Mackenzie Lee

Total: 53

Season 6: 36 (3rd most)

Season 7: 11

Season 8: 6 (20th most)

* You know, we learned the choreography on the field, but this is our first time performing there. Being seen on the big screen’s definitely intimidating.
* When you’re five-two and you’re next to a beautiful girl that’s five-ten and she can kick her nose, and you can’t, it’s easy to see that you’re not quite up to par.
* Luckily, the person next to me just pulled me right down to the splits.

**(6.3)**

* [Apartment scene] Home sweet home. I can’t believe it’s been four days since finals. It’s gone by so quickly. When Kelli called my number and name, it definitely took me a minute to realize it was me she was calling. It was very exciting. While we were standing up there, all the training camp candidates, it started to register in my head, “okay, I have to move her now and find a place to live.
* [Apartment scene] There’s a lot of adjustment when it comes to making it to training camp, especially because it’s not a guarantee. Veronica and I will definitely be stretching and working out and practicing every night.
* [Apartment scene] Training camp is kind of a huge concern. Just sort of knowing that I can go home any day.
* [About office visit] When Kelli called my name, I was definitely disappointed. You know, nobody wants to be called into the office. Especially not on the first night that they’re calling people in. I hope that they won’t cut girls tonight.
* [Before office] I’m definitely very nervous and anxious and just ready to go in and find out what they have to say.
* [After office] Because I’m so short, I’d be at the end of the kick line, which is even more crucial, so I’m definitely worried that I won’t be able to gain the flexibility, but I’m definitely going to try my hardest.

**(6.4)**

* The kick line’s definitely something I’ve been dreading and I’ve known it was coming, and I’ve just been hoping it would come later instead of sooner.
* Watching the veterans was both intimidating and inspiring. You sort of look at what they’re doing and think, could I ever do that? But it is inspiring because at one point they were just like us and they didn’t know the kick line.
* [Uniform fitting] They know how to pull and tug and make everything fit right. And it’s kind of like a whirlwind.
* Last week during training camp, Kelli and Judy called me into their office and talked to me about my kicks. So, I’m doing everything I can to get them to where they need to be. One of the veterans, Brittany Evans, she’s small like me and she’s a great kicker, so I thought she might have some advice.
* Having someone with four years of experience come and help me really means a lot.
* I’m really glad I called Brittany. She was just really encouraging. I feel like she really believes in me, so it was really nice to have her in here and too learn all of her little tricks.

**(6.6)**

* They said that my kicks had improved a little, which is good, because I have been working on them a lot, so it’s nice to know that what I’ve been doing is working at least a little.

**(6.7)**

* Today, I need to show Kelli and Judy that I can kick, and also that I’m a powerful enough dancer to hold my own on the field. We know every night could be our last, but this really, really could be my last night, so I’m just nervous.
* [Kick line] I think this is a pretty big moment for all of us, but I think I might be more scared than anyone else.
* [About being called into the office] I’d be really sad if tonight were my last night.
* [Before office] I definitely feel like I’ve tried my hardest. I know that I’ve improved, so I’m proud of that, and it’s just up to Kelli and Judy to know if I’ve improved enough.
* [After office] It’s terrifying, especially right now, to be called in. I feel a little bit of relief because I’m not going home tonight, but I know there’s no promise that will last beyond Monday, so I’ll definitely spend this whole weekend working on my flexibility and hoping that it can be there on Monday.

