Season 12

## Veteran DCCs

Jenna (6th year, GL, SG)

Jinelle (5th year, GL, SG)

Lacey (4th year, GL, SG)

Amy L. (3rd year, 2nd GL, SG)

Chantel (3rd year, SG)

Elizabeth (3rd year, 2nd GL)

KaShara (3rd year, GL, SG, Point, Pro Bowl)

Robin (3rd year, 2nd GL, SG, VOTY)

Simone (3rd year)

Stephanie (3rd year, SG)

Cersten (2nd year, SG)

Heather O. (2nd year, 2nd GL, SG)

Jessika (2nd year)

Kelli (2nd year, SG)

Kelsey (2nd year)

Khalyn (2nd year)

Maddie (2nd year, SG)

Maggie (2nd year, SG)

Milan (2nd year)

Selina (2nd year)

Tasha (2nd year, SG)

Tess (2nd year)

Yuko (2nd year)

## Rookie DCCs

Alexandria (left before the regular season started)

Alexis

Christina

Gina (SG)

Kalyssa (SG)

Keyra

Lauren (SG)

Lexie

Miranda

Molly

Rachel

Savannah (ROTY)

Tara

## Unsuccessful Candidates

Tessa Grace

Kate (Not invited to semifinals - episode 12.1)

Madisyn (Not invited to semifinals - episode 12.1)

Cameron (Not invited to finals - episode 12.2)

Cary (Not invited to finals - episode 12.2, Note: *her mother is not invited to semifinals*)

Jasmin (Not invited to finals - episode 12.2)

Reana (Not invited to finals - episode 12.2)

Whitney (Not invited to finals - episode 12.2)

Allie (Veteran cut at finals - episode 12.3)

Heather H. (Veteran cut at finals - episode 12.3)

Raylee (Veteran cut at finals - episode 12.3)

Alexandra (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Briana B. (Titans) (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Brittney (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Cristi Fisher (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Dayton (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Hannah (S13 Rookie) (Not invited to training camp - 12.3)

Joi Smith (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Julia (S14 TCC) (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Katelynn (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Kelly Jeannelle (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Kristin (S14 Rookie) (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Lacey (Rams) (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Randi (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Raven (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Tori (S15 TCC) (Not invited to training camp - episode 12.3)

Erin (Cut from training camp - episode 12.5)

Madeline (Cut from training camp - episode 12.6)

Brianna (Cut from training camp - episode 12.7)

Celinda (Cut from training camp - episode 12.8)

Holly (Submits resignation letter - episode 12.10)

Brennan (Cut from training camp - episode 12.10)

Erica (Mysteriously disappears - episode 12.11, *Note: unaired*)

Taryn (Cut from training camp - episode 12.12)

## Episodes

### **12.1 – “Auditions Begin”**

**Summary**

Girls waiting outside for preliminaries before the doors to AT&T Stadium open up, followed by primping. Anthony Ramos and Melissa Rycroft are back judging. Kelli gives her speech, followed by the candidates dancing for the judges. Kelli, Judy, and Charlotte have a judging session, followed by Phil revealing the board showing those who advanced to semi-finals.

**Biography**

Kate

Dayton

Kalyssa

Briana B.

**Confessionals**

**End of Journey**

Kate

Madisyn

### **12.2 – “Semis”**

**Summary**

Semi-finals at AT&T Stadium. The candidates prepare, followed by going onto the field where they are taught a routine, and then perform it for the judges (Neal McCoy is back). Judges then deliberate (Charlotte can’t make the discussion). Phil has a dance party with the semifinalists while they wait for the results. Judging finishes, followed by announcement of finalists. Practice session with veterans (at Valley Ranch) preparing for finals, where they mention 28 returning veterans, with several low-key pre-audition office visits.

