During Jimmy Fallon’s audience-suggestion segment, a fan proposed combining AC/DC’s tour hype with the Netflix show’s release. Six dancers emerged through smoke, performing high-energy choreography to “Thunderstruck” with pom-poms, captivating the Rockefeller Center crowd.
The routine mirrored their famed NFL pregame show but omitted the risky jump split due to the concrete stage. Director Kelli Finglass highlighted their artistry, calling them “beautiful, brilliant dancers” during her interview segment.
This appearance capped a media blitz that included a Today show performance days earlier. Both events promoted America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2, reinforcing their status as pop-cultural icons beyond football.
Documentary’s Role in Change
The Netflix series revealed harsh realities: cheerleaders earned $15/hour for rehearsals and $500/game despite the Cowboys’ $10 billion valuation. Many worked second jobs, with one alum comparing pay to “a Chick-fil-A worker”.
Veterans Jada McLean, Megan McElaney, and Armani Latimer led pay talks amid internal friction. Some members feared backlash, and choreographer Judy Trammell dismissed concerns by stressing the “privilege” of joining the squad. Their persistence secured the raise, though it cost some members their positions.
Earnings Transformation
The 400% increase boosts game pay to $2,000 per appearance (from $500) and hourly wages to $60-75 for veterans. This could total $150,000/year with appearances, though healthcare remains excluded.
The raise follows years of advocacy, including a 2018 lawsuit that exposed pay gaps (e.g., the male mascot earned triple their wages). While retirees like Latimer won’t benefit, they celebrate empowering future squads: “I made change for the girls coming up behind me”
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