03x03 - Firecracker

[bunniefuu]

- [Savanna] Mom, our breakfast is here.
- [Summer] Oh, perfect!

- [Watson] What is that?
- I DoorDash way too much. [laughing]

She actually cooks.
I don't cook.

[laughs] So this is what I do.
We DoorDash.

We DoorDash.

- [Summer] And this is our favorite.
- [Watson] I'll take that.

[Savanna] What is this one?
That's the good one.

[producer] What do you think, Watson,

of your sister and her aspirations
to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader?

I think it's, like,
really cool that she wants to do that,

because it's just dope.

[Savanna] Do you miss me?

Like, well, what do you mean?
Like, I'm happy…

- [Savanna laughs]
- [Dusty] Like, in which way?

I'm happy you're, like,
out there doing it, but yeah I miss you.

But I--

You're having fun, so…

With Savanna,
it's like all or nothing, you know?

[Summer] Yeah, if she's gonna do it,
she's gonna do it all the way.

- [Savanna] I'm gonna do it 1,000%.
- 1,000%, yeah.

Most people aren't willing
to put themselves out there like that,

to be tested like that, 'cause it's hard.

[laughs] What's your backup plan?

No backup plan, Watson.

I'm gonna try.
Then if it doesn't work, then I'll pivot.

And then I'll try again the next year
and the next year.

[Savanna laughing]

[Summer] Savanna knows what she wants.
She goes for it.

And she's always been so extra
and over the top, always.

[Savanna] I was so lucky.
I was given the best childhood.

And my parents
were so supportive, so kind.

I always felt safe and so loved.

I couldn't have asked for anything more.

All my trophies from dance competitions.

And in fifth grade,
I won the science fair.

So that's like
always gonna be right here.

[laughing] My science fair winning.

[Summer] She started walking
when she was eight months old

and has not slowed down since.

[indistinct chatter on video]

["Daydream Believer"
by the Monkees playing]

♪ Cheer up, Sleepy Jean ♪

♪ Oh, what can it mean ♪

♪ To a daydream believer ♪

♪ And a homecoming queen… ♪

Growing up, I knew I loved dancing.
I knew I loved performing.

But I remember one
of the very first days of COVID.

We turned on the TV.
CMT came on, and I was like,

"I want to do DCC."

And from there,
I will take every class I can

and train as best as I can
to hopefully make this dream come true.

Savanna is independent, determined,
and if she has a goal in mind,

she will do anything
and everything to achieve it.

[Savanna] I know this is hard,
this is sh**ting for the stars,

and might not ever happen, but I'm gonna
do everything I can and give it my all.

And I think once I hit training camp,
I was like, "Oh, I actually can do this."

- [uplifting song continues]
- ♪ Daydream believer ♪

♪ And a homecoming queen ♪

♪ Cheer up, Sleepy Jean… ♪

The very first night,
Kelli called me a firecracker.

I wrote that down
and I'm never gonna forget.

No matter what,
I'm never gonna forget that.

♪ Daydream believer
And a homecoming queen… ♪

[Savanna] Every night,
I call my mom, and I'm like,

"I found out I made it to training camp.
This is the best moment ever."

[all exclaiming on video]

[Savanna] Then you wake up,
go into the first meeting.

You're like, "It was so fun!"
And I got to meet everybody.

This is the best moment ever.

We tried on our boots.

And you're like…
[gasps] "This is the best moment ever."

♪ Daydream believer
And a homecoming queen… ♪

[Savanna] I feel honored to be here.

But I also dedicated a lot of time
and a lot of work.

This is my whole life.

♪ Oh, what can it mean ♪

♪ To a daydream believer ♪

- ♪ And a homecoming queen? ♪
- [song fading]

Savanna will outwork anybody.

It's not like she's always been the best
and the whatever.

- But she never gives up.
- [Dusty] Mmm-hmm.

You know, I've just learned
not to doubt her.

Watson, do you think she'll make it?

I hope so. I think she can.
I think she definitely could.

But I don't really know.

[Dusty] What's good advice?

[Watson] Just stay positive and just
keep working while others aren't working.

Yeah.

[Summer] That's good advice.

I care so much. Like…

[voice breaking] Oh, I would…
literally do anything

to work as hard as I could
to make that team.

[Summer] I don't think there's any safety.

I don't think you could
ever feel 100% confident.

Knowing that makes me more nervous.

It's so much anxiety. [sighs]

Oh my gosh.

[Savanna] I'm right where I have
always dreamed of being.

And so I am just
gonna give it everything I can.

- [introspective music playing]
- [chatter on video]

[teacher on video] Down, up! Down, up!

[Faith] So seven, eight.

And then we go chest, down, up.

Both legs jump together.
Drive the car. Vroom. Vroom.

Pop it. Lock it.

Hit the hips. Face the side.

This is little.

Big.

- Jump it. This is apparently this as well.
- [Emily A] Okay.

Yeah, I wasn't doing that either.
I was giving you cross.

Cross, slam it, swap it.

- Hit again.
- [Emily A blows raspberry] Yeah.

You stop thinking for one second,
it's gone.

And it's out the window.
It's back in Australia.

[both laughing]

[Faith] Last night, I was like,
"What even is this song?"

- I couldn't think of the song!
- That night was a blur.

[laughs] I'm kind of glad it was a blur.

- I had a little meltdown. But here we are.
- Did you, babe? What happened?

- I called my mom--
- I told you not to meltdown!

- I know!
- Girl.

I don't know! I just…

- I felt embarrassed from the day.
- No.

How long did the menty B go for?

Don't look at me like that.
[laughing] I got the side eye.

[Emily A] Uh…

I'm not gonna lie.

I have never felt more out of my body
than I did in that room.

I felt like my brain
was like working against me.

That's like the only
way I can describe it.

[leader calling out]

[Emily A] What are you even doing?
Like, you are making a fool of yourself.

You're looking at yourself in the mirror,
and you're not dancing,

and everyone else is dancing.

I was like, "I gotta get out of here."
I can't have this happen right now.

It would be better to not be in the room.

[Faith] Come up. We go…

[Faith] It's such a mindset thing.

