Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on fame, pressure and World Cup fever

Season three of the Netflix docuseries "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" has moved the squad from their role in supporting an NFL franchise to pop‑culture icons.

Interviews with breakout stars Kleine Powell and Megan McElaney reveal how the show’s viral success has brought greater visibility but also heightened scrutiny.

The increased attention has opened new avenues for sponsorships while demanding a balance between rigorous training, full‑time jobs and personal wellbeing.

The squad’s participation in World Cup games in Dallas showcases their expanding influence beyond football, drawing in fans from international competitions.

Despite the celebrity buzz, Powell and McElaney emphasize that dance, friendship and teamwork remain at the heart of their identity.

"It has been actually really insane," Powell says of the show's viral success, adding that the spotlight has illuminated opportunities in both the dance and athlete worlds alike. McElaney notes the anxiety that comes with performing in front of a global audience, while the squad’s director acknowledges the rise of fan‑recorded pre‑match routines.

Both stars highlight the camaraderie that keeps them grounded, with Powell calling the squad a “sisterhood” that offers support during odd hours of late‑night trainings.

The previous season chronicled the squad’s fight for better pay, a path the current season continues to support with a united voice that “made change and moved the needle.”

Their energetic routines have become a hit at World Cup matches in Dallas, where the energy of visiting England fans has been compared to the squad’s own high‑spirit performances.

Although media attention is growing, Powell says the cheerleaders still see themselves as dancers and friends, not celebrities, preferring focus on dance, friendship and the team spirit that defines their identity.