49 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMollie PerellaandNaomi de Souza,BBC Newsbeat
NetflixFive, six, seven, eight… America’s Sweethearts are back.
Season three of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) docuseries has dropped on Netflix and this time the stakes – and kicks – are higher than ever.
The programme has turned the squad, who drum up support for the American football team, into celebrities in their own right thanks to its mix of viral moments and drama.
BBC Newsbeat caught up with breakout stars Kleine Powell and Megan McElaney to find out what the increased attention has meant for them.
The latest America’s Sweethearts picks up with the cheerleading squad after previous seasons have aired and shows them dealing with their new-found fame.
“It has been actually really insane,” says Powell, when Newsbeat asks about the show’s viral success.
“I think it’s had a really positive impact on not only the dance and athlete world, but just on the world in general with how we kind of integrate our lives into this dance and cheerleading show,” she says.
Earlier seasons of the show concentrated on the tough selection process to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader – a job that attracts young women from across the USA.
Viewers often see squad director Kelli Finglass give frank, sometimes harsh feedback to veterans and new recruits.
But, according to the coach, it hasn’t deterred hopefuls from applying, and this year was the first year the team’s considered tryouts from people who have seen America’s Sweethearts.
It’s no secret that exposure on the show can benefit individuals, opening up potential for influencer contracts and brand deals.
But, Powell says, new cheerleaders need to be coming in for the right reasons.
“That means people who want to be a friend and team-mate first versus going in and doing all these selfish things,” she says.
“We want people who can be friends and a sister and someone you can call on a bad day to help lift your spirits.”
NetflixThe increased exposure also comes with downsides – such as increased scrutiny.
“Already being on the team, there is a little bit of an anxiety factor,” says McElaney.
“We’re all perfectionists and we want to put our best foot forward in every single performance.”
The show’s director has said fans now record the cheerleaders’ pre-match routines on their phones.
McElaney says “it can be difficult to not get in your head” when every performance is posted online.
Most cheerleaders are holding down full-time jobs alongside their Cowboys commitment – with training wrapping up sometimes as late as midnight.
Does it ever get too much?
“We’re really good about lifting each other up and checking in on our friends,” says McElaney.
“Kleine is really good about it.
“She’ll do little locker room laps and she’ll be like: ‘Hey, how are you doing?
“How are you doing today? Everything good?’
NetflixThe previous season of America’s Sweethearts chronicled the cheerleaders’ successful fight for better pay.
Many fans questioned why salaries were so low despite The Dallas Cowboys retaining their status as the world’s most valuable sports team.
Powell and McElaney say it was “exciting” to be part of that change and they will continue to fight “for the future of new DCCs”.
McElaney says it has been encouraging to see the squad can have an impact as a collective.
“We have a strong, united voice that was able to make change and move the needle,” she says.
The squad has also been building bridges between sports with appearances during World Cup games in Dallas.
Their energetic routines have been a hit with visiting fans, including Three Lions supporters in town for their opening game against Croatia.
“England is so rowdy,” jokes Powell.
“I love it so much, we need some of that energy for our pre-season games.”
There’s a good chance some of those who’d travelled to Texas recognised some of the smiling faces in the DCC squad.
But Powell and McElaney say they certainly don’t see themselves as famous.
“I don’t think we’ll ever feel like celebrities,” says Powell.
“It’s so kind when people view us as that.
“But I think for us, it’s just always been about dance and friendship and being on a team.”
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.
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