Like, the second
you start getting comfortable with it,

it's like, "Oh, I kinda feel good.
Oh wait, what's the next step?"

I just stood there.
I felt helpless, honestly.

Really helpless.

It wasn't my best.

And if they got to see my best,
then they would see that potential.

But I went out there
and completely bombed it.

I'm so much better than that.
Like, let me show you.

- Makes you determined for sure.
- Please! My brain wasn't on. I don't know.

[Faith] But I'm also glad.
I think we needed that to happen

to realize that this is so different
and we need to up our game

to stay in this position, for sure.

- Okay, so--
- What are we doing? Low-key, the top?

- Um--
- I gotta stop saying "low-key."

We walk. One, hips. One, two, stop.
We crump it. Boom, boom, boom.

In the shower.
Pump it back. Around the world. Stop.

- Three V's. One, two.
- V and V.

- [Faith] Hip pop.
- Argh!

[Faith] Once we get this feeling good,
we'll eat lunch.

[Emily A] Yes. I need to eat. I haven't…

- Yeah, I just had a little brekkie.
- Brain food!

We need some proper food.
Chill for a bit. Reset.

[laughing] And then practice again!

- 'Cause it's just gonna be nonstop.
- [squeals]

Okay.

[loud chatter]

[woman 1] Girl, how you doing?

[woman 2] We're going.
Just gonna go for it, you know?

[woman 1] I always do my best the next day
or the day before.

- [woman 2] Yeah.
- Exactly.

Keep that same energy.

And then mix it with the--

Exactly! And then the dichotomy
between this and then…

Now I'm, like, curved and cute.

Yes!

- [chatter continues]
- [Judy] Y'all, quiet! We…

We don't have time
for a lot of chatter tonight.

- [woman] Chatterless evening. Come on.
- [Kelli] Yeah, no fun, no chatter.

- [Judy] Sorry.
- [all] Yes, ma'am.

Did you guys all meet
Miss Jennifer Amburn, choreographer…

[all clapping and cheering]

[Kelli] …extraordinaire,
is gonna teach tonight.

And, rookies, one more reminder.

We're not making cuts tonight.

So I want y'all
to take that out of your heads.

Enjoy the learn.

We're looking for your potential.

And, veterans, we want tonight
to be better than the last night. Yep.

[all] Yes, ma'am.

[Jennifer] So if you're a fifth year,
come on down.

[all clapping and cheering]

We're gonna start at one tempo.

If I feel like we can pump it up,
we'll try it, but I think it'll go well.

So this goes seven, clap, front, eight.

Everybody else goes one, two.
You push three.

You pull together, four.

You jump and burst all the same way, five.

Break it and don't roll it.
Six, you drop your head.

You keep your head, seven.

And now chin drops, eight.

You pull up and… pull.

- Try it one more time.
- Yes.

Five, six, seven…

Bri, Brenley, and Parker
look like veterans already.

I honestly think that girls that have had
a more collegiate background

excel more with our team.

They just adapt easier to pom,

to quick choreography, teamwork.

Where a lot of people
who are on college dance teams thrive

is you are kinda
having to learn on the spot,

and you're needing to look good
and perform good, like, instantly.

[Jennifer] One, three!

Five, six, seven, eight! Out!

Reach, flick, up…

[Faith] In a normal dancing environment,
in a dance class,

if you were to give me
like a lyrical or a jazz combo,

like a normal, technical one,
I could watch it and pick it up.

But this is a new genre, new style.

To me, the DCC style is so different
to anything I've ever done.

So I feel like that's probably
why I'm struggling to pick it up more.

- Faith, I feel-- It's Faith, right?
- Yes.

Okay, you dance chin square a lot.

- Yeah. Up.
- And I know you're super technical.

- Don't even just think "up."
- Yup.

You're dancing so tight
that you have no shoulder isolation.

Yeah, that makes so much sense.

Really open and then finish
through your legs.

'Cause you're just grounded.
You're missing a lot of the finish.

- Thank you so much. Yeah.
- I will be…

I'm used to dancing to a theater stage.
I'm used to dancing in competitions.

You know, dancing with my chin down
and not being able to look up.

When you're on the field,
it's way far back,

and you're projecting to a stadium.

[upbeat music playing]

But I'm kind of used to…

[mimics whoosh] …right there in your face,
direct eye contact, and this is different.

With professional dancers,
you're gonna get that individuality,

creativity, just very artistic,

amazing, unique dancers.

[upbeat music continues]

[Megan] I'd say the collegiate dancers,
they're probably more type A.

They've been through the trenches.
They've been through the most high-stake,

anxiety-ridden environments,

where you only have

one chance to prove
why you should be a national champion.

- [crowd cheering]
- [upbeat music playing]

I was on the Texas Tech pom squad
for four years.

You know, being on pom really
made me confident that I could do DCC.

I went to the University of Texas
at Austin. Hook 'em, Horns.

I was co-captain for Texas pom.

I wanted to be a part of something
that felt that big and important again.

[Savanna] On TCU Showgirls, I learned
a lot about using my levels, dynamics,

pom placement, like, country style.

On college dance teams,
we work out two times a week.

We're heavy weight training,

and it adds so much power
to your dancing. It really does.

[woman in gym] Yeah!

People coming in
with that collegiate background,

they are gonna be really strong…

[Jennifer] And one,
two, three, four, five…

[Megan] …really sharp.

But the hard part
about coming from college

is learning to be graceful and placed.

Make sure your footwork's intentional.
You have some kind of bouncing through.

Almost like collegiate pom.

And it needs that jazzy stick,
isolated ballroom.

You do a lot of big ribbon chest.
You need more hip.

[Megan] At the end of the day,

the only person
that's gonna save you is you.

They gotta show the heart more than ever.

Showing that you are humble,

committed and really wanting this
is gonna separate you from others.

- [music fades]
- [Kelli] All right.

- We ready to play "yes, no, maybe"?
- [Haley] Yes.

Okay, date your sheets,
if you will, please.

- Today is June, what? 20th?
- [Judy] Twentieth?

[Jennifer] Y'all leave
for New York Sunday?