**(6.8)**

* Today, I’m at Advanced Bodyworks and Massage. I’ve been working with one of the trainers here, Yvette. She’s been helping me to loosen up my hamstrings and hip flexors. It’s frustrating knowing that my kicks are holding me back, but it is nice to know that it is something that I can work on, and so I’ve just been doing that as much as I can.
* Flexibility has never been my strong suit, but it’s never really mattered until now.
* I’m ready to go to practice tonight. I am all stretched out and ready to go.
* It’s a pretty important night for me, because the last time we saw each other, Kelli and Judy told me that my kicks basically needed to improve over the weekend or else, so hopefully I’ve done that.
* Kelli and Judy just told us that we’re going outside to the practice field. It’s like 107 degrees outside, and I’m terrified.
* I feel like when we’re doing the kick line, everyone’s staring at me, and they’re just waiting for me to mess up. So, hopefully, that’s not the case.
* It’s really hard to tell, especially without the mirrors, if I’m kicking high enough. Um, especially in this big space, it’s just, it’s really hard to tell. I hope I am doing well enough.
* Kelli and Judy said that they want to talk to a few people inside. Hopefully I won’t be one of those people.
* It’s really weird to see our lockers and everything. I sort of always dreamt about it but never really pictured it.
* It’s not hard to pose for that long, but you do get kind of antsy, I guess.
* I wasn’t even sure if I would be on this team last night, and then today, I’m getting to wear the uniform and pose with the rest of the team. It’s just amazing.
* It’s 2 o’clock right now, and the game’s at 7:30, so we will get to the stadium, we’ll do a run-through. Sometimes, your adrenaline and everything gets crazy once you get out onto the field, so I don’t really know what to expect from that, but I do feel prepared.
* This definitely makes it feel a lot more official. It’s our first game, we have our own space and our own picture of us in the uniform. It definitely feels like it’s the real deal.
* I know as soon as I see the crowd, I’m gonna freak out.
* I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like this before. I don’t think so.
* [Flashbacks interspersed] My whole life, I hope I would be here, but I was never sure. It has been really long. It’s been fun and exciting, but it’s been pretty hard. To be here today means really the world to me, and I’m just excited to be dancing at my first game.

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* [With Jennifer Alexis] Today, we are at the preliminary round of tryouts and my friend Jennifer flew here all the way from DC. We danced in college together, so we’re excited for maybe the opportunity to do that again. [*Mackenzie hugs Jennifer*] Good luck!

**(7.2)**

* I feel like we’re starting over again. It’s weird.

**(7.5)**

* [Bowling, with Brittney Schram and Emma Mary] While this is a bonding activity, we’re also going to be competing.
* [Bowling] Anything with a ball or any hand-eye coordination I’m terrible. I’ve reached a new low.

**(7.9)**

* Now that we’ve tried on all of our suits and practiced all of our poses, we’re ready to go. So, Mexico, watch out.
* I just got to do a really fun shoot. I got to pose with that bicycle back there in this really fun, colorful bathing suit. It’s really fun for me, because it felt a lot more like my personality, a lot more natural than kind of rolling around in the sand.
* The last shots that I took were right over there in that shower. Luckily, it was not as cold as I was expecting it to be. I wouldn’t say that I really felt sexy while I was doing it. I was sort of concentrating on, “This is how hard you have to pull,” and try and smile and open your eyes and suck in at the same time.
* It was the most overwhelming amount of fog I’ve ever seen. And that, mixed with the bright lights, we couldn’t see anything. And Kelli was crouched down on the ground, trying to look through the curtains to see the girl out on the runway. We really couldn’t see anything.
* My favorite section of the fashion show was the country section. We wore cowboy boots. It was a nice way to tie in the Cowboys and a cool little way to bring Texas to Mexico.
* I would never have guessed during our morning rehearsal that the show would have turned out the way it did. A lot of us had no idea what to expect, and sort of no idea how everything would come together, and it definitely did.

**(7.11)**

* We just made it back to the locker room. We have just a couple of minutes to change and regroup and get ready for halftime. It is kind of chaotic because it’s constant hustle, a lot of pieces, and the dance has a lot of pieces, so I’m trying to get everything straight in my head and on their body.

### **Season 8**

**(8.4)**

* [With guest choreography, Jordan Johnson] It was fun, no matter what. You know, got to do something a little new.

