Jasmine Raphaella

* [Joint biography with Danielle Marie] Jasmine says cheering for the New York Jets was an amazing experience. But they always talk about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, how exciting they look when they perform, and how they really want to be on that team. Danielle says they’ve been saying “2012, we’re trying out for the team,” and here they are. Danielle says it’s the best of the best, and if they go for another team, they might as well go for the big time, and Jasmine agrees. Jasmine says they’ve been preparing for auditions for a while. They’ve been practicing every day, doing workouts, taking hot yoga; a lot of work goes into this. Danielle says if one of them makes the team and the other doesn’t, it would be hard, but one would be happy for the other.

## **Confessionals**

Total: 38

Season 7: 35 (5th most)

Season 8: 1

Season 9: 0

Season 10: 2

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* Joint biography with Danielle Marie
* [Invited to semifinals, with Danielle Marie] "Both of our numbers were on it, so that means we’re coming back tomorrow for semifinals, and this means so much, because it means they saw something in us to bring us back."
* "I’m nervous about, just hoping that my solo does not fall apart, that I remember everything."

**(7.2)**

* "It’s amazing to come in here and see the history, starting from when they started to all the way up to present.
* "It was very intimidating listening to (Kelli) talk about everything, because you’re wondering, “Will I be able to handle all this this summer plus learning dances, but it’s something that I’m gonna try my best to do."
* "This is my first time having my own apartment and paying my own rent, and so it’s just very surprising to know that, you know, I have all these bills to pay for and rent to worry about, on top of DCC rehearsals and practice and finding a job, and it’s a lot of stress going on in my life right now."
* "Living with Danielle gives me a lot of support we are able to practice with each other. We can study with each other. Very nice to have a friend with you."
* [With Danielle] "Danielle: We’re both very determined, because we both want it really bad, and as much as we want it as individuals, we want the other one to have it also, so…"/Jasmine: "We came here with one goal and that was to make the team."
* [With Danielle, after Sydney gives them advice] "That’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna try to just dance for ourselves and flirt at ourselves [*Danielle agrees*], and hopefully, they’ll be like, “Wow, what is that girl doing over there? She’s having a great time.”

**(7.3)**

* [Learning the jump split] "I was terrified. The kicks, I’m not really worried about. It was mostly the jump split, and I knew it was coming for me, and I just didn’t know it was going to be tonight."
* "I started crying because Judy took me out of the line and she told me to just do it by myself and, you know, you don’t want to be the one person not doing it with your whole DCC’s."
* [Called into the office] "(Kelli and Judy) could cut somebody tonight. I don’t know."
* [Before office] "It is possible; they let somebody go on the second night; they could let me go tonight. I don’t know."
* [After office] "It wasn’t bad. (Kelli) was just saying, “Just don’t be scared, and you can do it.” And it was really nice to see them be very caring towards me in a way, I’m glad that they called me in and told me what I can work on now."
* "The last rehearsal, I was called into the office by Judy and Kelli. They just warned me on not holding back when I dance. I’ve been rehearsing all day, every day since the last time, and hopefully it will all pay off.

**(7.4)**

* "Kelli said that I was still a little bit clunky, so it’s just, I guess, something that I have to just work on. I’m hoping that I still have a chance."
* [Called into the office]" If tonight is my last night, I would probably cry right now. It makes me want to cry thinking about it, but I know that I worked really hard, and it’s in my best."
* [Before office] "Right now, Kelli and Judy called me into the office. It’s probably about me being clunky still and I’m hoping it’s that, and I hope they bring me back for tomorrow. I don’t know, I mean anything’s possible."
* [After office, teary] "It’s going to be hard with money, getting privates, but I’m just hoping that my parents will help me out, because I really don’t have that much money and that’s what I’m really freaked out about, because it’s like… aah! I’m so poor! Yeah, I’m just worried about that. Whatever it takes and I’m gonna do it. Like, if I have to sleep on the streets, I don’t care."

