Making the Team: The Bar Has Been Raised …
Our audition process is designed to recruit and discover new talent, as well as prevent complacency among our Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders veterans. Our veterans are given a pass to finals, but they must compete to earn back their spot on the team every season. We have hundreds of good dancers and beautiful women show up for auditions every year, but we are only looking for the best. This year, it just so happened that the bar was raised even higher, and five of our veterans did not make our final cut.
As I prepared for our first meeting, I struggled with my frustration over the fact that some of our veterans did not make the squad and some had come perilously close to not making the final cut. In the eyes of the judges, those ladies were at the bottom of the list, when in fact they should have been at the top of the list. I was extremely disappointed that some of them did not perform well on the written test and several of them did not show up as "lean and mean" as they needed to be. Our organization does not accept "good enough" as good enough, and any girl who has held a place on our squad knows that. For a veteran not to be on top of her game is just not acceptable. My expectations of them are just short of perfection.
Judy and I have roughly 10 weeks to develop 36 young women into world class performers, and we just don't have time to sugar coat everything. We provide a lot of feedback night after night, and sometimes it appears that we don't care about their feelings, when the reality is that if we didn't care, we wouldn't put so much time and energy into being so direct with our comments. We want these girls to make it, but if they don't prepare, they are wasting our time and theirs. So, my job as I see it is to be uncomfortably honest, and most of the women who make it as far as training camp know that and hopefully appreciate and value the feedback.
As a DCC veteran, you can not afford to be complacent or cocky. This year, the 22 veterans who came back to auditions received a reality check when five of their close friends remained in their seats when the last name on the squad was called. After defending several of the veterans during the final judging process, I was not too happy to have to address weight issues or test scores at our first meeting. While I may have surprised and shocked them, I needed for them to enter their first rehearsal motivated to do better.
When Erica was called into my office that evening, she came across as defensive and argumentative. Since this seemed completely out of character for Erica, I was shocked by her reaction to what I felt was honest feedback. As a manager, I do realize that sometimes the very people who are trying their hardest are also expecting more out of themselves and often take feedback the hardest. This was indeed the case in Erica's situation, and she was devastated by my comments and the mixed reactions from our judges.
As Malcolm X said, "If you have no critics, you'll likely have no success." No one likes criticism, but anyone who is successful is subject to the opinions of others. A huge part of our process is based on opinions, feedback, and yes, criticism. That's what being a part of our organization is about and why "The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are often imitated, but never equaled."
Cheers,
Kelli
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
TxAgg says:
Once again, Go DCCs! I love how you spotlight the vigorous physical training designed by Jay. That just shows everyone that those bodies don’t come easy and every woman EARNS her spot on the squad. I hope Kathryn tries again next year because she did go far considering it was just her first time. And for the record, I’m a 36 year old mother of two whose body has seen its better days, but these girls inspire me to get back up off my duff! No jealousy here! Rock on girls!
KAREN K says:
I know its hard to be tough but I know from watching those girls they have to be able to perform for long hours and they have to be in top notch shape in order to do that! I too, was surprised at the girls that came back unready to pass they of all people should have known what was expected of them and should have been ready to set an example for the new girls trying out–so by telling them the straight out truth was what you should have done and you did it quite well in my opinion!! Hope you have better luck in the next week and get them in top shape and ready to go!!!
Kim says:
I would like to audition. Will you come to Las Vegas to meet me?
Kim says:
I’ve been living in Las Vegas for 41 years. I love horses, cowboys and great country music. I would really like a chance to audition for next years squad. I don’t have any pictures to send you right away but I know you’ll see… I have what it takes when you meet me!
Nikci says:
I think the show is sick. really sick, one girl can not make the team because she has a square shape and won’t look good in the uniform. What are you saying to the young girls in the world, if I am not perfect I need to be.
ROSEBUD says:
I love the show!!!!
Lynn says:
I love the show and I think being tough but fair is what makes the DCC consistently great. However, I do take issue with a girl not looking right in the uniform. I think being in the right range for body fat and weight should be sufficient and that further alterations should be experimented with instead of cutting a girl solely for that reason. Otherwise, I love the show and admire Kelly, Judy, Jay, the crew, and the DCC women for all of their hard work and perseverance. I wish my middle school students would watch this to see what hard work and personal responsibility are all about! Thank you.