**(8.6)**

* I’ve tried out for show group before, actually, and I have not made it, so I’m gonna try again and hopefully, maybe this’ll be my year. Show group is kind of a team within our team. I mean, I like to refer to it as the “A-team.”
* We have so many things that we’re showing and so many places we can mess up.
* [Makes show group] This is something that I’ve wanted for a really long time, and I’m on it!

**(8.8)**

* One person just being off a couple of inches to the right or left can ruin the whole image of the show.
* The energy in the building was amazing. It was awesome to see how many of our family and friends came out. It was completely packed and so much fun.

## **Commentary**

### **Season 6**

**(6.2)**

* I don’t know if 61 can get [her kicks] up, but I think she’s worth a gamble at training camp. – J
* [Finals deliberations] Seemed like her kicks were low./ I wrote that down./ I mean, because I had everything else pretty strong except that./ She was my favorite for the past three weeks up until I saw her on the field. And I lost her there. It swallowed her./ It’s just too big of a place for her./ Yep./ Sure see the beauty in her, that’s for sure. – K/ She’s very, very pretty.

**(6.3)**

* Her right kick was low and tight… and her left kick was low and tight. – K
* Mackenzie is going to be tough. She has short legs and tight kicks. And we may not be able to change that in this short amount of time. – K
* Mackenzie is beautiful and she’s powerful. – J
* Who’s beautiful? – K/ Mackenzie. – J/ She’s a doll and she loves this down low to the ground. – K/ She’s short-legged. It’s a shame. – J/ Because this stuff she’s good at. – K/ Very good. – J
* Very fun to watch. – K

**(6.4)**

* Her little kicks are… she’s trying to be so precise. – K/ They look a teeny-weeny bit higher. I’m wishing, I know. – J/ We’re both wishing. – K
* Mackenzie Lee has very, very tight kicks. I don’t know if we can remedy that in this amount of time. – K
* I’m really proud of you. Just keep working really hard. And I know that you’re going to do it and I’ll see you at practice tonight. Just keep up the good work. – Brittany Evans

**(6.5)**

* Mackenzie knows this more like some of our veterans. – K
* Angela and Mackenzie, y’all are so powerful. You make everybody want to watch you. – J

**(6.6)**

* Mackenzie’s [kicks] are still too tight. – J
* Mackenzie, you are in the split, so that shows us that you can split, but somehow you don’t have the strength to get… your legs are just so tight. – J/ And if you can do those splits, then you can over time get flexibility. – K/ There’s improvement, though, I can tell that. – J

**(6.7)**

* I’m looking at Mackenzie. – K/ Wow! Her kicks look better. If she’d point. – J/ Her pace is okay. – K/ Yeah. – J/ At least she’s on the beat. – K
* Point your toes. Your feet look flexed. – K
* Your straight kicks were higher. – J

**(6.8)**

* Mackenzie’s willing to do what it takes to make the team. I know a lot of girls wouldn’t be willing to go this far. – Massage therapist
* If Mackenzie or Kamilah seem alarmingly lost or concerning on the kicks, then I think there will be some cuts tonight. – K
* Still on our radar tonight is Mackenzie. We need to see, one more time, if her kicks have improved. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we just need to see improvement. – J
* Where’s Mackenzie? Her left looks, not bad and if you’re in front of her she’s got a… it’s a tight coming down. – J/ It’s real quick coming down. – K/ She can’t let her body thrust over at all. – J
* Mackenzie, on your release, try to extend yours. Yours are coming down too quickly that it makes them look snappier. Do whatever, try to extend that a little bit, delay it. – K

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* I think those kicks are horrible on Kali. – J/ If you had problems with Mackenzie, you’re gonna have more problems. – Charlotte

**(7.3)**

* [To Ashley Marie] You’re next to Kali and she’s kind of a power dancer and Mackenzie’s in my view and so you got two little dynamites over here and you got to keep it up. – K

