The Real Reason DCC’s KayDianna Left the Squad After Replacing Chandi

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KayDianna Davis has hung up her pompoms.

Despite stepping into the role previously held by Chandi Dayle as group leader, she found herself without any supportive voices behind her.

In episode seven of Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” KayDianna explained her transition into leadership, stating, “The Bahamas incident occurred and I stepped up. However, I didn’t feel encouraged or valued. It seemed like Chandi enjoyed the benefits of being the first leader, while I was left with the burden.”

Later on TikTok Live, when asked about Chandi’s absence, KayDianna expressed, “I plan to create a video about that topic someday. One day, I will share the entire story so it can be fully understood.

Which the DCC organization saw as a low dig.  

KayDianna stated in a private moment on the show, “I didn’t mention Chandi’s name. Instead, I received a call from staff, informing me that there was an investigation into my behavior for being a bully and harassing someone. At that point, I was officially suspended. I decided it was best to step away from the organization and show myself respect.

Kelli Finglass mentioned that, in the end, it was KayDianna who decided to let go of the DCC.

She shared with the producers that we had a single discussion providing genuine feedback. I believe she might not have appreciated that conversation, and it seems to be her decision. It happened quite unexpectedly.

Unfortunately, KayDianna missed out on the squad’s final-season celebration, as it turned out she wasn’t able to be there; she was quite upset because she had played a significant role in the team throughout the season.

She clarified that instead of 35 girls, there were actually 36. Despite the challenges faced during the year, she made it a point to support her new team members. She wanted to mark this year as special, regardless of any setbacks. Setting aside staff matters and past events, she emphasized their bond and wished she could join them in celebrating.

Apart from KayDianna and Chandi, other vets like Armani Latimer, Jada McClean, and Amanda Howard have also chosen to hang up their stethoscopes, as depicted in the final episode.

For a closer look at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, keep reading.

According to former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Caroline Sundvold, who starred alongside her younger sister Anna Kate Sundvold in the first season of Netflix’s docuseries ‘American Sweethearts’, the team’s iconic jump split maneuver can have a significant impact.

Caroline revealed in the show that a doctor advised her to undergo surgery due to years of damaging her joints beyond repair. However, she shared her determination to continue cheering for another year despite knowing that a hip surgery recovery could take between three and six months. She expressed her desire to keep going, saying something like “I was thinking, ‘I really want to do one more year of cheerleading.’ I wanted to push through.

After her fifth season, Caroline pointed out that the operation she’d been waiting for was indeed a valuable sacrifice. However, the subsequent foot surgery she experienced turned out to be far more challenging than anticipated.

Caroline remarked, “I assumed hip surgery wouldn’t be this tough, but the complexity of the foot with numerous nerves makes recovery more extensive than expected. From the end-of-season banquet up until now, I’ve primarily been focusing on healing, which has served as quite an eye-opener.

None of which deterred Anna, who after making the 2023 squad was back on the roster for 2024.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire Madeline Salter, affectionately known as America’s Sweetheart, who was once again enthusiastically supporting the Cowboys during their 2024 NFL season. Unlike many others, she has been quite open about her health journey on Instagram, sharing details of multiple therapy sessions. Among these, she frequently visited Kinetic Centre, a renowned sports rehab clinic, to combat tension headaches and have her feet taped for support.

In the shared photo, Dr. Kristina Myles, her chiropractic sports specialist, emphasized their main concern: addressing deep tissue layers in the face that may lead to discomfort, rigidity, or reduced mobility following an injury or excessive use.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are always geared up for some football, yet their dream job isn’t the primary source of earnings compared to other endeavors.

2017 reports by ESPN revealed that NFL team cheerleaders typically earned between $75 and $150 per game, surprising many fans as they believed the glitzy performers were earning substantial or even living wages.

In the premiere of “America’s Sweethearts,” I had the pleasure of witnessing two remarkable women: Kelcey Wetterberg, an alumna of DCC, who dedicates her time as a pediatric registered nurse, and Reece Allman (née Weaver), a fresh face from the first season, who balanced her cheerleading career with work at a florist in Dallas to boost her income. I eagerly await their return for the 2024 season!

As reported by the Dallas Morning News, the compensation for cheerleaders now approaches around $400 per game, along with an hourly wage during the hours they spend preparing for games and attending events.

Nevertheless, Kat Puryear, an alumna of DCC, expressed on the Netflix show that her income is roughly equivalent to a substitute teacher’s wage or that of a full-time employee at Chick-fil-A.

Megan McElaney, set to return in 2024, shared a peek into her usual routine as a multi-tasking NFL cheerleader, detailing her day that begins at 6:15 a.m.

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Megan McElaney, who will be back in 2024, presented a brief look into her everyday life as an NFL cheerleader juggling three roles, starting with her 6:15 a.m. alarm clock ringing.