- [Kelli] We leave for New York Sunday.
- Fun.

- Were you able to watch? Okay.
- [Haley] Yes.

- Y'all ready?
- Mmm-hmm.

Okay, yes, no, maybe on…

keep 'em… keep 'em in camp.

- Okay. Friendly Brenley.
- [Judy] I like her.

- [Jennifer] I do too.
- I think she's super strong.

- She's just powerful.
- [Jennifer] And very powerful footing.

[Kelli] Cooper, one of our comeback girls.

I say yes for continuing training camp.

She's definitely better
than she was last year.

I guess I'm nervous about it 'cause
we've released her once in training camp.

Emily R.

[Jennifer] Okay, for kick,
she's a no for me.

She does read as diminutive though.

- 'Cause she pulls everything in tight.
- [Kelli] Faith.

I was a no. I was watching,
and I was like, "It's very awkward."

- [Kelli] It is awkward.
- [Jennifer] She's missing a lot of curve.

[Kelli] There's nothing
up in the upper carriage.

[Jennifer] And I think,
even how she responds, I think--

"Yes, ma'am! Yes, ma'am! Yes, ma'am!"

[Jennifer] I don't think
it's fully processing.

[Judy] No, she won't listen to the
correction before saying, "Yes, ma'am."

- [Kelli] 'Cause she's nervous, probably.
- Yes.

She's trying very hard.

She's trying hard,
and I think if she works with a…

a good vet, she could get there.

[Kelli] I'll give her a maybe on attitude,
but she's starting to lose me.

Jenna.

- [Jennifer] I had a yes for Jenna.
- [Kelli] I do too. Stronger, you're right.

Okay, Parker.

- She's clean and fun.
- [Jennifer] Parker's a yes for me.

- [Judy] Yes.
- [Kelli] Okay, Emily A.

She was one of my least favorites.

[Judy] I have to say no for tonight,
and I don't want to.

I never thought
that'd come out of my mouth.

She's got a lot of style.
Cruise-line dancer.

There's no question
she's a strong technical dancer.

She'd be a project,
but maybe you want that.

- 'Cause cool look, you know.
- [Kelli] Savanna.

- [Jennifer] A maybe for me tonight.
- [Judy] She was a maybe for me.

- [Kelli] She's a yes for me. I watch her.
- [Jennifer] Okay.

[Kelli] I do wish she was a taller frame.

[Jennifer] I don't think
she uses her height.

[Kelli] I don't know about that.
I don't know how tall she is.

- I think Anna Kate's taller than…
- Okay.

- [Kelli] What'd you give her?
- [Haley] A maybe.

- [sighs]
- [Jennifer] I gave her a no.

[whispers] Gave her a no tonight.

I hate that we have
specific height talks about anyone,

because we've never had
a height requirement.

We've never…

stated that, you know, you need
to be 5'5" or more to make the team.

But you really have to be a standout
if you're a smaller person.

[Jenna] In the stadium,
there's 80,000 seats, a huge bowl.

[crowd cheering in background]

[Jenna] From the top, you look tiny.

And if you are small
and taking up only a little bit of space,

you look even smaller.

It's said in dance a lot, "Take up space."

It's like fill the space around you
as opposed to just staying in this box.

[Kelli] Dancing big,
you know, wide stances,

long extension.

You gotta dance on your tiptoes
and reach for the stars.

You gotta be big.

You gotta dance
like you're throwing a Hail Mary.

This year, I think we are 5'3" to 5'11".

[Judy] Some girls can keep up,
and then there's some that can't.

Kleine is a great example
of a shorter girl that dances huge.

You would think she's 5'11"
the way she dances.

And you wouldn't even kind of label her
as a short girl

because she just commands the field.

[Kleine] It's a lot easier
for taller gals to dance bigger

or to dance the NFL style
and be easily readable on a field.

You are at a slight disadvantage
if you are short like me.

Shorter girls kind of
have to be the entire package.

You also have to be a powerhouse,

maintain energy
throughout the entire dance,

because you're gonna have to be
the most energetic one out there

to kinda keep up.

[Jenna] Oh my gosh!
He's getting in the basket!

- [cat meows]
- [Jenna laughing] He's such a star!

- [Annie] How is training camp going?
- Um, let's see.

There's always that, like, anxious worry,

which my therapist says is good,

because you should be concerned
about making the team.

- [McKenna] Of course!
- Yeah, it's a goal you wanna accomplish.

Yeah, and that's better than
like overwhelming fear and, like, doom.

Last year, it was like,
"My life's gonna end at any second."

If you weren't a little bit nervous,
it would be, like, weird. Bad.

[Jenna] Right! Okay! I think so too.

I've been so grateful
that I didn't make the team last year

because of where I was
and my health with my body.

And you guys saw all that
and how hard that was.

- Yeah.
- It's scary.

[Jenna] Yeah. I feel like it's been
a long year to get here.

When I was cut, I went through
definitely, like, probably the lowest low

of my life, and I gained a lot of weight.

Well, I think it was actually
that I just started eating normally again.

[pensive music playing]

[Jenna] Last year, people would say,
"How are you not eating?"

I'm like, "I'm just not hungry"
or "I need to be skinny for practice."

I mean, I would say things like that.
As dancers, we're always in the mirror.

And it's hard to have a huge lunch

and then wear that tiny little outfit
and be like, "Yeah, that's fine."

[pensive music continues]

When a little extra bone would show,

I was like, "That looks crazy!
Let me go more!"

The comments people would say,

it always starts with everybody
telling you, "You look so good."

And then that is such an addictive cycle.

You don't realize you're in it
until you're too far.

Now, it's just
kind of crazy to look back at.

Like, if I had made the team last year
at the weight that I was at,

the size I was at,

I would have had to maintain that
for my entire tenure on the team.

[crying softly] I think about
how I wasn't feeling myself

to be able to be powerful on the field

and like take up space
and be an adult woman.

And I remind myself all the time
how grateful I am, like,

that I had this year to heal my body

and get to a place
where I feel good in the mirror,

and I feel good about myself.