### **Season 8**

**(8.4)**

* Mackenzie kind of nailed it. – K

**(8.6)**

* [Show group deliberations] No matter what setting you put her in, she’s going to perform it to its fullest. – Jordan Johnson/ She’ll stand out. – DJ Guthrie/ But in her solo, I was like, “Oh! Oh! Oh!” – Audrea Cowan

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 6**

**(6.3)**

* [End of episode, third of three] Kelli says they think she’s great to watch and has effortless showmanship. Their big concern is her kicks are tight and low. They wish they could just have her do everything but the kick line, but they can’t. Mackenzie says she’s stretching a lot and almost feels like she’s getting tighter because of it. Kelli wants to know about her stretching regimen, and Mackenzie says she doing splits for thirty minutes and doing cushions. Kelli seems satisfied that she’s trying, and says she doesn’t want to give her false hope, since it is a real concern. And it’s ridiculous and thinks she’s great in every part of their spreadsheet. Mackenzie gets a little teary, and Kelli apologizes for making her cry, and Mackenzie says she just cries. Kelli says they aren’t giving up on her, because she has great performance potential. But there is a distinct difference between her kicks and everyone else on the squad. [*Mackenzie leaves*] Kelli says she’s so sweet and pretty (Judy agrees) and says it’s not fair for her. Judy says she’s not the total package.

**(6.7)**

* [End of episode, fifth of five] Kelli tells her they’re at the same place. They think she’s adorable. She likes her show, performance, routines, and style. Judy says attitude is a big part of this team, and thinks she came in the first day with a great attitude. Kelli says it says a lot that this team is pulling for her; this team is full of women who are trying to make it themselves. Kelli says her kicks are not where they need to be. She doesn’t think she’s ready for their kick line. Kelli asks how she feels physically. Mackenzie says she does feel like it’s getting better. At the beginning of camp, she wasn’t sure how they could possibly stretch anymore. And now she feels like they have improved and feels like they could continue to. She’s been working on it a lot and has been seeing a physical therapist. She’s says she’s not one to be complacent, and promises if she were given the opportunity, she would do her best to continue to improve. Kelli says she’s stood tall and stood proud, and she’s withstood a lot of pressure. They’re in a dilemma with her: they want her on the squad, but sometimes her legs aren’t allowing her the looseness that she needs. Kelli tells her good night, and says they’ll see her more flexible on Monday. Mackenzie thanks them for giving her the time; she’s promises she’ll work on it. Judy says she knows she will. [*Mackenzie leaves*] Judy says she has the most adorable laugh, and Kelli says she’s beautiful and has a great personality.

## **Other**

### **Season 6**

**(6.1)**

* Shown being invited to finals

**(6.2)**

* She’s shown being invited to training camp

**(6.3)**

* Moves into a new apartment with Veronica Ann

**(6.4)**

* Has one-on-one session trying to improve her kicks with Brittany Evans

**(6.7)**

* After Alex is cut, and is leaving the office Mackenzie (who is waiting for her office visit) mentions Alex looks sad. Alex says she got cut, and the two hug, as Mackenzie tells Alex she did a good job.
* After her office visit, she tells the cheerleaders waiting outside that she’s okay for today, and they scream and run up to hug her (more than the typical scene)

**(6.8)**

* At the start of the episode, there is a scene of her going to a massage/physical therapy center to stretch out her legs
* She’s shown looking at her locker room photo, which is then highlighted

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* At panel interviews, she’s asked to name a Dallas Cowboys running back: she correctly responds DeMarco Murray.
* Shown being invited to training camp

**(7.5)**

* She is part of the “Party Animals” with the other Group 3 veterans for the bowling outing (Emma Mary, Katy Marie, Mia Greenhouse, Sydney Durso)

**(7.11)**

* Jennifer Alexis moves in with her and Brittney Schram as part of Jennifer’s biography

### **Season 8**

**(8.6)**

* Shown being announced as a member of show group