Amy A. (S11 TCC)

* 24-years-old from Illinois. She’s been working at a Chrysler assembly plant for the past three years, inserting carpets, car brakes, among other things, but she loves it. Everyone feels like it’s a man’s job, but she can do it, too. Her other passion is dancing. She wants to be a DCC because they are the best of the best. She’s ready to trade in her hard hat and gloves for the DCC uniform.

## **Confessionals**

Total: 39

Season 9: 6 (17th most)

Season 10: 13 (10th most)

Season 11: 20 (3rd most)

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* I want to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, I’m pretty sure more than anybody else.
* Biography
* I pray that I’m going back to semifinals this year.
* [Invited to semifinals] So, my number was all the way at the bottom of the board, so then I started screaming. Up and down, I’m just jumping. I’m so excited right now.
* [One name left to call] I’m just praying that she calls my name because I really want this more than anything.
* [Not invited to finals] I’m definitely not gonna give up on dancing. I’m not gonna give up on pursuing my dreams. I have many.

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* [Flashbacks shown] Last year I tried out for DCC and I didn’t make it to finals. I was building cars. Now I’m in customer service. Everything is totally different. I came with new hair in hopes that they would still recognize me. [*Before-and-after on screen: hair is now black and straightened, compared to her light brown hair from last year*] I absolutely see myself on that field as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
* My number was there. Last number, but that is okay because it was still on that board. And so, I’m going to semifinals.
* It was so devastating the fact that I didn’t make it to the finals last year, but this year, Kelli has to call my name. She has to.
* We really don’t have a lot of time, so I’m just going to give it the best that I have in front of the judges.
* [Five names left to call, crying] I’ve prayed that I make this team this year because it means so much to me. And I’m getting ready to marry the man of my dreams, but I can’t even pick a date because I’m also so dedicated to this. So, I hope they see that in me.
* [Makes finals] I am so happy and I am so grateful to be here. I finally did it. Four times later, but I did it. You don’t give up. You never give up on your dream.

**(10.2)**

* Apparently, I have too much of a serious face. I don’t realize that I do that, so it’s something that I’m going to have to correct because I don’t want the judges to have the wrong impression.
* I did move my life from Illinois to Texas for this. I do believe that I have what it takes to make this team, and I will prove that to them.
* I have to make all these changes just a couple days before. It’s a little scary.
* Critiques that I took from Kitty tonight, it’s tough. I don’t have time to cry. I just have to do what I have to do to make it better, so they don’t send me home.
* [Solo] Watch me. I’m about to kill it, so you can go ahead and add me to your team.
* I’m putting so much energy into my solo routine, and my top starts to slide down a little. And I’m like, “Oh gosh.”
* [Not invited to training camp] I sacrificed a lot. I moved my life here for this. But it is what it is.

### **Season 11**

**(11.1)**

* [Refresher with flashbacks] Tried out 4 years, finally made finals last year, but solo and costume weren’t what they should have been. Made the Allen American Ice Angels last year, fell in love with dancing all over again, and decided to give DCC another shot.
* [During announcement of finalists] Praying she calls my name again

**(11.2)**

* [During announcement of finalists] My life could change for the better if she calls my name. If she doesn’t, I’ll be devastated.

* Can’t put feelings into words right now… like I couldn’t even walk up [when invited for training camp] … I couldn’t even breathe. Working for this my whole life and won’t let them down

* I’m going to training camp finally!

**(11.3)**

* My name got called out. Know my kicks aren’t the highest ones, going to come back nice and limber tomorrow.

* Definitely felt some pressure last night. Brand new experience for me, and these are the big dogs, so you got to be able to keep up

* It’s just night two, just the beginning. Have to work on getting over nerves and jitters. Like they need to leave.

* [Before office visit] Tried for 5 years, doesn’t want to get cut now, especially so early

* [After office visit] I just need to relax, breathe, and know they’re on my side and not against me, and that I can do this

**(11.4)**

* At Valley Ranch. Don’t know what to expect today. Could be jump split/kickline. That’s the scary part. So, you just come on in and give all you can.

* I was not prepared for that routine. But I’m going to take it home tonight and bring it back stronger the next day.

**(11.5)**

* Walking down the runway, you want to impress the DCC alumni. You have to fill their shoes. So I have probably never been so nervous.

**(11.6)**

* [Cameos] I’m going to be out here posing for my life. I will do whatever they need me to do.

* You have to have a lot of stamina going into the kick line and then doing a jump-split at the very end. And honestly, I was a little disappointed in myself.

* [After impromptu joint office visit] Having Kitty in the room tonight is kind of scary because there’s no time to ever get comfortable.

**(11.7)**

* Tonight is our first stadium rehearsal. It’s nerve-wracking. There are still several cuts that have to be made, and it’s scary. This is going to be one heck of a ball game tonight, so we’ll see how this goes.

