For over 50 years, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have captivated audiences worldwide with their stunning beauty, infectious charisma, and undeniable athleticism. More than just a dance team, they are a cultural touchstone and an innovative institution in sports entertainment, representing one of the most iconic teams and brands in professional sports. 

On June 18, Netflix will debut the second season of “America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” Directed by Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley and the team behind Cheer and Last Chance U, the acclaimed docuseries follows the cheerleaders from the audition process through training camp and the NFL season.

Ahead of the season two premiere, BET.com caught up with current Cowboys cheerleaders Jada McLean and Armani Latimer to discuss their Cowboys fandom, thriving as Black women, and how they hope to inspire the next generation of cheerleaders.

Both McLeann and Latimer are living their dreams as Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, but the paths to the hallowed ground of the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, were not the same. Mclean grew up in a household where her father was a big Cowboys fan and developed her love for the Cowboys cheerleaders as a child.

“I remember watching the games with my dad, and he was a big Cowboys fan. Then I became a fan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. But I have two older brothers who are Philadelphia Eagles fans, so it was very serious in my household,” Mclean laughed. “I always thought that cheering for the Cowboys was a dream that I could never achieve. During COVID, their auditions were held online. I couldn't afford to fly out to Dallas, so when I found out I could try out from California, I sent in my video. Next thing I know, I was wearing that uniform.”

For Laitmer, she did not grow up in a household that loved the Cowboys. Her father is a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan. Undeterred, she was an avid watcher of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT, and she dreamt of wearing the stars and blue and white.

“I actually saw the cheerleaders' CMT show when I was younger, but my dad is not a Cowboys fan. Unfortunately, he's a Chiefs fan, so he's excited about the Thanksgiving Day game. When I saw the show, I knew at that moment that I wanted to try out for the team. I think the dream kind of fizzled out when I was in college,” Latimer said. 

“I didn't think that it would be something that was in the path for me, and then we went through COVID, and one of my friends on my dance team in college told me they were having virtual auditions this year. I sent in my application, not thinking anything would happen,” Latimer continued. “Five years later, we’re still here.”

McLean and Latimer are no strangers to being in front of the camera on the field and as part of the docuseries. But America's Sweethearts delves deeper into personal narratives, offering an intimate portrayal of how they meet the high demands and standards of their vocation. The cheerleaders are not only athletes in their own right, but they’re integral components of one of the NFL’s blue-chip teams.

“It’s kind of unreal sometimes. Jada and I were both part of the CMT seasons, so we were used to the cameras being around, but that mainly focused on training camp and making the team, "Latimer explained. “This is a different side of being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. We share our stories and what we go through on a day-to-day basis. It's a fuller picture, rather than just a snapshot of what DCC is.”

It’s not lost on Mclean and Latimer that they bring an entirely different element to the squad as Black women. On the field, they are committed to bringing Black excellence and hope to inspire the next generation of cheerleaders who see them perform. Both Mclean and Latimer also shared how their hair stories helped them embrace their identity.

“As Black women who cheer for the Dallas Cowboys, it's something that we're both proud of. I think actually both of our journeys also revolve around our hair,” Mclean said. “When I first tried out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, I straightened my hair because that's what everyone else did. I didn't think that I would make this team with my natural curls. “

"When I ran into Kelly Finglass, the director of the squad in a parking lot during my rookie year training camp, he saw my natural curls and said, ‘I want you to look like that.’ That was a pivotal moment in my journey because I came into this organization trying to fit a mold, and they allowed me to create my own story and my look,” Mclean continued. 

“Over the last five years, so many people have reached out to me to thank me for wearing a natural look.’ As Black girls, a lot of us are just trying to look like everyone else,” Mclean added. “Then I discovered that there's so much beauty in who I naturally am, and I've been able to inspire so many little girls to embrace their natural curls as well. It’s something that touched me and made me proud of who I am.”

For Latimer, she candidly shared that she has Alopecia, an autoimmune disease which causes hair loss, and navigating her hair journey as a cheerleader led her to redefine her idea of Black beauty in the world of sports.

“A lot of what we go through as Black women happens with our hair. I wanted to come in with my natural hair, and I tried my hardest to make the team with my natural hair, but it was just something that my body didn't agree with because of the condition that I have,” Latimer shared. “So I kind of had to flip the script and change the way I was going to spend my years on DCC, while going through my alopecia journey of slowly losing my hair throughout the process.”

“I had to figure out what the new beauty standard was for me. Even though I didn't naturally have the full head of hair that all of my teammates naturally have and I struggled with listening to conversations about hair in the locker room and not having my own,” Latimer added. “I think we both have had to redefine what beauty is and what the beauty standard is for not only women, but for Black women.”

As established team members, Mclean and Latimer expressed their excitement about the premiere of the show and the Cowboys' upcoming season. The season will reveal their athleticism as professional cheerleaders and their dedication to carrying on the legacy of the DCC.

“Knowing that people are seeing this all over the entire world, in 190 countries, I’m like ‘Wow, am I really that interesting that people across the world would want to follow my journey?’  “But truly, that's what's so special about being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader,” Mclean said. “People from all over the place want to know more about us.”