**Biography**

Lacey (Rams)

Alexandria

Katelynn

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Pre-audition

Jenna

Kelsey

Cersten

Yuko (and KaShara)

**End of Journey**

Cary

Whitney

### **12.3 – “Finals”**

**Summary**

Finals prep session at Kitty Carter’s studio, followed by a veteran practice at Valley Ranch. Panel interviews at AT&T Stadium, followed by the main portion of final auditions at AT&T Stadium (55 rookie candidates at finals). Solo performances come first (Holly has a wardrobe malfunction), and next is the on-field portion with kick-line. Then finals deliberations, followed by announcements of who makes it into training camp (44 in total)

**Biography**

Alexandra

Rachel

**Confessionals**

**End of Journey**

Alexandra

Allie (Veteran cut)

Briana B.

Dayton

Heather H. (Veteran cut)

Katelynn

Lacey (Rams)

Raylee (Veteran cut)

### **12.4 – “Empty Your Bucket”**

**Summary**

Opening meeting at the Star, followed by a tour of the facilities. Jerry Jones talks with them before the start of their first practice, and tells them to “empty your bucket.” First practice concludes without office visits. Next is the alumni workshop, (Shelly Bramhall, Tina Kalina, Audrea Cowan, Ashton Torres, Sarah Gourley, Mia Greenhouse and Cassie Trammell) followed by a practice at the Star with Kelli and Judy and the same alumni. Afterwards, Kelli and Judy and the alumni have a discussion. Finally, to conclude the first week of training camp, they call four people into the office without making cuts to end the first week of training camp.

**Biography**

Lauren

Savannah/Tara

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

End of episode

Tasha

Stephanie

Erin

Brianna

### **12.5 – “Getting the Look”**

**Summary**

Makeover day at Tangerine Salon, followed by a practice to start the second week of training camp where they outside to learn the kick-line and jump split which then goes inside followed by office visits. Next is a practice at the Star with Kitty Carter (without any office visits). Then there is a practice at the Star which starts with group leader announcements and with guest choreographer Jordan Johnson (with his dance partner/fiancée Danielle) at the end of week 2. This is followed by office visits and the first cut of the season.

**Biography**

Molly

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Mid episode

Molly

Selina

Alexis

End of episode

Alexandria

Madeline

*Erin (2)*

**End of Journey**

Erin (43 left)

### **12.6 – “Media Training”**

**Summary**

Rookie practice at Next Step Dance with Melissa Rycroft with focus on showmanship, followed by a week 3 practice at the Star with guest choreographers Bree Hayfen and Keith Green, with office visits. Uniform fittings at the Star happen next, and then media training day (with a TV interview and radio interview). Practice at the Star to end week 3, with guest choreographer Michelle Keys, who then discusses the candidates with Kelli and Judy in the office. The episode ends with the second cut of training camp.

**Biography**

Brennan

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Mid episode

Brennan

Celinda

End of episode

Rachel

*Madeline (2)*

**End of Journey**

Madeline (42 left)

### **12.7 – “Personality Testing”**

**Summary**

Practice at the Star at the start of week 4 with guest choreographer Denise Dicharry with office visits all completed before the first commercial break. Visiting with military veterans and the Dallas VA Medical Center and then show group auditions at Gilley’s (guest judges Anthony Ramos, Neal McCoy, Kitty Carter). Then there is a field practice at the end of week 4 of training camp with Kitty, which then goes inside with show group announcements. Deliberations with Kitty, followed by office visits to conclude the week, including another cut.

**Biography**

Gina

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Early episode

Celinda (2)

Brennan (2)

Brianna (2)

End of episode

Selina (2)

*Brianna (3)*

**End of Journey**

Brianna (41 left)

### **12.8 – “Picture Perfect”**

**Summary**

Cameo day at AT&T Stadium, then a week 5 practice at the Star with guest choreographer Nick Florez (and Kitty Carter) which includes an improv dance session. This is followed by deliberations with Kitty and Florez and office visits, with Celinda being cut mid-episode. Next is the dining etiquette session and then a practice with Melissa Rycroft at the Star at the end of week 5. The three then review the results from the cameo shoot. They end with office visits, which includes bringing in Gina’s group leaders to discuss her as a teammate. One cut concludes the episode.

