What Happened to DCC’s Chandi Dayle? Bahamas Scandal Explained

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Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Chandi Dayle’s high kicks were put on hiatus.

After the team’s revitalizing trip to the Bahamas, the usual point person was conspicuously missing from their role. While choreographer Judy Trammell mentioned that the six-year veteran was on an extended break, it later transpired that there was more to this absence than initially disclosed.

During our vacation in the Bahamas, Chandi shared on episode seven of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, that they encountered someone who had experienced similar past events. This person, she said, made her feel like she was collapsing and expressed a sense of isolation, longing for someone to confide in, as if there was no one else to discuss her feelings with.

In her open discussion, Chandi admitted that she violated the team’s rules when she invited a past abuser to her hotel room for a conversation. Yet, it’s important to note that the encounter was not of a sexual nature.

In that particular situation, Chandi shared that Ryan’s appearance on the show provided her with immediate support. She understood that it might not have been the ideal context or timing for his actions. However, personally, she felt compelled to take action because she was starting to feel overwhelmed and thought she needed to do something for herself.

After being away for multiple matches, I temporarily took over as the group leader – KayDianna MacKenzie – before making a comeback for the Cowboys’ last game of the season. However, upon my return, I didn’t resume my role as leader.

At age 28, she openly acknowledged the strain she’d experienced in her position, also mentioning that she’d found herself committing errors in her personal life, following a breakup with her partner.

Regarding how the team responded? Fellow group leader Jada McClean disclosed that some squad members felt uneasy during their stay in the Bahamas, as they were unsure about the identity of an individual who had entered Chandi’s room. “Had it been me,” Jada added, “I wouldn’t have wanted to share a room with a stranger either.

However, she felt understanding towards Chandi, acknowledging that Chandi hadn’t intended to make the team feel uneasy.

Jada clarified, “To some, it seemed like, ‘Wow, you put me in a risky situation,’ or ‘You didn’t consider my safety.’ However, I don’t believe she intended harm. It was more like she wasn’t considering safety concerns at all. She was focused on her own needs at the moment.

Once the season ended, Chandi, who had recently undergone hip surgery, realized it was time to retire her cheerleading pom poms permanently.

She shared with Judy and Director Kelli Finglass that this year she discovered her true self. She admitted she had certainly been lost in her identity for a while, fearful of life outside of dance because it was her essence and sanctuary. However, she now feels at peace.

For a closer look inside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ world, keep reading.

According to former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Caroline Sundvold, who was featured alongside her younger sister Anna Kate Sundvold in the first season of Netflix’s docuseries “American Sweethearts,” the iconic jump split moves take a significant toll.

Caroline revealed that a doctor advised her to undergo surgery due to the damage she inflicted on her joints during four consecutive seasons, as she discussed on the program. However, she expressed her desire to participate in another year of cheerleading despite knowing that a hip surgery like that typically requires three to six months of recovery, saying, “I just wanted to keep going.

After completing her fifth season, Caroline mentioned that the procedure she’d been waiting for was absolutely worth the wait. However, the subsequent foot surgery she endured turned out to be far more challenging than anticipated.

Caroline mentioned, “I assumed hip surgery wouldn’t be this bad, but surprisingly, my foot is packed with numerous nerves. As a result, since the end-of-season banquet until now, I’ve predominantly been focusing on recovery, which has served as quite an unexpected reminder.

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

Notable figure Madeline Salter, affectionately known as America’s Sweetheart, was once again seen supporting the Cowboys during their 2024 NFL season. On her Instagram account, she has shared a greater number of therapy sessions than many others, with frequent trips to Kinetic Centre – a clinic specializing in spine and sports rehabilitation – aimed at relieving tension headaches and providing foot taping.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to share that my trusted chiropractic sports practitioner, Dr. Kristina Myles, emphasizes in a recent post depicting Salter’s treatment, our main goal is to correct the deeper layers within the facial structures that can lead to pain, stiffness, or restricted movement when they become injured or overexerted.

Even though the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are ever-prepared for football games, it’s worth noting that their primary job isn’t the most lucrative aspect compared to other sources of income.

2017 reports from ESPN revealed that NFL team cheerleaders typically earned between $75 and $150 per game, which left many spectators surprised as they believed these attractive entertainers were earning substantial sums or even a fair wage.

In the debut season of “America’s Sweethearts”, former DCC member Kelcey Wetterberg is a dedicated pediatric nurse, while Reece Allman (formerly Weaver), who reappeared in the 2024 season, worked at a flower shop in Dallas to bolster her income from cheerleading.

The Dallas Morning News reports that cheerleader compensation now approximates around $400 per game, with additional payment for hours spent rehearsing for games and making public appearances.

