Amanda Howard Reflects on Her Journey with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Amanda Howard took to Instagram to reflect on her journey with the team, following her unexpected departure from the reality series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. “My journey unfolded exactly how it was meant to—and I think that’s the coolest part about DCC: no two panthers are the same,” she shared, accompanied by a video montage of her time on the squad.

Howard's path began in 2021 when she auditioned, “just shooting my shot.” She made it to Training Camp, a milestone she hadn’t anticipated. After being cut, she realized this was more than a dream; it was an achievable goal. “From that moment on, I went all in,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to training and mastering the DCC style.

In 2022, she returned with renewed confidence, trusting in what she described as God’s plan. “Joseph prayed over me every single day of Training Camp,” she recalled, recounting the moment she called him to share her success in making the team. His immediate reaction was to drive to The Star for a celebratory hug.

Her first year proved challenging. Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell opted for 37 girls instead of the usual 36, placing Howard in a rotating rookie role. “Every game, I filled a different spot with a different group,” she explained. Despite the difficulties, she was honored by the trust placed in her and ultimately earned the title of Rookie of the Year. “It was the most stressful year of my career, but it made me stronger than I ever thought I could be,” she added.

Howard described her second year as one of “stability and joy.” She found her own spot on the team and embraced every moment. “I grew closer to the girls, felt more confident in the style,” she noted. Year three became a time of intention for her, where she focused on self-acceptance and joy in her performances.

“I leave this team honored to have been a part of it—and forever grateful to always be a part of it,” Howard concluded her heartfelt post. Her experiences during these years were captured in Netflix’s docuseries, which showcased not only her personal growth but also the collective struggles of the cheerleaders.

In season two, Howard and her teammates advocated for higher pay, addressing long-standing issues regarding compensation within the organization. Despite her accolades and recognition during tryouts, she found herself overlooked for high-profile appearances during the 2024-2025 NFL season. This led her to question Finglass about whether her advocacy for better pay influenced these decisions. Finglass assured her that it did not.

Ultimately, Howard surprised many by choosing not to return for a fourth season. Veteran cheerleader Jada Mclean discussed the squad's efforts for pay increases in an exclusive interview, acknowledging the difficulty of initiating such conversations. “It’s a tough topic to start to have conversations about,” Mclean stated, highlighting their commitment to effecting change.

By the end of season two, the cheerleaders successfully secured a 400 percent increase in pay, alleviating some financial burdens they faced. Mclean expressed optimism about the future for those remaining on the team: “I think they’re in a good position moving forward.” Seasons one and two of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are currently available for streaming on Netflix.