Dee K says:
Hi Kelli,
I just want to say that I bought the NFL Making the Squad dvds and the fact that the Dolphins director referred to her time in the DCC and Judy was actually shown drives the point home that the DCC has set the bar for every other cheerleading squad in the nation. Often imitated but never equaled is so right on!
When you are young, criticism is not often not taken positively. After you spoke with Erica, I’m certain in the light of day, she took responsibiilty for what you told her and realized what you meant (she was harping on her solo when that was really a sidebar to a bigger point).
Thank you for being such a great leader. Even though the veterans were probably devastated when you had your talk with them, they needed to hear it and get it together for the sake of the squad.
Thank you. Keep up the good work.
Kerry says:
Hi Kelli,
I love watching the show and I think it tells people that if you want something bad enough you have to be willing to work hard for it!
Keep up the good work!
Shirley says:
Seriously, A few people have asked, and I’m so curious, what happened to Natalie Wood. She was such an inspirational individual, so professional and poised in the face of criticism. I really thought she was a class act and was pulling for her every step of the way. I’d love to know where she went and how her year on the squad was.
Debra says:
Hi,
I’ve been watching the show for awhile and I have a couple of questions/observations.
1. I’ve noticed that there is no cheerleader that has been on the squad for more than 5 years. Is there a time limit on how long they can be on the squad?
2. While I don’t always agree with what you and Judy say, or how its said, it seems to me that CMT does a lot of editing to make you both not look all that good to the viewers either. I think it would be nice to see an episode where that doesn’t happen.
Bama Lee says:
Hi, Kelli,
I really enjoy the show and have been following it since the end of season one. Hats off to you and Judy for the great, challenging job that you do. Also, I was so happy to see that Megan Fox had been added to the staff!!! She has always seemed so talented as well as being a lovely young woman of outstanding character. I wondered what had happened to her when I didn’t see her on previous shows this season. Like Shirley, I’ve wondered also about Natalie Woods. Was one season enough for her?
Thanks so much and keep up the great job!!!
Bama
Michelle says:
I love the show. I have always had a great respect for the DCC. The code of performance, as well as carriage off the field, soing the pesonal appearances, and the way they treat others, is top notch. I was happy that Cassie Trammel made the cut to keep trying to be on the sqad; I know that Judy was ecstatic. Just please DO try to keep certain things in perspective. Yes, making the team is wonderful, granted. It is good to remember, however, that the world won’t stop, if you know that you tried your best, but still didn’t make it. Life DOES go on.
I was sorry to not see Natalie Wood, I really liked her and was hoping to see her again. She was very classy. I was abolutely shoocked, when some of the Veterans on the squad, did not do well on their written test. HELLOOOO ! You have been on the squad already for at least a year, and don’t know the team’s history????? THAT is shameful, and very lazy. To know the team’s history after a year is an expected given. Ya’ll know Kelli and Judy’s expectations already, so I am not sure why they weren’t prepared.
As for when the finalists were announced on that last day of auditions, some of those veterans WERE cocky, one or two bordered on arrogance, and in my opinion, deserved NOT to make the cut, with that kind of attitude. You are only as good as that moment,and there is always someone better than ya’ll. Harder to stay at the top, than to get there initially. Megan, Brooke, great to see you on top of your games! Brooke last year was a rookie, and was not a quitter; I like her feisty spirit. Megan has this ” Bring it on!” - type carriage, very confident, without being a turn off. I think it’s cool to see Crystal and her sister both on the squad, makes it a more positive time for them both, knowing they have each other to lean on, I am sure.
Good luck, and God bless.
mary beth powers says:
My sister and I enjoy watching the show. We noticed that there are so many veterans that did not return from last season. What happened to Christina Murphy,Sarah Shelton,Melissa Rycroft,Candice Carr,and Natalie Woods? I think most of them were rookies last year.
DCC4ME says:
I respect Kelli’s management of the DCCs but, as someone who works in the healthcare industry treating people with eating disorders, Kelli can at times have unrealistic expectations with weight. I have been a fan of this show since it first aired, the weight issue is one of the biggest problems I have with Kelli. I understand the uniform is “unforgiving” but at the same time, the expectations are unreasonable and can lead many down the path to eating disorders. I have seen with the people I treat, the dancers in the ballet company and the males that needed to “make weight” for the football team.
jan says:
I WATCHED THIS WEEKEND AND THE WEIGHT THING HAS ME UPSET. I KNOW YOUNG GIRLS WATCH THIS SHOW AND YOU THINK YOU SHOULD LOOK LIKE THESE GIRLS.. SHE SAID ITS BEEN HER DREAM SINCE SHE WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND SHE WAS NOT FAT AT ALL.. I JUST FEEL NOW A DAYS EVERYBODY THINK YOU HAVE TO BE SKIN TO MAKE IT… IT JUST NOT A GOOD THING I TURNED IT OFF AND WILL NEVER WATCH IT AGAIN…..