[Annie] Jenna…

[Jenna] I'm so glad…

so glad I was cut last year
for this specific reason.

[indistinct chatter]

- [Kleine] This looks good. Yum.
- [Jenna] It does look good.

I might have to put my hair up for this.

- I know, same.
- [Kleine gasps] They double shrimped us!

- [Kleine] Do you like shrimp? Okay.
- Yeah, I could not be less picky.

[Kleine] Do you eat this shell?

Yeah, and I can also eat the tail.
I'm okay with it.

- [Kleine] Like this?
- Yeah, watch.

- [tail crunching loudly]
- It's crunchy!

[Kleine laughing] Do you…

[Kleine] Okay,
I can't do the shrimp crunch,

but I'll eat the strawberry leaves.

- Oh, okay. That's weird. No.
- Jenna!

Because those have bugs in them.

[Kleine] Um, anyways,
so you've had a hard week, but…

[Jenna] It was physically hard,
but not mentally or emotionally.

Last year,
it was all mental and emotional.

- Everyone was in their heads a little bit.
- [Kleine] Yeah. That's true.

Last year, when I didn't make the team,
I was like, "One less year with Kleine."

- [Kleine gasps]
- I'm not even kidding.

Don't make me gasp!

I was like, what if…
I was worried you were gonna retire.

- [laughs] Hi. Hi, Kleine.
- [laughing]

[Kleine] I am happy that I came back.

You really only get this opportunity
once to be a part of a girls' girl group

of people who actually care about you,
your well-being,

what you're going through.

- Just everything you want in a friendship.
- There's nothing like it.

[Kleine] Going into this fifth year,

I was totally undecided…
a couple months ago.

And I was like, "Do I…"

"Should I come back for a fifth year?
Do I have more to give?"

But my uniform turn-in was weird.

- How are y'all?
- [Kelli] Good.

I am planning on coming back
for a fifth year.

Um, I'm really excited for that.

I think getting to the milestone
of 50 games is so cool and so special,

and I just wanna be a source of light
for these young girls.

We're mentoring young women here.

I know y'all have a hard job to do
every year when we go into a new season.

[Kelli] Did you participate in the survey?

Yes, ma'am.

I had anxiety this morning, Kleine,
when I was reading it,

'cause I feel like there's something
I should share with you.

- As you make this decision.
- Mm-hmm.

That when everybody was asked
about who they wanted for group leaders,

your name was not at the forefront.

We don't want you to be sitting in there
our first few days of rehearsal

and then just not being able to give it
your all because you're disappointed.

[Kleine] Mmm-hmm.

First leadership is the best,
most capable, compassionate

leaders on this team,

and if the team doesn't see me as that,
I'm happy to be a supporting role.

[Judy] Mm-hmm.

And, yeah, so…

thank you for sharing
that with me, but I mean, honestly…

If you're serious about just wanting
to be a part of the team? Great.

From our perspective,
we'd love to have you reaudition.

I genuinely just love being here,
and being with my teammates. [sniffles]

[Kelli] And if it stops there,
I think we're in the right place, but…

the teammates aren't picking you
as a first group leader.

I don't know why.

Have you poured yourself
into your teammates

or are you pouring yourself
more into social media?

I mean, you're the one
that films the most in the locker room.

It might be the girls think
Kleine cares more about content.

I'm totally making this up.

I know Michelle had said that
one time you were asking

when is your photo
gonna be moved in the locker room?

Well, you were promoted
to a second group leader

in a very uncomfortable situation
for all of us.

So why does that matter?

Because--

Or posting on social media
"we're gonna get our leader ring,"

or stuff like that at the expense
of somebody else, maybe?

- Maybe.
- [tense music playing]

I just wanted to be honest with you
in case you were trying out

because you want to be
a first group leader,

and your picture is in a certain spot,

and you have a certain ring,
and you have a certain title.

I don't think that should be
your decision-making.

[crying softly] I just really wanted
to come in here, share who I am, and I'm…

It's just kind of the nitty-gritty
is getting to be too much,

just for right now,
so I think I just need…

- I'm gonna take, like, three minutes.
- [Kelli] Okay.

Thank you.

[Kleine breathes deeply]

[Kelli] The survey that I sent out,

the number one thing that they're saying
is they want more feedback from me.

What I don't want Kleine to do
is to decide yes and not…

- And then be disappointed.
- Mm-hmm.

- We're honest. You're not always…
- [Kelli] A dance leader.

[Kleine crying] It's just too much. I…

I just wanna be here for my team,
and I'm just trying to be the energy

and the light that y'all know I can be.

It's just…

- Sorry, Madie.
- [Madie K] No, no.

Just take some deep breaths.

- Hey, guys. Sorry for the drama.
- [Judy] No!

[all laugh nervously]

- [Kelli] I know.
- It was kind of a lot at once.

But just in case you're on that trail of,

"I want this, this, and this."

- [Kleine] Yeah.
- Or, "Look at me, I got--"

I'm gonna be honest and stop you there.
That's not the case with me.

The things that I'm after is

pouring into each and every one
of these 36 cheerleaders.

I am only doing it
for the friendships and to dance.

- [Kelli] Good.
- With that.

[all laughing]

[Kleine] Let me stop talking.
Which one's yes and which one's no?

[Kelli] We'll let you pick.
You're the first.

Well, there's an E in left,
so that means yes.

[Kelli] That's right. Okay.

That's me! [laughing]

- [Kelli] All right.
- [Kleine exhales]

[gentle music playing]

[Kleine] I thought about this
for a long time.

Being a group leader,

really leading the entire team
for the whole season.

But… I just don't think the cards…

I don't think I'm in it.

I just don't think I'm in the lineup,
and I think it's okay.

I just wanna let everyone know,
even though this is training camp,

and we're all stressed out of our minds,

you can still smile,
and you can still have fun.

- [both laughing]
- [Kleine] It's gonna be okay.

- Should we go get some ice cream?
- Let's go get ice cream! Yay!

- [indistinct chatter]
- [cheerleader] Sorry.

[spluttering and roaring theatrically]

[Shelly] Okay, you guys.

Come close and just get
a nice comfortable space on the floor.

