters to nursing-home residents or role models to young girls. The series also touches on the vulnerability of the cheerleaders to sexual harassment, with instances of stalking and groping being alarmingly common. Despite reporting these incidents, the cheerleaders often find little support or justice.

Economic Disparities and the Value of Work

The series critiques the economic disparities faced by the cheerleaders, who are compensated poorly compared to the highly paid NFL players. Former cheerleader Kat compares her salary to that of a full-time Chick-fil-A worker, and the condescending remarks by Cowboys’ chief brand officer Charlotte Jones further highlight the undervaluation of the cheerleaders’ work. Jones’s justification that the cheerleaders are motivated by passion rather than money rings hollow in the face of their long hours, low pay, and the physical and emotional toll of their roles.

Parallels to Other Female-Dominated Professions

Whiteley draws parallels between cheerleading and other pink-collar professions, such as nursing and teaching, where women are expected to sacrifice endlessly for their careers. The series suggests that the occupational hazards of cheerleading—low pay, long hours, and vulnerability to violence—mirror those faced by women in other traditionally female-dominated fields. The documentary questions why society continues to devalue these roles and the women who perform them.

Finglass and the Culture of Perfectionism

Finglass, who was an executive producer of the previous series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, comes across as a strict yet not entirely unsympathetic figure. Her exacting standards create a culture of perfectionism that can be both motivating and damaging. However, the documentary’s subtlety sometimes fails to address the racial disparities within the squad, with minimal focus on the experiences of nonwhite cheerleaders.

Conclusion and Cultural Impact

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders serves as a powerful critique of the glamorized portrayal of cheerleaders. It emphasizes the significant physical and emotional demands placed on the women, questioning the societal norms that perpetuate these expectations. The series highlights the duality of the cheerleaders’ roles as both athletes and performers, exploring the impact of misogyny and the systemic undervaluation of female labor. By providing an empathetic and in-depth look at the lives of the DCC, Whiteley’s documentary challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of cheerleaders and the broader implications for women in similar professions.

The Myth of the Glamorous Cheerleader

At its core, America’s Sweethearts dispels the myth of the glamorous cheerleader. While the DCC are celebrated for their public performances, the series reveals the sacrifices and hardships they endure behind the scenes. The cheerleaders’ dedication to their craft is evident, but so is the toll it takes on their mental and physical health. The series underscores the need for greater recognition and support for the cheerleaders, both in terms of fair compensation and a more realistic understanding of the demands of their roles.

The Broader Implications for Women’s Work

The documentary’s examination of the DCC’s experiences extends beyond the world of professional cheerleading to broader issues related to women’s work. It highlights the persistent undervaluation of female-dominated professions and the societal expectations that women face. By drawing attention to these issues, America’s Sweethearts contributes to the ongoing conversation about gender equality and the need for systemic change in how women’s work is perceived and compensated.

The Future of Cheerleading and Gender Equality

As the series concludes, it leaves viewers with a sense of urgency about the future of cheerleading and gender equality in sports and other fields. The stories of the DCC serve as a microcosm of the challenges faced by women in many professions, and the documentary calls for a reassessment of how we value and support women’s contributions. America’s Sweethearts is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of sports, gender, and labor, offering valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.