Shelbi

* Born and raised in Texas. She’s performed in competitive cheerleading since she was 4, winning two world championships. They only had to learn and practice one routine. Training camp is harder than she expected. They’ve learned 20 dances so far, and she struggles with her memory. It’s frustrating hearing her name called for memory mistakes. She’s giving this her total effort. She’s dreamed of becoming a DCC her whole life. It requires a ton of work. She practices at least four hours each day. She’d be devastated if she didn’t make the team and would reevaluate if she wants to stop dancing.

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* Everyone’s doing last minute touch-ups. It’s kind of nerve-wracking. I’m excited to get out there and get it done.
* I’ve put my heart and soul into becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and this is all I want. So, everything’s on the line at this point.

**(10.3)**

* Last night, I felt like I was kind of chasing the choreography. So today, I did take paid time off from my full-time job to be here with Melissa, so that tonight I can go in and just show them that I can keep up.
* The feedback was really positive from Melissa. And to know that she’s rooting for me, really helped with my confidence.
* Tonight is the second night of training camp. I just want to show Kelli and Judy that I did practice the material, and I don’t want to hear my name called tonight.
* The nerves definitely got to me, and it’s so intimidating being in front of them. Hopefully, I can get it together out there.

**(10.4)**

* It’s week two of training camp. Unfortunately, you never know when it could be a cut night, so every night is really important. It’s like auditioning over and over again for your spot. So, it puts a lot of pressure on us rookies.

**(10.5)**

* Biography
* We are here at Belk today. We are walking the runway for the first time, which is really exciting.
* Going into rehearsal tonight, I definitely feel anxiety because more cuts will be made. Everyone’s feeling the heat, everyone’s feeling the pressure, and we definitely have to bring our best if we want to stay here.

**(10.6)**

* It’s week six of training camp, and going into the rehearsal tonight, I’m nervous. This rehearsal could either make or break me. To not make this team would be absolutely devastating and it would be heartbreaking.
* I have been struggling with memory mistakes. You have to remember all the steps, all the heads, all the turns. It was really scary tonight.
* [Before office] I’m praying to God that tonight’s not my last night. I mean, I sacrificed everything. I quit my job. So, it would be devastating.
* [After cut] I did just get cut from training camp, which is so disappointing. This journey has been incredible for me. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s a huge growing experience, and I’m so grateful for that. Obviously, it feels like the end of a dream, but I think it’s definitely going to motivate me. I got this far on my own, and I’m definitely going to be back.

## **Commentary**

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* She’s got nice HD appeal, beautiful. – K

**(10.3)**

* Lots of mistakes. You’re trying so hard. You’re just going to have to work hard, and you can do it. – J
* [Shelbi talks about struggles with full-time job] I was a nine-to-fiver, too. The second you get off work, head up to the dance studio. You need to go into practice and not think, “Who’s looking at me? Are my toes pointed? Are they this? How are they reacting?” Just be you. You got here because you’re you. You just don’t want to lose your opportunity to go any further by cutting yourself off. – Melissa Rycroft/ If they give me that chance, I’ll make them so proud. – Shelbi
* Shelbi’s all over the place. – J/ I can’t watch her. – K
* You were a mess and it was all over the place. You’ve got to be able to learn quickly and be able to perform it. – J

**(10.4)**

* You were all over the place. I’m afraid if you were to have to do it by yourself, I don’t know that you could’ve gotten through that dance. – J

**(10.5)**

* Judy, you’re not sold on Shelbi? – K/ No, she makes one mistakes after another. – J
* Lots of little mistakes. I don’t think you realize when you’re making mistakes, and you’re making a lot. We need to clean things. – J
* [Fashion show] See, I think Shelbi has confidence. – K
* Shelbi looked pretty on the runway. She did better than she does in the dance studio. – J
* You still look lost. Your looks are not helping you. – Kitty Carter
* Y’all are confusing me about Shelbi. – K/ She needs to go. – Kitty Carter/ I think she has great moments. When I look at her and she knows what she’s doing… – Melissa Rycroft/ Are you for real? – J/ Bring her in. Because I’m not getting what y’all are getting out of her. – K
* I like Shelbi. She’s a girl that I’m gonna fight for. I think she has great potential. I think she’s intelligent. I think she’s beautiful. I think she’s all in her head. – Melissa Rycroft
* Shelbi hasn’t seemed to concern me as much as she has Kitty, and I’m not giving up on her yet. – K