This week, Kelli and Judy have taken some
of the DCC to New York City

to do a lot of press,

and we have quite a lot to get through.

So, while they are in New York,
we are gonna get a whole lot done.

Um, you're going to learn
the first half of "Thunder" tonight.

- [scattered clapping]
- Yay! I know you've been waiting for that.

And then the second half
of "Thunder" tomorrow night

and also "Baby I'm a Star" on Wednesday.

[Shelly] You know, getting from


over a pretty concise amount of time
means before long,

we're gonna be saying goodbye to people.

So, this week is really important.

- Okay. All right. Here we go.
- [Lea] We can spread out.

Rookies, if you want to go in the middle,
just so you can see better.

Okay.

We're going thun… der.

Smacking our hips, three, four,

and walking, five, six, seven, eight.

One… three, four, five
and six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, jump, four.

- [Shelly] Yes.
- [Lea] Okay, from the top with music.

[Kleine] Hey, girls, really quick.

So, when we go here, boom, boom,
around, and hit to the back.

You should have all your weight on this
left foot and hit that pretty picture.

You should feel weightless.
You know what I mean? [laughs]

- [Shelly] Well said. Thank you, Kleine.
- [Lea] Do you want to put it all together?

- [all] Yes, please.
- [tense music playing]

[Kleine] I think this is gonna be
the hardest camp I've ever been a part of.

And I've been a part of
some really hard training camps.

I mean, Kelli and Judy are gone
for a press something.

And there's six spots.

We have six freaking spots.

- It's stressful for everybody.
- [tense music continues]

[Kleine] But for the rookie,
it's an enormous amount of stress.

So, if there's anything I can do to take
the stress off of anybody, I will do it.

[cheerleader] Kleine!

[Kleine] I just want to be known
as a person that everyone could go to,

ask a question about a dance,
ask a question about a clean.

[Shelly] Everyone breathe.
We're gonna do round two next.

[tense synth music playing]

- Um, Parker.
- Yes, ma'am.

I see you shrinking and growing
and shrinking six times in one dance.

- Know what I mean?
- Yeah.

[Shelly] Yeah.

- Savanna, you are super fun and engaging.
- Thank you.

[Shelly] But you need
to be just as engaged in how…

like, your muscular delivery
of the movement.

Because it gets really soft.
This is turned up to an 11 out of 10.

- Okay.
- Which is a great thing.

Thank you.

But then your body will vacillate
between a 6 and a 7.5.

- So, we need to be strong. Yeah.
- Strong. Yes, ma'am.

[Savanna] Kelli and Judy aren't here,

so it is nice to not be so nervous
that you're gonna get cut that night.

I just… I don't want to disappoint anyone.

I want to do good for myself.

And I want them to see me grow
and see that I picked this up pretty fast

and did well.

- [Faith] Oh no! Lordy, no, no, no.
- [cheerleader laughing]

Oh, Lord, give us strength right now.

- [Shelly] Go, girls!
- [Faith] You know, we're technical.

We have that professional experience
of performing in front of thousands.

And we have those different elements
that the other girls might not have.

[Emily A] And we want it just as bad.

- We really want this.
- Absolutely.

Yeah, I don't get
these opportunities in Australia.

So I had to fly here to do it. I'm here,
I want it, and I'm gonna make it happen.

[Shelly] Okay. That whole little section
that's really specific with the feet

needs to be powerful.

And you guys are just missing
some powered moments.

Make certain of the choreography
so that you can confidently deliver.

Y'all are all really good dancers
and came from really strong backgrounds.

But I feel like
it's just a little bit misplaced

or it's a little softly delivered.

- That make sense?
- [cheerleaders] Yes, ma'am.

- [Lea] Okay, get some water.
- [Faith] Thanks, queen. Appreciate it.

Enjoy your night, girl.

Oh goodness me.

[Faith] Not having them there
takes the pressure off. That is nice.

But in the back of your head, you're like,

"They're gonna be back in two days.
I need to know what I'm doing."

Ugh, I'm starving.

[Faith] They're gonna come back,

and you need to show them
you have improved in that time.

Ugh, ladies, are we… What are we doing?

- Froyo? Dins? I kinda want food.
- I think we're gonna go hang in the room.

- Maybe eat in the room.
- I might make something in my room.

- What's everyone getting?
- Not sure.

- Are we going full out or a little nibble?
- [cheerleader] No, I need some noodles.

[laughing] Yeah.

- I'm so hungry.
- Greasy burger or sushi kind of vibe?

- Ooh! Sushi sounds good.
- [Faith] I know!

Emily's found a really good sushi place.

[indistinct chatter]

- Just because they love you guys.
- Yes. Authentic, whatever.

- [indistinct chatter continues]
- [expectant music playing]

We're just fangirling
over Kelli, Jada, and Reece.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

[Kelli] We are here in New York City to do
the Today show and Jimmy Fallon show.

♪ Since you've been gone, I… ♪

[all] ♪ Can breathe for the first time ♪

[Kelli] So I feel like we got to be closer
to the girls in some ways

because you're kinda
going through all this together.

Am I getting tired?

[laughing] Yes.

We were exhausted from the travel.

We just arrived in New York!
Wait, I like this lighting.

[Charly] We were on the flight
for a long time.

[Ava] Yeah, over three hours.

[Kelli] We were exhausted
from the interviews.

Wait a minute. You have to fight it out
for your spot every season?

- [Charly] Yes, ma'am.
- Yes.

- Wow!
- Yes.

Our cheerleaders told us we look
like mustard and ketchup, so there's that.

Reece, you were like this University
of Alabama religious sweet thing,

and then this dancing powerhouse.

What has it been like for you
to be on this global stage

now that this thing just keeps on growing?

Oh my goodness. It's such an honor.

[Judy] I definitely think
there are some cheerleaders

that are so much more visible, like Reece.

I don't even know how she does it.

[host 1] Reece, if you could go back
and tell past-you one thing?

Gosh, well, one,
I would tell Reece to buckle up, because…

[Reece] It was just
a completely new reality.

And I just didn't know how
to handle this new reality in our lives.

