Erica (S9 Rookie)

* [Joint biography with Courtney, *they are practicing together in a park*] 22-years-old from Texas. Courtney mentions they are roommates, and Erica says it has been a big transition. She just graduated from Louisiana State University, where she went to dance. She danced on the Tiger Girls dance team. She was focusing on college finals, and then she was in finals the next weekend for DCC. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions. Dance is her passion, and what better stage to do it on and what better fans to perform for than the Dallas Cowboys?

## **Confessionals**

Total: 14

Season 9: 14 (T11th most)

Season 10: 0

Season 11: 0

Season 12: 0

### **Season 9**

**(9.2)**

* “My dad was a full-force dance dad. He was definitely my number one fan, so when he passed away, it was really hard to start dancing again. For a while, I was afraid to go on the floor without him being there, because I could always hear his voice in the audience cheering me on. Now I’m here auditioning for DCC. Although he isn’t here physically, I know that he’s always watching over me, and he has the best seat in the house, so…“
* “There’s a lot at stake here today at finals. My dance life is on the line here and I’m putting myself out there and trying to be the best version of myself I can be.“
* “The stamina required for the choreography and the kickline back-to-back, it’s definitely pretty intense.“
* [Invited to training camp] “I am now one step closer to the ultimate dream of becoming one of America’s sweethearts, and that’s a great feeling.“

**(9.3)**

* (*Biography*)
* [Training camp] “I really want to be perfect tonight. I’m definitely feeling the pressure. It’s kick-it-into-gear time.“
* “You know, this year’s training candidates, we’re all very good, so the bar is set really high, and one mistake could send anybody home. The competition is stiff, and it’s neck and neck at this point.“

**(9.5)**

* [Makeover] “I’m not a hair person. I will admit that firsthand. [*Flashback to Kitty Carter session*] That was a little shock to my ego and to my confidence. I’ve honestly just been waiting for that professional help.“
* “Oh my gosh, it looks so good. I love the color. Kitty, how does my hair look now?“

**(9.7)**

* “At this point in time, it’s all a mental game. You have to keep pushing because the second you break, you’re done.“

**(9.8)**

* [Makes team - squad photo] “I’m just feeling like a rock star, like pampered and getting everything glammed up and ready for photos.“
* “To uphold the reputation of America’s sweethearts, the best of the best, it’s going to be fun, but it’s definitely going to be really intense.“
* “Performing with show group for the first time, it’s an incredible feeling. A lot of nerves and adrenaline and excitement.“
* [Pre-game] “Today is the day that I get to go out there as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and just do what I love to do.“
* [First Game Day sideline confession] “Now I’m officially a part of the best team in the world. I’m one of America’s Sweethearts, and there’s no better feeling than being out here.“

## **Commentary**

### **Season 9**

**(9.2)**

* [Kitty Carter dance practice] “Fix the hair.“ – Kitty /“I’m gonna curl it for Saturday.“ – Erica/ “So, just today you decided you’re gonna curl it?“ – Kitty/“No, ma’am. I had it curled last weekend.“ – Erica/“So, why’d you show up here without curls? I mean, you don’t respect what we’re doing here?“ – Kitty
* [After solo] “That was beautiful. Your hair still sucks, but that’s was beautiful.“ – Kitty
* [After panel interview] “I want to see her dance again, because now I’m interested.“ – Kelli
* “Dang it, she’s great.“ – Kelli/“Yes.“ – Judy
* I thought Erica was a “wow” solo. She attacked the music. – K
* [Finals deliberation] “I thought the hair just turned me off, and when she got on the big screen, it just made it worse.“/“I didn’t get the hair, either./ A little teasing, that’s an easy fix. Pop some extensions in. Please!“ – Melissa Rycroft

**(9.4)**

* “I like Erica’s energy.“ – Kelli

**(9.6)**

* “Erica is great on this.“ – Kelli

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* “Some of my favorite veteran solos this year included Erica. She was sexy; she was sassy“. – Kelli

### **Season 11**

**(11.2)**

* [*Everyone in finals deliberations raises hand to bring her back*]

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 12**

**(12.11?)**

* Is either cut from or quits training camp. They didn’t air this because she sued the Cowboys for unpaid hours. (**Unaired**)

## **Other**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* She’s shown dancing at preliminaries in the segment after Judy mentions the best ones being the ones that they can see automatically in a uniform

**(9.2)**

* At panel interviews, she’s asked who she would invite to a fantasy dinner: she responds her dad – he passed away when she was 13 (*leading to a pseudobiography*). Kelli asks for a famous person, and Erica responds Justin Timberlake.
* She’s shown performing her solo while Kelli gives a confessional saying there are rookie candidates stronger than the veterans
* She’s shown being invited to training camp

**(9.3)**

* She asks Melissa Rycroft if she’ll come back to watch them (to which Melissa reveals her role as a recurring mentor)

**(9.5)**

* Makeover glamour shot, after only

**(9.7)**

* At the “girl talk” session with Melissa Rycroft, she discusses being saddened by Alexandra’s cut the previous night.

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* She’s shown performing her solo at finals

**(10.6)**

* Though not shown being announced on the show, she can be seen standing in the group of those who were selected for show group

**(10.7)**

* If you pause, you can see that she was ranked #6 at auditions

### **Season 11**

**(11.2)**

* First soloist to go at finals

**(11.3)**

* Helps Melissa Rycroft at her session
* Teaches DCC walk by saying you want to roll your shoulders like you want a boy to follow you

**(11.5)**

* Highlighted (by name) dancing for Kacey Musgraves at start of practice
* Asks Musgraves who inspired her to take her path

### **Season 12**

**(12.3)**

* Her solo performance is shown

## **Misc.**

* During some airings of the show in Season 12, Erica is announced as a group leader during the announcement scene. However, in other airings, this scene has been edited to make it seem as if they made KaShara a group leader from the start.
* She is last visible sitting with the veterans prior to the office visits at the end of episode 12.11.
* Erica Wilkins was quietly cut or quit during training camp. Almost a year later, she sued the Cowboys, for not being paid for all the hours she worked. The Cowboys organization settled out of court.