**(10.6)**

* Shelbi’s rushing. – K
* You look out of control. You need private lessons fast because your weight is all wrong. – J
* [Show group auditions] Shelbi’s lost. Lost! – Kitty Carter
* Shelbi’s lost, but she commits. – J
* [Judy asks her to do a move, and she does] Right there! Where’s your weight? Step wider legs. A little bit wider. That’s the kind of things we keep telling you that you’re doing wrong, and then you go back to doing it the wrong way. – J

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 10**

**(10.5)**

* [Impromptu office visit with Kelli, Judy, Kitty Carter, and Melissa Rycroft towards end of episode] Kelli says they just want to talk to her. Kitty asks her background in cheerleading. Shelbi says she’s done competitive cheerleading. She auditioned last year, and when she saw some of her good friends make the team, it really hit home for her. When asked, she mentions Ashley P., Caila, and Breelan, while adding that Mallory was on her team. Shelbi feels like she has the same kind of potential, so seeing them make the squad… [*Shelbi gets emotional*] They tells her this is a happy meeting, and they just want to get to know her. [*Shelbi leaves*] Kelli says she’s a pressure cooker waiting to explode, and Kitty adds that she’s very competitive.

**(10.6)**

* [Mid episode, second of two] Kelli says Shelbi’s been continuing to have memory ad sequencing mistakes. Judy adds that what’s shown them won’t work in a game. Shelbi promises she’ll work harder than everyone else out there; she wants this so badly. She’s worked so hard and gotten so far that she can almost taste it. Kelli says she seems too intense about things, and suggests she back down a little bit, and try to enjoy it or make it seem she’s having fun (with which Judy agrees). [*Shelbi leaves*] Kelli says she’s gone back and forth on her.
* [End of episode, third of three] Kelli’s very impressed with how hard she works, how diligent, and how dedicated she’s been through training camp. She knows it’s tough and a stretch on personal and dance skills. Right now, she’s chasing the choreography, and it’s a bit of a struggle, which that can see on her face. Shelbi knows she can do this. [*Commercial break*] Kelli doesn’t think her technical background or style of dance is ready for the squad this year. [*Shelbi gets teary*] Shelbi asks if there’s nothing she can do? Kelli doesn’t want her to leave discouraged, and thinks she has an opportunity to return stronger. Shelbi says she definitely will, and thanks them.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* She makes it to semifinals but isn’t chosen for finals

### **Season 10**

**(10.6)**

* Cut at the end of week six of training camp (7th of 12, 39 left afterwards)

### **Season 11**

**(11.2)**

* She makes it to finals but isn’t chosen for training camp

## **Other**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* Shown seated with other semifinalists

### **Season 10**

**(10.3)**

* Melissa Rycroft pulls her aside from the Verandah Club practice for a one-on-one conversation. There, Shelbi discusses her fears about memory, and that she works full-time, so she can’t easily come in 30 minutes before rehearsal and perfect it. She says she might quit her job. Melissa says she had a full-time job in training camp, as well.

**(10.4)**

* At uniform fittings, when Kelli asks her about her job, Shelbi reveals she quit her job to have more time to practice, much to Kelli’s surprise
* She’s one of three TCC’s (along with Madeline and Rose) shown receiving criticism while Kelli gives her end of episode confessional

**(10.5)**

* Makeover glamour shot (before and after): minimally darker and wavier?
* If you pause, you can see a list of the scores she received at auditions: she was ranked #32 and received 10 yeses, 2 maybes, and 4 no’s

## **Misc.**

* Dallas Mavericks Dancer post-training camp
* Former Texas Stars Dancer