[host 1] What's it like to kinda be shaped
and turned into almost this influencer?

Have you found the balance yet?

Pretty much.
We're trying to figure it out.

We are!

It is juggling, but we're human,
and we're just trying to make it work.

I never want anyone's interaction with me
to be something that they didn't expect,

and sometimes I was just so tired
that I felt like, "Did I give enough?"

"Did I say enough?
Did I encourage enough?"

Did I do those things to someone
that they saw on the TV in real life?

[host 2] Okay, sweetie, Reece,
first of all, do you ever get mad?

[women laughing]

I will just preface,

I have been mad before, but I do try

to always be optimistic in everything.

[host 2] You are clearly a fan favorite.

I mean, you guys are icons.

I didn't really realize how much
America's Sweethearts, the cheerleaders,

have blown up to where

people really want to meet them
and see them,

and it is a lot more visibility.

[Kelli] It's kinda fun
to engage with people.

It's becoming more and more apparent to me

how people know the girls as individuals

and, um, love them as individuals.

Yeah, I'm…

[Kelli] But I've definitely seen
the anxiety levels of the girls elevated

because of that exposure.

- [gentle music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]

[Parker] Do you think that
they're gonna make cuts this week?

[Brenley] I don't think so.
I was thinking about it.

Honestly, I don't think that they will.

Yeah, they've seen us for two days.
You know?

- Literally two days, which is crazy.
- It is kind of crazy.

The thing about this
is whenever we go through this process,

it affects everyone in our lives.

- Like, it's affecting my family.
- Yeah.

Apparently, my dad got in a fight online
with someone about something,

and I was like,
"Dad, let's get off Facebook."

Don't tell me. Was it on Reddit?
'Cause have you seen those Reddit…

My mom and I were talking about Reddit.
I was like, "Mom, get off of Reddit."

It's like the parasocial relationship.

- [Parker] It is.
- We're just training camp candidates.

But because people
are watching the show right now,

they're going on Instagram, seeing,

"Oh, wait, who's in training camp
for the next season?"

Sunday morning, first thing
when I woke up, on my phone I saw, like,

the whole training camp candidate roster
posted on TikTok,

and I was like,
"Oh my gosh, that's literally me."

I had to actually delete TikTok.

I deleted it
after I found out I made finals.

I was like,
"I think I'll do mentally a lot better

if I'm not hopping on my phone
and seeing someone else post

about my life that doesn't even know me."

I, like, couldn't do it, so…

Between TikTok and Reddit, I'm like, "No."

And that's so tough because,
you know, we're experiencing all of this

for the first time and trying
to figure out what to feel and what to do.

You don't need to add to it with extra
stress of what random people think, right?

- But it's just so crazy.
- Right.

[Faith] Oh my God, I forgot to tell you.
I went on Reddit last night.

[Emily A] Faith,
I told you not to do that.

I really messed up.
Guys, it was really bad.

I was… Once I started scrolling,
I just kept scrolling.

- Doomscroll, girl.
- [Faith] I need to not do that.

- It's such a mindset thing.
- It is.

[Faith] I don't care what people say,
but you also low-key do a little bit.

We haven't even made it to that point yet.
No one knows anything.

They know everything
about every little detail.

They've gone back
and found videos of us dancing, and--

"Faith and Emily were on the same ship.
They did this."

They found our photo.
Someone was, "What's Emily's last name?"

"Her last name's Aubrey.
She grew up in this town. She did this."

No! These people have
too much time on their hands.

[Brenley] All the boyfriends
were getting destroyed online.

Like, "Why are these cheerleaders
dating these plain men

who don't deserve
how beautiful they are?" I'm like, "What?"

- [Parker] You don't know these people.
- You don't know them at all.

Yeah. I was telling my boyfriend,

"Sometimes you have to be
pretty private about stuff."

And he was like, "Well, why?
Do you wanna hide our relationship?"

And it's like, no, it's not about that.
It's just like,

then you're exposing not just me,

but now you and our relationship
to certain things.

You're in a spotlight
you've never been in before.

[Brenley] Yeah. And it's crazy
that you kind of forget,

like, how much of a big deal it is.

Oh yeah. We all
voluntarily walked into this process.

I mean, it's been very well documented.
So it's not a secret at all.

I totally think
it's pushing me in all the right ways.

But it also feels like we've been doing it
forever, like, we're so deep into it.

[Brenley] I know. I'm still like,
"It's still just the beginning."

I'm nervous because since Kelli and Judy
haven't been there the whole week,

- they haven't like seen us learn anything.
- Yeah.

And so I'm scared
that they're gonna have high expectations,

like it needs to be basically perfect
because we've had it.

[Savanna] Today, I woke up, and was like,
"Okay, I have to nail 'Thunder.'"

So I went to my studio,

and I did it four times full out
with kicks.

- Not expecting to do it tonight!
- [woman] You're psycho.

[Savanna] I was like, "Let's go!"

And then we started tonight,
and I was like, "Nope."

Sorry, I'm bringing all my food.

- [Amaya] What'd you get?
- I got Hawaiian.

[Emily A] h* Bros? Is that what that says?

Yeah, I needed white rice.
White rice is my death row meal.

- And that's all I could think of tonight.
- Really?

But I think I ordered an extra one
that I didn't get.

So if someone's hungry…

[Morgan] Yeah.

[Faith] What up, girlies?

- Hi, baby! That's so cute!
- [all exclaim]

- [Morgan] Those are so cute!
- She's in her jammies.

How's everyone's food, guys?
Mine's giving really, you know…

- [Emily A] This is what I have.
- What did you make?

A cheese and ham little
panini toastie thing with some chips.

Do you want ramen noodles? I have that.

- [Savanna] Yo, you can literally eat this.
- What is it?

- [Savanna] Teriyaki chicken, rice.
- [laughter]

[Faith] This is like an experience
like no other.

I'm not with my family. I don't have those
things to go home to after training camp.

You bond with these girls
on a different level.

So what is it?
Chicken with some saucy stuff.

- If anyone wants to have some…
- [Savanna] It's teriyaki chicken.