Sue says:
Hi, I love watching the show. I even watch all the reruns. I was also wondering what happened to some of the veterans like, Christina Murphy I was ecstatic for her last year when she made the team, because of her hearing impairment. I think that shows other girls that no matter what is wrong with you if you try hard enough you can accomplish anything. I was also wondering what happened to Natalie Woods and Melissa Rycoff?
I would like to thank the DCC for letting CMT do the show.
I would like to see a DCC show that shows the DCC girls doing their routines at the actual games and follow the girls around to show all the other events they do and appearances they make.
MN Mom says:
Kelli,
I really enjoy the show and appreciate what a difficult position you and Judy have. I admire the professionalism and the straight forward comments. I also love that one of the underlying messages is that nothing comes easy. You want it, you need to work for it. This is something that todays youth need to learn.
Keep up the great work!
Jill Carrington says:
I wish you would have at least one girl that was in her 30’s like DCC did in the past. Also, why don’t you have any girls that are mother’s now? Were there no mother’s at try outs? There are plenty of girls that have had children that could still look good in the tiny DCC uniform.
Holley says:
The more and more I watch the show the more resentful I become. What kind of body image is being portrayed to young women. It’s like saying because you a little bigger than some that you not pretty enough your not good enough because your not a size 0. That is one reason why anorexia and bulimia rates are so high amoung high school girls and young women. If you really supported women you would except these women regardless of how big their butt maybe. If they got the skills I want to see them perform. I hate watching stick then girls shake it like they got something to shake.
jennfer says:
Did Natalie Woods come back this season.
Melanie says:
Just Google Natalie Woods and you will find your answer. She was great to watch. I’m finding this season’s group of girls not that exciting to watch. Hoping that it gets better.
Janet says:
I have been watching the show since Season 1 and just love it. I watch online because I don’t have television.
I am very impressed with all the ladies. It is an inspiration to all, proving that hard, hard work, dedication, maturity, and good character will help you achieve your goal.
Not everyone can make the team. Being a DCC is a job with very specific requirements. That’s what makes them so special!
Michele says:
What happened to Natalie wood??
Monica says:
Raising the bar?! Kelli, who are you kidding? Wow, you have got to be joking.
You let Cassie in on a freebie, girl! She may be thin, but that is all she has going for her. Cassie is NOT pretty like her mother. You lost a lot of credibility by just letting Cassie in on a your mom is my choreographer passcard.
As for the other girls you are asking for bulimia problems. Kelli you are a contradiction if I’ve ever seen one.
michele says:
as far as judy. she seems like she has it together. she is the boss, but doesn’t have to be ugly to be the boss! thank God for her!…as far as her daughter, ugh, talk about nepotism! whew, many were better in every way, yet they were bumped for her kid. i guess i would want that for my daughter too…oh well!
michele says:
too funny…kelli deletes posts that are not flattering to her! hmmm, she talks about the girls needing to learn to accept criticism…yet SHE CANNOT! too funny. and quite what i would expect from her!
alan says:
i really liked how kelli wrote this article about the dcc veterans and i see how she and judy dont want any of the veterans to leave the squad but a veteran chherleader should now better to tone down her weight and always be ontop of her game.
alan says:
i was also very surprised how some veterans failed the test and how one veteran cheerleader got called in kelli’s office and how she said that veterans were eligable for being cut.
Digusted says:
I just watched the DCC episode from Saturday, November 28. Shame on you for letting the girl go that you said was “soft” in the middle. You are not setting a very good example with the younger girls. This girl was by no means “soft”. They always say the camera adds 10 pounds but she looked wonderful. The african american girl who you called into the office to talk to her about her kicks has several little rolls on her stomach when she sits. Why would you not call her on that? This is how dieting incorrectly and eating disorders begin with comments like yours. I suggested you and Judy getting glasses or your prescriptions updated.