Beyond her day job as a marketing/recruitment coordinator at Bluecrest Financial Alliances, according to LinkedIn, she has taken on the role of makeup artist for The Styling Stewardess. Once her workday wraps up, she heads to AT&T Stadium for evening practice that concludes at 11 p.m.

According to Salter, speaking to TopMob News, “DCC has shown many of us the importance of good time management. It’s crucial that we find a balance between our work, DCC responsibilities, and personal time.

Ensuring top physical condition is an essential aspect of our role, but personalized uniforms designed according to each cheerleader’s figure have allowed us to transcend a time that was overly preoccupied with body image concerns.

In response to inquiries from TopMob News, Kelli Finglass, the DCC director since 1991, emphasized that the focus isn’t on weight when tailoring the uniform for optimal fit and aesthetics. She explained that each girl is responsible for their own dietary habits and fitness routines. A gym is conveniently located next to their dance studio, and nutritionists and mental health professionals are accessible should they need guidance or support.

Women have the liberty to concentrate on their individual routines, and our aim is to offer relevant resources and educate them. We prefer to keep things as they are, and I believe this approach benefits us all.

On their website’s FAQ for the DCC auditions, it is recommended that you should appear properly proportioned while wearing dance attire. It’s important to note that there are no particular height or weight prerequisites specified.

Over the course of its history, the DCC organization has undergone significant changes, with its iconic uniforms not being introduced until 1972. However, despite these transformations, the fundamental essence of the organization remains much the same as it was at its inception.

Finglass shared with the New York Times that it appears everything surrounding the cheerleaders has transformed. They’re adjusting to multiple aspects such as social media and visibility, but at their core, they remain exceptional dancers. A crucial part of their work necessitates a selfless attitude, which has been consistent throughout our entire history.

Another resource at the ready: An etiquette coach.

According to Finglass, they often attend dinners with senior military figures. This means they find themselves in circumstances that might be new to someone who is 18 or 19 and comes from a small town, he added to the Times.

Given the worldwide enthusiasm for the DCC, she added, “It brings me joy to see them grasping various aspects, becoming refined, composed, and ready. My goal is simply to provide them with as many resources as I can, so they can feel confident.

As an ardent fan, I’ve always admired how the players step onto the field with an effortless elegance. Despite having access to professional makeup artists for photo shoots, they take charge of their hair and makeup before games. It’s fascinating! Sophy Laufer, who joined the team in 2022, has generously shared her secrets on achieving that stunning game day glow through a tutorial on TikTok. I can’t wait to try it out myself!

In terms of aesthetics, there are a few guidelines: Lipstick should not be red, and fingernails should not be either. Additionally, your hair should always be worn loose, and Dallas’ Tangerine Salon has been making women’s hair bouncy for quite some time.

Even with the most flawless, smooth, blemish-free legs ever, as a DCC, they will always be covered in sheer stockings.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share a suggestion that might come in handy, especially when preparing for events or games. If you happen to sport a tattoo, there’s no need to worry! However, to maintain a uniform appearance and adhere to the dress code, consider skillfully concealing your tattoo with a blend of makeup and bronzer. This simple trick can help ensure that you fit right in and feel confident during the game or event.

Spray tans should ideally have a warm hue without an orange tint, according to the DCC website, and the shade of your face and body should be consistent. If a spray tan is overly dark, it can make facial features less distinct.

In addition to their role at the DCC, Judy Trammell, the lead choreographer, was pleased to observe that the community spirit embodied by them was evidently portrayed within the production of “America’s Sweethearts”.

As a dedicated follower, I can’t help but express my regret that the 16-season long CMT reality show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, which concluded in 2022, didn’t delve into the activities we engage in during the rest of the year. Trammell shared this sentiment with Entertainment Tonight, stating that it barely scratched the surface of our USO tours, visits to veterans hospitals, and interactions with children at hospitals – aspects of our lives that are far more extensive than what’s been portrayed on screen.

After you depart the team, Finglass shared with TopMob News, there is a vibrant and interactive alumni group known as “The Spirit of DCC” that you can become a part of.

Just as transitioning out of the military brings about a significant shift in lifestyle from regularly seeing your fellow soldiers during drills to not, retiring from cheerleading also represents a major life change, going from spending evenings with your teammates at rehearsals to not. This is why we make an effort to provide alumni activities right away. It’s truly unfortunate for everyone involved.

Reflecting on how the women continue to celebrate significant events in their lives – like weddings, followed by their children’s weddings – for many years beyond their active cheering days, Finglass commented, “It feels like being a school teacher, and when your students graduate, you’re always eager for the incoming freshmen. However, you have feelings, and you know that some relationships will not be as frequent or immediate as they once were.

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2025-06-20 22:18