Food-wise, I'm making do.
I've lived in a little cruise ship room

trying to make my own
little snacks and foods.

Having a microwave,
I'm like, "Hell yeah, this is great."

And I got a little toastie machine
that I went and bought from…

What do you guys call it?
Walmart? That the one?

- [laughs] Look at this. This is that.
- [wistful music playing]

There's definitely
a cultural difference for sure.

[Brianne] No, it's good. What's Vegemite?

[Morgan] Wait, yeah,
what is the flavor of Vegemite?

- Guys, it's a spread.
- [Savanna] Like jelly.

- No.
- [Morgan] What is it made of?

- Like cream cheese?
- Oh my God, guys! No!

I feel like us Australians,
we're quite laid back, chill, easygoing.

And I feel like Americans are always,
"Go, go, go," a hundred miles an hour.

But so are we, though, at the same time.
So there's just… it's a bit of both.

- It's black.
- Let me see.

Guys!

[woman] Ew!

[Emily A] Wait, wait, wait!
I might have some.

[all] Ew!

- [woman] Why do you have some?
- I don't know.

- Why is it in your fanny pack?
- I don't know.

A non-Australian
has some potential Vegemite.

[all exclaiming] No!

That's an Australian thing. They have
mini ones in the airport, so I was like…

[Savanna] That is hilarious.

Someone has to try it.

Okay, everyone has to do
a little finger dip.

- [all exclaiming]
- Absolutely.

There's just a bit of like a
different energy, which I actually love.

I think it's cool to see
the different cultures all come together

and, you know, make our differences work.

- [woman] Ready?
- Cheers, guys.

[Faith] "G'day, mate" on three. [laughing]

[all laughing and exclaiming loudly]

[Faith] Guys, how delicious is it?

I'll bring you guys to Australia now,
and you can have some on some toast.

[gagging] It has… It won't…
It won't leave. It won't leave.

And it's way better on toast.

Welp.

- Gross and lovely!
- That's sad.

Are y'all ready for tomorrow?

[Savanna] I'm so excited.
I love the field.

[Morgan] Y'all,
we have to be locked in tomorrow.

It's getting real, ladies.
It is getting real.

[Savanna] Welcome back, Kelli and Judy.

[tensely expectant music playing]

If anybody else is getting hangry,
we can eat. [laughs]

- [Shelly laughing] Okay.
- I have to. I'm getting hangry.

[Kelli] Okay. So, we have how many
with perfect scores, 33 or 34?

[Judy] Thirty-three.

So, we've seen 'em in two rehearsals,
and you've seen them…

We were in New York.
You've seen them three additional.

[Shelly] Yeah.
They were long, hard, full nights.

They were sweating
by the time they finished.

But it was really good,
and I have to just stop and say this.

Lea was amazing.

But also, Kleine had several
positive interactions with the group.

Things to say or things to clarify.

- Positively or "listen to me, look at me"?
- [Shelly] Positively.

Like just, "Hey, you guys,
when you execute that, think about this."

Or, "Let's clarify
this particular movement."

Kleine did. And I was impressed with that.

Talk to us about
who are your standout rookie candidates?

Who impressed you?

[Lea] One, two,
three, four, five, six, seven…

[Shelly] Standouts, Brenley,

Bri,

Morgan,

Parker,

Tatum right now.

- [Kelli] I think that was five names.
- [Shelly] Mm-hmm.

Okay.

- Savanna, I can only give her a maybe.
- [Kelli] Really?

[Shelly] The execution
wasn't what I would have wanted.

Like, this… wasn't matching this.
This was having…

Like, this was a party,
and this was trying to figure it out.

And then Emily A.

She has moments, because I think she's
such a well-trained dancer technically,

that she will hit a shape,
and it will be so pretty.

- [Kelli] Beautiful, right.
- But then syncing up with the choreography

and making those power moves,

it was a pretty big departure
from what most people were doing.

So…

[Judy] And her memory,
when we left, was a struggle for her.

- Yeah.
- [Kelli] So let's watch her closely.

[Kelli] Okay, Faith?

So Faith and Emily have some
of the same issues,

but she was struggling
a little less obviously than Emily.

[Judy] I think Faith asks
the right questions and kinda knows

and feels something's wrong.

When she keeps saying "yes, yes, yes,"
it's not just lip service.

- [Shelly] She's working her a*s off.
- She is processing.

Yes. I can see improvement,
but it's still, you know,

pretty far away
from a Tatum, a Morgan, or a Brenley.

So we'll see.

[Kelli] Okay.

[Judy] We need to make a cut tonight.

[Kelli] Thank God tonight's rookies only.

So they've now had five team rehearsals.

So tonight,

if we move to the field,
we'll get to see that scale of dancer.

[sober music playing]

See if somebody comes to life,
see if the field swallows somebody up.

I know when we walk in the room,
they're gonna probably panic.

[Savanna] You know, it feels like
the ground is moving. I'm scared now.

[Jenna] No, it's okay. Don't be scared.

[Savanna] I just talk… It's okay.
I'm talking myself off the ledge.

- [Jenna] We got it.
- Yeah.

[Jenna softly] We can do this.

♪ We can do this ♪

- [Faith] It feels surreal.
- We're back!

[Megan] First time on the field
since auditions, right?

[Faith] Yeah.

[Megan] Oh yay!
A lot less nerve-wracking. Don't worry.

- Right?
- Yeah.

[Megan] Okay.

I love nights like tonight 'cause
it's just y'all, just us, so we can know…

you guys better… as dancers

and not get lost in the crowd.

Um, I think
we're gonna show and sell, right?

[Judy] Yes, we're gonna start
with kicks since you're warm.

Okay, let me have Amaya, Brenley, Bri,

Cooper, Emily A, Emily R, and Faith.

[cheerleader] Did she say…

Okay, can y'all center up?

[Faith] Oh, in order. I was like…
I was on the end, I think. Maybe.

[cheerleader] Right here?

- [expectant music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]

[Jenna] Kelli and Judy just like
make everything more real.

Like, the room is heavier.

You can cut the tension with a knife.

