And though the cheerleaders make it all look effortless when they’re dancing on the sidelines, the routine is grueling. This is something you’ll learn from watching America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a new docuseries on Netflix. It spotlights the women in uniform, along with the rigorous physical standards they’re required to meet and, as The New York Times writes, “the illogic and injustice lurking beneath the glossy surface.”
As much as learning how to perform “Thunderstruck” is a skill, so too is staying cool and looking great while performing for hours and practicing in the Texas heat. Although AT&T Stadium is air-conditioned, the cheerleaders often dance for about five hours on game days, and they practice and perform outdoors (the show depicts a sweaty session in 96 °F heat). And they need to be camera-ready for games and practices (this includes wearing their hair down and having a fully made-up face).
We talked with four Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders about their must-haves for staving off sweat—and looking good doing it.