**(7.5)**

* "Training camp is very stressful. I’m hoping I can go in there and show them that I’m not clunky anymore and I can just perform and be a great dancer, and I hope they see that."
* "It was really crazy doing across-the-floor. Think everyone was confused and (Judy) was really fast. She taught it right on the spot, and we had to do it right after."
* [Before office, with Danielle Marie] "If today was our last day, I know we both would feel like we failed, because we…" – Jasmine/"I don’t want to think. – Danielle/…"gave it our all. We don’t want to think like that. But there are going to be girls that are cut, so it could possibly be us." – Jasmine
* [After office, with Danielle Marie] "Kitty (Carter) and Judy called us in the office. They just, I think, expect more from us, because we are coming from another professional team. And so they just wanted us to know that they’re rooting for us, but we just need to turn it on." – Jasmine/"I’m going to fight, because we made it this far together, and we’re gonna be fine. We have to just believe it." – Danielle/"Yes." – Jasmine
* "It was really emotional for both of us to know that we worked so hard to get here, and to make to this far to cameo day, it’s huge. Kelli and Judy have warned me a couple of time about my dancing, but I’m hoping that they can see me in front of the camera and these photos, like, “Wow, she does have it all and that she can improve with the dancing.” And I’m hoping that they’ll love what they see on the camera."
* [Cameo] "It’s gonna be really hard to take off this beautiful uniform. But I’m taking it off knowing that I’m going to keep working hard. That, one day, a couple weeks, I’m gonna be able to put it back on."
* "Being outside, doing the jump splits was very intimidating, especially for me because I’ve had issues with my hip, but you just have to go for it."

**(7.6)**

* "This is the first time we’ll be dancing since semis on the field, and it’s really exciting, but really nerve-wracking."

**(7.7)**

* "It’s hard to believe that it can be over in a second. So, I’m really scared, but I’m trying to stay positive, and hopefully tonight won’t be my last night."
* "I was rushing a little bit (at rehearsal) because I was just so excited. I had so many emotions and just want to show (Kelli and Judy) I belong here, so hopefully they want to keep me."
* "I’m not sure what’s going to happen next right now. I’m just ready for whatever (Kelli and Judy) are going to throw at me."
* [With Danielle Marie after making team] "I can say I’m a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader."
* [With Danielle Marie - Game Day] "This is our first game as a DCC; our first one for our career. And it’s amazing to know that all the hard work that we put in during training camp is gonna pay off today. And it’s just very exciting."
* [Game Day] "You know, I still have the energy to do this for four hours."

**(7.8)**

* “I don’t think I breathed through that whole thing (performance with Big & Rich) at all. I was like, “Breathe, Jasmine, breathe!” But you’re just so excited and you just want to dance bigger and bigger, and it’s just a great experience. And I’m so happy I got to do it!“

**(7.11)**

* “Everyone is so nervous about halftime, because there’s a lot riding on this. We’re gonna have DCC alumni on the field with us. They’re expecting a lot. Kelli and Judy are expecting a lot. There’s just so much we have to worry about today. So, I’m really, really nervous. I’m just hoping I don’t screw it up.“

### **Season 8**

**(8.6)**

* [After she falls at show group auditions] “You know, I just hope that the judges see that, yeah, I fell, but I kept on going. Probably broke a bone, but it’s all good.“

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* [Finals] “I’m a little nervous for the veterans; we have a lot to lose. All my best friends are on this team. I made my life here. Hopefully, the judges will see every girl that was on the team last year still deserves their spot back.“
* [Names being called] “It is a nerve-wracking experience. I think I did all I could do to keep my spot on this team. And I’m hoping that the judges saw that I still belong here.“

## **Commentary**

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* [Preliminaries judging] “She cheered for the (New York) Jets.“ – Kelli/“She didn’t stand out for me today, at all.“ – Charlotte Jones
* (*Kelli and Judy turn to each other and give thumbs up while Jasmine dances at semifinals*)
* “Jasmine looks clunky down there.“ – Kelli
* [Finals deliberation] “I thought she looked like she could be a part of the squad. I thought she had great potential. I mean, she was on the big screen. She seemed like she was darling to me.“

**(7.2)**

* [Rehearsal] “Jasmine’s letting us have it.“ – Kelli
* “Kind of what you, when you dance, you make us want to watch you even though you’re making a lot of mistakes ‘cause there’s just something cute about your style, and it started with us, you catching our attention going that way because you had cute style from the back.“ – Judy

**(7.3)**

* “Jasmine, don’t do (the jump-split) with the group anymore until you can do it confident. You’re sliding.“ – Judy
* “We pulled Jasmine out of the kickline tonight because she was not comfortable with doing the jump-split and I was scared that someone was going to get permanently injured.“ – Judy
* “Tell her she’s going to be fine. She needs to do (the jump-split) by herself for a while. If you feel like you can’t do the splits yet, stand behind the line and don’t do it full-out yet.“ – Judy
* [Confessional after office visit] “I wanted to make sure that we aren’t going to lose Jasmine’s confidence. We can give jump-splits a little bit of time.“– Kelli