[Kelli quietly] Do we… Do we tell Emily R,
"You're too short for this team"?

[Judy] Her kicks were snappy.

I know, but I don't wanna give her
false hope either.

[Judy loudly] Okay, did y'all hook up?

Make sure you're all
on a whole yard line for this one.

[Megan] "Thunderstruck."

Just the kick.

- [Reece] You got it, girls.
- [Megan] Let's go, girls!

["Thunderstruck" playing on speakers]

[Kelli] I'd like to see…

Emily R next to Savanna
because is Savanna taller than her?

She has to be.

Her fan kicks.

[Judy] Emily's pulling on her,
and her thumbs are out.

Both of them are though.

Oof! They look like
they're hanging on for dear life.

[song fading]

[scattered clapping]

Faith, show me your passé.

Yeah, pull your knee
a little even higher and tighter.

Yeah, I mean, your foot to your knee.
You should almost bruise it.

- Yep.
- Don't say "yes, ma'am" before I finish.

[laughs nervously] Sorry.

Yeah, 'cause you were kinda…

your foot wasn't pointed
and wasn't in passé.

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judy] Do your passé again.

No, your hips should…

Your knee and your hips should turn
to as far as you can to the side.

Um…

[Kelli] And your toe's
at the top of your kneecap.

Faith. Toe at the top of your kneecap.

Like further out, sorry?

- What?
- [Shelly] And connect. Pull it back.

[Faith] This? Yeah.

[Judy] Okay, you can relax.

[Shelly] Emily A and Faith, both of you
missed one, two, three, four, five, six.

One. [exclaims] No.
Now, I'm just talking about your head.

In fact, we can just do heads.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

One, two. Do you see the difference?

Head!

Head!

Keep your head there. Well…

It's the same things that y'all have to
really concentrate on getting

to look like one person.

[all] Yes, ma'am.

[Judy] Okay, y'all want to get a drink
of water before we go on to dances?

- [all] Yes, ma'am.
- [cheerleader] Thank you. Phew.

- [Faith] So much fun, girls.
- [Emily A] Dance is so fun!

I was like,
"Please don't say anything to me."

Yeah.

[indistinct chatter]

When there's a mistake
that really shouldn't happen,

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.

I'm gonna let them know
that this has to be fixed.

End of story.

Emily A, you're a fluid dancer.

- And that's beautiful in other venues.
- [dark synth music playing]

Journi, you stole the show
at the Dallas Live,

and I need you to steal the show here.

[Judy] Faith, you're doing the
"trying so hard that it throws you off."

- You were almost like…
- [Faith] Right.

It's a stretch. Don't be spastic about it.

Yes, ma'am.

Growing up with a strict dance teacher,
cheer coach,

I'm used to criticism.

That! That kick, what is that?

[Faith] The toe tap?

[Kelli] The toe tap? Brush that left foot

as opposed to jumping
like an excited child.

[Faith] Got you. Exactly that. Yep.

When you hear your name often, it's like,
"Oh God, are they looking at cutting me?"

But I try and not let that get to me
and remind myself,

"No, this is good, Faith.
You're learning new things."

"It's important to get the feedback."

[Kelli] And, Amaya, you're doing
a little extra head something.

Savanna, to be a tinier frame,

you gotta stretch that right leg more.

Dance is a very high-pressure sport.
You only have one chance to audition

for a dream gig,
so a lot of the feedback has to be direct.

You have to apply it immediately
and show immediate progression.

- Jenna, you look nervous.
- [Jenna] Nervous?

- Nervous sometimes, so don't be nervous.
- I'll work on that. Thank you.

I don't have that anxiety and dread
that I had last year,

but I'm not like,
"This is a walk in a park."

Like, this… it's still hard.

And you can't even dance your best

because you're so nervous.

Emily A, no power
in upper body movements in "Thunder."

The pressure of them sitting there
watching you while doing her voice notes.

Emily A, not exact on style-matching.

It's just, you don't know what to expect.

You don't know what's coming
and that's absolutely terrifying.

Faith, sometimes
you have really bad posture.

[Faith] Okay.

Pinch your bra straps
to get the back back.

[Faith] Yes, ma'am.

You don't know when they're watching you.
Cuts have to be made.

You're being watched like a hawk.
You have to be constantly switched on.

[Kelli] Tatum, um, good show.

Morgan, good show.

And, Maddie,
you're gonna have to up your game.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

[Judy] Okay, y'all get a drink of water,

and then Megan's gonna teach you
a couple of nonmusical sidelines.

- What do they call them now?
- They call them "tags."

- Tags.
- We called them non-musicals.

- We did 'cause there was no music.
- No music.

[indistinct chatter]

[Faith exhales] I need to breathe.
Forgetting to breathe out there.

Makes you more tired.

[tense music playing]

[Faith] Oh! That's my banana coming up.

- That's so real.
- Sorry, girl.

- Wait, I have to pee.
- [Faith] I think it's a nervous pee.

Mouth keeps getting dry
'cause I'm nervous.

[Emily A] Yeah, I think so.

[tense music continues]

[Judy] It's gonna be hard to cut down.

I know.

- [Kelli] One, two, three, four, five, six…
- But if you had to…

- I mean, I could…
- [Judy] I mean, we have to.

[Brianne] What's happening right now?

- [Emily A groans]
- [Faith] I know, it's like a stitch.

- [Emily A] Are they not coming back?
- [Brenley] Mm-mm.

- [Emily A] They're not coming back at all?
- [Brenley] No…

I mean, right now, if you were
jumping to six, can you do that?

- Yeah, I could…
- In your brain?

In my brain, what…

What the numbers are telling
is what my mind's telling me.

[Megan] Good job.
Girls, I know it's a lot.

I know. It's a lot.
But you girls are doing really good.

- Just know that. You guys are amazing.
- [Faith] Thank you.

[Megan] So, I know you can be really hard
on yourself, 'cause I am the same way.

That's why we're all in this room.

[Kelli] I want to read to you
the types of things

we saw at finals, and then we want
to talk to you about where you are now.

[pensive music playing]

Okay? And then just we'll see
if you can handle the truth.

[gentle music playing]