With the debut of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders‘ second season on Netflix, director Kelli Finglass has emerged as one of the toughest, but most supportive, coaches on reality television. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was originally titled Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team when it aired for 16 seasons on CMT. The show was rebranded as America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders when it made the leap to Netflix in 2024. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 1 aired in 2024, while America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2 premiered in June 2025.
The show follows the audition process for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the famed cheerleading squad that many young women dream of being a part of. It’s a grueling process to audition for the team, let alone actually being part of the team during the season, and Kelli’s role is to act as a coach, judge, and mentor to the young hopefuls. Kelli knows what she’s talking about, as she was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader from 1984 to 1989.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Kelli Finglass’ Dance Career
Kelli Began Dancing As A Child
Kelli’s love for dance started in childhood and carried her through to college. According to a story in the University of North Texas’ UNT North Texan, Kelli heard about an audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders while listening to a radio commercial in spring 1984, and she “decided to try out for the experience.”
“I studied dance, rushed a sorority and spent my freshman year going to every dance audition I could because all experience was good experience.”
Kelli made the team, of course, and thus began her dance career and affiliation with the Dallas Cowboys. She was named director of the squad at just 27 years old. Her impact on the team is immeasurable. She really helped to raise the brand profile of the cheerleading squad.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Kelli Finglass’ Job
Kelli Is The Director Of The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, And An Executive Producer
Kelli‘s job as the director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is more than a profession, it’s her passion. She’s always been involved in dance, and she’s been involved with the Dallas Cowboys since she herself was a cheerleader in the 80s. Kelli’s leadership has seen the cheerleading squad evolve from a subset of the team into its own brand. Kelli was instrumental in creating Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-hosted competitions and keeping the brand alive.
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Kelli was an executive producer on the original Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders reality show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, when it aired on CMT. In 2000, Kelli also made a cameo in the movie Dr. T And The Women, playing herself in a scene with Kate Hudson. Clearly, Kelli’s been synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, enough to warrant a movie cameo before she was even on reality TV.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Kelli Finglass’ Age
Kelli Is 60 Years Old
At 60 years old, Kelli has spent most of her life working for (or affiliated with) the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization. As a young woman from Lindale, Texas, Kelli began dancing at a young age. She studied dance at Texas Christian University, and after graduating, she became a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the 80s. The New York Post reported that Kelli was the first cheerleader in the history of the league who didn’t have to re-audition when she came back for a fifth season, which is a big deal in the cheerleading world.
After her stint as a cheerleader ended, Kelli remained with the team, serving in various sales roles until she was named director of the cheerleading squad in 1991. In 1996, Kelli married Joel Finglass, and they have two children: son Ryan and daughter Samantha. In 2024, Samantha married John McKean, and mom Kelli referred to John as her daughter’s best friend in an Instagram post commemorating the wedding.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Kelli Finglass’ Instagram
Kelli’s Handle Is @kellifinglass
Kelli‘s Instagram account is plastered with photos from her illustrious career, as well as family photos. She recently posted that country singer Kacey Musgraves served as a guest judge for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions, showcasing another way Kelli works to keep the brand relevant.
Kacey’s star power got more eyes on the audition and built interest in its results.
Kelli has 222k followers on Instagram, and 12.9k followers on TikTok, where she can be found under the handle @real_kelli_finglass. In her Instagram bio, Kelli has links to her Amazon storefront and her Cameo page, where fans can buy personalized video messages from Kelli. Kelli also does brand collaborations on her Instagram page, making her an influencer as well.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
Sources: UNT North Texan, Kelli Finglass/Instagram, The New York Post, Kelli Finglass/Instagram, Kelli Finglass/Instagram
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