**(7.4)**

* [Rehearsal] “Uh, oh. Jasmine just got a little clunky.“ – Judy
* “Jasmine, I have a new adjective for you. It’s “clunky.” You were clunky. We need to work on your dance technique.“ – Kelli
* “She’s dancing clunkier now.“ – Kelli
* “Jasmine, you looked clunky again. You remind me of my best rookie friend as a cheerleader, Tina. Every comment she ever got, “clunky, clunky, clunky.” And you could benefit from some real, any off-night, just true dance classes.“ – Kelli
* “Can you do the splits?“ – Kelli/“I’m sorry, I’ve been seeing a therapist right now, and my hip flexor is a little sore, so it’s kind of…“ - Jasmine/“But you can normally do the splits?“ – Kelli/“But I can, yeah. It’s just a little sore right now.“ – Jasmine

**(7.5)**

* [Rehearsal] “You draw my attention because you’re pigeon-toed. You’ve got these long legs on the end of the line, so you should be bigger than life. Demand that I watch you.“ – Kitty Carter
* “Jasmine needs to attack the dances and do it with more power. She needs to pump it up a lot.“ – Judy
* [Cameo shoot] “Wow, she’s got legs.“ – Judy/“She’s cute, though. She’s just underdeveloped as a performer or a model.“– Kelli/“I think there’s something I still want to fight for in her. She can still develop in a lot of areas.“ – Judy
* “Jasmine’s coming into the cameos needing and hoping to wow us. There’s something pretty about her. I don’t think it was a deal maker or deal breaker.“ – Kelli
* [Second rehearsal] “You didn’t throw as forcefully as you could.“ – Shelly Roper McCaslin
* “I can see that Jasmine is trying to give us everything she’s got, but I think her position here is sort of risky.“ – Kelli
* “Jasmine we keep making excuses for.“ – Kelli

**(7.7)**

* [Field rehearsal] “Is that Jasmine? She’s way past the lines.“ – Judy
* [Field rehearsal] “You rushed almost the entire time, and you were ahead of the yard lines.“ – Judy
* “Jasmine gets there on three and has to hold up.“ – Judy/“Now that’s a physical asset hindrance.“ – Kelli/“She’s getting there too fast.“ – Judy/ “Jasmine, you’re more than a foot ahead of Olivia. Can you feel it? You literally are going to have to just make your strides shorter. We never have to say that to anybody, but you do. You’re going to have to make baby steps, a smaller stride. Otherwise, we really have a problem.“ – Kelli
* “Jasmine is having a little bit of an off night. I think she’s really nervous. She knows that this team is going to be picked soon, so she’s panicking a little bit.“ – Judy
* “Man, she’s rushing bad.“ – Judy
* “The whole first half, you rushed really bad. It was distractingly rushing.“ – Judy
* [Talking to squad after team announcement] “Jasmine, you’re overshooting the lines.“ – Kelli

### **Season 8**

**(8.8)**

* [Game Day rehearsal] “You’re not dancing like your job’s on the line, and your job is on the line.“ – Kelli

### **Season 9**

**(9.3)**

* [During Alexandra’s office visit, she says she’s been working with Jacie, Jasmine, and Jenna] “Those are three great cheerleaders. So, you’re in good company.“ – Kelli

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* [Audition solo] “What the hell is this?“ – Kelli
* [Audition solo] “Jasmine danced and stumbled much like she did her rookie year.“ – Kelli
* [On-field] “Wow, Jasmine is off. Fell out of her turn a whole count off.“ – Kelli
* [Finals deliberation] “She was bad. It was bad.“ – Jay Johnson/“I know she’s a good cheerleader, I know she can do it. That’s why I voted for her, because I didn’t want to wake up in the middle of the night and go: God, I voted against a veteran and now I feel sick because she didn’t make it.“ – Kristi Scales
* [After Jasmine’s cut] “It’s not the same without her. We came here together and… I can hardly talk about it.“ – Danielle Marie

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 7**

**(7.3)**

* [Mid episode, first of three] Kelli asks how she’s doing, and Jasmine says she’s better after she talked to some of the veterans. Kelli asks what they discussed, and Jasmine explains that a lot of the veterans haven’t jump split before on their first night. Kelli learns from Jasmine that this was the first night she’s ever tried a jump split. Jasmine says she’s been terrified of it her whole life. Judy says it’s really no big deal; she just doesn’t want her leaving thinking that that’s going to be her breaking point, because it’s not. They know that they can develop that. Kelli says to be very studious and really watch the veterans and try to study all those really specific angles. She says that on the dance, they’ve noted several times, “Cute style, pleasant expression,” but she still thinks Jasmine can dial it up and be bigger and bolder. [Jasmine leaves] Kelli says she likes her, and Judy agrees, saying she has really good spirit.