**Biography**

Keyra

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Mid episode

Holly

Alexandria (2)

*Celinda (3)*

End of episode

Taryn

Lacey (about Gina)

Robin (about Gina)

Gina

**End of Journey**

Celinda (40 left)

### **12.9 – “Hit the Field”**

**Summary**

Eleven of the cheerleaders appear at a house party concert by Demi Lovato. Practice at the Ford Center at the start of week 6 in their boots learning the DCC entrance. After the commercial, Charlotte gives everyone a tour of the Star, and then a rookie spinning class with Melissa Rycroft. Practice at the Star with guest judge, country music artist RaeLynn. Evaluations to conclude week 6 (contentious office visits with Jenna and Holly). No-one is cut from training camp.

**Biography**

Lexie

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Mid episode

Christina

Taryn (2)

End of episode

Jenna (2)

Holly (2)

### **12.10 – “The Next Step”**

**Summary**

At the start of episode, Kelli gives a confessional saying Holly resigned from the team. Then it cuts to a field practice at the Star to start week seven, with setting of the triangle for the Canton performance, followed by office visits. Next is the first show group performance for a concert at AT&T Stadium. The episode ends with a field practice for the end of week seven followed by office visits and a cut.

**Biography**

Alexandria (2)

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Mid episode

Tasha (2)

Gina (2)

Lauren

End of episode

Savannah

*Brennan (3)*

**End of Journey**

Holly (her resignation is announced at the start of the episode)

Brennan (38 left)

### **12.11 – “Hall of Fame Week”**

Veterans travel to Canton, Ohio and prepare for the Hall of Fame Game on the field and tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum (and meet with Emmitt Smith there). Then they perform at a festival event, before one last practice before their Hall of Fame Game performance where they honor Jerry Jones’ induction into the Hall of Fame. There is an outside practice (rookies and veterans) to conclude week 8. They have a photographer working during the practice, and Kelli and Judy review the photos after the rehearsal and conduct office visits.

**Biography**

Christina

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

End of episode

Keyra

Jenna (3)

**End of Journey**

Erica? (Unaired, 37 left)

### **12.12 – “Down to the Wire”**

**Summary**

Start of week nine of training camp with a generic studio practice. Then a show group performance (first one with rookies) for the opening of the first Dallas Cowboys training camp at the Star. Then is the first ever Cowboys Fit feature where Kelli, Judy, and Kitty Carter discuss the candidates while on massage chairs. Ends with a rehearsal of training camp at the Ford Center at the Star at the end of week nine and a cut.

**Biography**

Kalyssa (2)

**Confessionals**

**Office Visits**

Early episode

Keyra

End of episode

Savannah (2)

Christina (2)

*Taryn (3)*

**End of Journey**

Taryn (36 left)

### **12.13 – “The Pre Season Test”**

**Summary**

Practice at the Ford Center for the last week of training camp, which ends with them announcing the team by having the candidates stand in the triangle and telling them these look like their places for the season. They all celebrate and then see their locker room in the Star. Next is squad photo day (Anthony Ramos shows up). Later is the “Meet the Team” event after which, and they see their locker room at AT&T Stadium. Next is game day, with the cheerleaders going to the Star and driving over to AT&T Stadium. They complete the pre-game rehearsal and then the first game of the season.

**Confessionals**

## Miscellaneous

### **Retired Cheerleaders Appearing**

Ashton Torres

Cassie Trammell

Jennifer

Jacie

Kinzie

Melissa Rycroft

Mia Greenhouse

Michelle Keys

Sarah Gourley

### **Other**

* This is the first season to take place at The Star.
* This is the first season to expand to 13 episodes, as well as the first to have preliminaries and semifinals take place in separate episodes.
* Erica can be seen for the first 11 episodes of the season, and is last present when Kelli and Judy announce office visits at the end of episode 12.11. She is not seen afterwards, and her absence is not acknowledged by the show. Erica Wilkins was quietly cut or quit because she sued the Cowboys, because according to the lawsuit, she was not paid for all the hours she worked. The Cowboys organization settled out of court.

**Unofficial Carey DePasquale Award for most invisible rookie:** Alexis (6 confessionals)