Nevertheless, Kat Puryear, an alumna of DCC, expressed on the Netflix show that she was earning approximately as much as a substitute teacher or a full-time employee at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Megan McElaney, set to return in 2024, offered a peek into her daily routine as a triple-job holding NFL cheerleader, commencing at her 6:15 a.m. alarm.

Beyond my daily grind as a marketing/recruitment coordinator at Bluecrest Financial Alliances, according to LinkedIn, I’ve taken on the role of a makeup artist for The Styling Stewardess as well! And once the day’s work is done, you can find me heading to AT&T Stadium for my evening practice, which wraps up at 11 p.m. – an absolute dream come true for this dedicated fan!

According to Salter, speaking with TopMob News, “DCC has taught many of us the importance of managing our time effectively. 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 job, but personalized uniforms designed for every cheerleader’s figure have allowed us to transition beyond a time that was overly focused on body image.

In her conversation with TopMob News, the DCC director Kelli Finglass since 1991 emphasized that the focus is on ensuring the uniform looks sleek and well-fitted, rather than discussing weight. She clarified that all the dancers are responsible for their own diets and workout routines. The dance studio even shares a space with a gym, while nutritionists and mental health professionals are available for consultation whenever needed.

Women have the liberty to prioritize their individual routines, and we strive to offer resources and educate them about it. We prefer to keep matters at this level, and I believe our approach makes us stronger as a result.

On the DCC audition FAQ page, they suggest that you should appear balanced and proportionate while wearing dance attire. They do not set particular height or weight standards.

Although the DCC organization didn’t adopt its iconic uniforms until 1972, it remains surprisingly similar to how it started.

Finglass stated to the New York Times that everything surrounding the cheerleaders appears to have shifted. They’re adjusting to various aspects such as social media and exposure, but fundamentally, they remain exceptional dancers. A significant aspect of their work demands a selfless attitude, an attribute that has been consistent throughout our history.

Another resource at the ready: An etiquette coach.

According to Finglass, they frequently dine with senior military officers, placing them in environments they might not have encountered before at the age of 18 or 19, being from a small town.

Given how thrilled individuals are about encountering the DCC across the globe, she added, “It brings me joy to see them grasp all aspects of it, becoming polished, composed, and well-prepared. My goal is simply to equip them with as many tools as I can, so they can exude confidence.

Although they can request help when needed, these women are expected to handle their hair and makeup by themselves prior to games. (Notably, Sophy Laufer, who joined the team in 2022, has demonstrated her game-day beauty routine on TikTok.)

In terms of aesthetics, there are a few guidelines: Lipstick should never be red, and fingernails shouldn’t either. Furthermore, your hair should always be worn loose, and Dallas’ Tangerine Salon has been making ladies’ hair bouncy for quite some time now.

As a diehard enthusiast, I’d be thrilled to flaunt the smoothest, flawlessly shaped, and blemish-free legs one could ever imagine. Yet, even with such divine limbs, I’d still embrace the nude hosiery life if I were part of the DCC (Dancing with the Stars Cast).

Furthermore, should you possess a tattoo, that’s perfectly acceptable; however, during game-time, it must be fully concealed using makeup and bronzer.

As a devoted enthusiast of sun-kissed looks, I appreciate the allure of spray tans. However, according to DCC’s guidelines, they should be warm without any orange hues and the shade on your face and body should be consistent. Overly dark spray tans can make facial features less noticeable, giving a somewhat washed-out appearance.

Besides being integral parts of their community, it was pleasing for chief choreographer Judy Trammell to observe the DCC’s involvement mirrored in the production called “America’s Sweethearts”.

As a dedicated follower, I can’t help but express my disappointment that the 16-season long CMT reality show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, which concluded in 2022, didn’t delve into what we do during the rest of the year. In conversations with Entertainment Tonight, Trammell emphasized that our work, such as USO tours, visits to veterans hospitals, and interactions with children at hospitals, are aspects that have never been fully depicted on screen. We truly accomplish so much more than viewers have ever witnessed.

After you depart from the team, Finglass informed TopMob News about a vibrant and interactive alumni group known as The Spirit of DCC, which is ready for you to join.

When someone retires from cheerleading, it’s a significant shift, as going from spending every night with your teammates at rehearsals to not seeing them can feel quite abrupt, the DCC director stated. This is why we make an effort to offer alumni activities right away. It’s hard for everyone involved.

Mentioning that the women continue to celebrate significant events – including their children’s weddings, among others – long after they’ve left their cheering days behind, Finglass remarked, “I feel like I’m a teacher in school, and when my students graduate, there’s always excitement for the incoming freshmen. However, it’s natural to have feelings and relationships that won’t be as present or active on a daily basis.

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2025-06-20 17:17