**(7.4)**

* [End of episode, first of three] Kelli wants to talk to her because she’s starting to be a real dance risk for them. In the room, she’s probably the weakest technical dancer. Kelli tells her that Kitty Carter has dance classes and they have other local technique classes that they can recommend to her, because she has homework. But she should give herself that extra chance. Kelli doesn’t want to have to release her from the team, because she’s got a lot of other good qualities. She doesn’t want her to leave here defeated and threatened. She’s not trying to threaten; she’s trying to give her a helpful hint.

**(7.5)**

* [Mid episode, first of three, joint visit with Danielle Marie, Kitty Carter and Judy] Kitty tells them that she’s sitting in with Judy today, and tells them that they struggled a little bit today. Kitty tells Jasmine that when she’s up against the other girls, she seems to falter as far as her movements being strong and having pop. Them being Jets cheerleaders surprises her that they don’t have more pop than that. Kitty tells Danielle that her hair worries her. It almost seems like she’s preoccupied with it; she’s trying to make it move, and she’s not completing the choreography. Judy adds that it becomes distracting. Kitty adds that she was a little bit worried when Danielle kept looking to the side. She needs to learn to perform forward and just kind of see what’s going on, on each side of her, because Kitty would expect her to be pro. But what she saw tonight did not lead her in that direction. She tells Jasmine that she appears stressed, and asks what she’s thinking. Jasmine says she just gets stressed out sometimes. Jasmine mentions that when Kitty mentioned the “turn-out thing”, Jasmine was born with a club foot that naturally turns in. She’s been fighting it her whole life, and knows it’s a big issue, and she’s been trying to stop it. Kitty gives her credit, and says a lot of them have deficiencies, and that’s not going to keep her off the team. So, she shouldn’t let that be a distraction to her. Kitty says she respects Jasmine so much just to know what she’s come through. Kitty tells Jasmine to try those tears. Jasmine and Danielle are dismissed from the office, and Danielle tells Jasmine that she’s going to make her cry, as Jasmine jokes she’s a crybaby. Kitty tells them she’s here for them. [Danielle and Jasmine leave] Kitty confirms with Judy that Jasmine’s been called out several times. Judy says Jasmine’s really likeable. Kitty agrees, and says Danielle is, too, though she’s preoccupied with her hair. Kitty jokes that they should cut it off.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* Not invited back to training camp for a fourth season

## **Other**

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* Shown introducing herself to the judges at preliminaries: she’s a former Jets cheerleader
* She and Rachel Le-Ann accidentally kick each other’s legs during the kickline at semifinals
* Second-to-last shown being invited to finals
* While walking to finals with Danielle Marie, they discuss how today they will know if they are staying in Texas
* Fifth-to-last shown being invited to training camp

**(7.2)**

* Has a scene of home life with Danielle Marie prior to the second rehearsal
* She’s one of the rookies at the Verandah Club practice

**(7.3)**

* She gets pulled out of the line by Judy when they are learning the jump split, which leads to her crying

**(7.6)**

* She’s one of the rookie TCC’s that meet up at a coffee shop before rehearsal

**(7.7)**

* Judy has her and Kim repeat the entrance after they mess up the yard lines

### **Season 8**

**(8.6)**

* She falls down during the show group audition
* She’s shown singing the national anthem for show group auditions, and gets a standing ovation from some of the judges afterwards

### **Season 9**

**(9.2)**

* Before finals, Jasmine tells Alexandra to have fun

**(9.5)**

* At the Belk session, she (alongside Jinelle) models what not to wear to the airport
* Shown walking the runway at the Belk fashion show

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* She’s shown dancing while Judy gives a confessional about being disappointed in some veterans who didn’t bring it for their solo

### **Season 13**

**(13.7)**

* The show flashes back to her falling down during show group auditions (*though her face is not clearly seen*) as Melissa Rycroft introduces the injury prevention workshop

## **Misc.**

* Jasmine later appeared on *The Bachelor* and *The Bachelor in Paradise*. For more information about these appearances, go here.
* Former New York Jets Flight Crew cheerleader
* Golder State Warrior Dancer post-DCC