* You’re trying to breathe and make sure you’re pointing your toes, and kicking at the right angles, making sure you’re aiming towards your nose. There’s so many different things. One mistake can most definitely send a girl home at this point. I just do not want to be that girl.

**(11.8)**

* [Before office visit] Never felt as nervous this entire process as this moment. I’ve been working so hard for the past 5 years, and I just really pray that it continues to go in my favor.

* [After cut] This is it for me. It was fun while it lasted. I’ve done five strong years trying to give it everything I have. [Flashbacks shown] I was grateful for the experience, and that’s something that they can’t take away from me. And these girls are very lucky, the ones who are going to have such a big announcement for them. And I’m genuinely happy for everybody. It just hurts that I couldn’t be a part of it, but that’s okay. It just wasn’t in the cards for me. God has a bigger plan for me.

## **Commentary**

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* [Preliminaries judging] She auditioned last year. – K/ I gave her a maybe. – J/ I remember thinking her little face was pretty. – K
* Amy put in a good fight. She’s giving this a run and we’ll see. – K
* I want to cut her hair. – K
* [Semifinals judging] I wrote, “more energy.” I just thought she needed it. She just looked like she was just a little lazy through it. – Neil McCoy/ I know, she was better yesterday. – J/ Also, she was a very strong performer in her own choreography, and then she kind of really lost it. I thought she was messy. – Charlotte

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* Great expression. – K
* [Preliminaries judging] She’s got her cute haircut, which kind of helps a little bit of the balance of her body type. – Charlotte/ She looks a little more unique this year. – K
* [Semifinals judging] She didn’t know the combination at all. Her splits, she didn’t have them./ Well, she has short little legs. – Melissa Rycroft/ She does. And that’s what bothers me. I don’t like short legs. – K/ But she’s changing her hairstyle. I can see that she’s working at it./ I like that.

**(10.2)**

* Have you ever cheered before? – Kitty Carter/ Yes. – Amy/ Okay, you have? Alright, that face, don’t go there. That’s just that resting bitch face that nobody likes. – Kitty Carter
* Okay, you know what? You made it to finals for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and this is what you’re gonna do? So, you started off strong, and then you just swooshed straight down the drain. You looked like you were on drugs. I don’t even know what you were doing. If this is what you’re going to do Saturday, you’re going home. – Kitty Carter
* She really was just threads away from a major wardrobe malfunction. Unfortunately for her, it’s distracting for the judges. We can get so distracted by the threat of exposure, that we’re not entertained. – K
* Amy has power. – K
* [Finals deliberation] The solo was almost traumatizing./ It was really hard to watch./ The wardrobe malfunction that was happening…/ That was all I could focus on./ She would pull it back up, and I think she may have lost herself because she was so worried that… – Neal McCoy/ Besides the wardrobe malfunction, what are our “no’s” about? – K/ Kicks. – Melissa Rycroft/ Kicks./ They’re low and her legs are short./ I liked her interview. I wrote, “I want her dance to be great to make the team.”

### **Season 11**

**(11.1)**

* [Semis] Gave her a check on showmanship, figure, and routine – K

* Looks like DCC to me/Doesn’t look too buff or too masculine. Done what we’ve asked, changed hair, softened make-up, leaned out her bulk – K/ If she’s gone that far, she wants it/ I’ll give her an A+ on determination – K

**(11.2)**

* I think she has a nice field presence. – K

* Please. She has worked so hard and done everything asked of her. I love her story and persistence.

* Amy gets my “never give up award.” Curious how the other judges see her, but I think she’s given us everything she can. – K

* I kept wanting more from her (power/pizzazz) – Romo/Do you think if we take her into camp, she won’t lose steam? – K

**(11.3)**

* How’s Amy? Is she as tight as a tick? – K

* I’d like to see some great improvement in your kicks. – J

* Is Amy going to struggle this much every night? – K

* You’re struggling. I’m hoping for you that’s not an everyday thing. – K/ I think you’re just psyching yourself out. – J

* Your kicks are still low. – K

* Amy is going to struggle tonight – J

* [Yes or no’s] On that dance I’d give you a “no” because you did not have that dance at all, so I’m expecting good things from the next dance – K

* Alright Amy, you’re going to have to save yourself here – K [*Amy subsequently messes up, and Kelli makes a face*]

* [Yes or no’s] You got up to a "maybe" on that dance. Your smile is your asset, so keep that going. You definitely kind of started fumbling. – K

* [End of show commentary] Amy’s fragile, her anxiety about being cut could get the best of her. She just needs to dance with all of the passion that has been bundled up inside of her for 5 years of auditions. – K

**(11.4)**

* *[Amy messes up – Kelli and Judy make face to each other]*

* When you turned around, I could tell from your body language ‘Oh my gosh.’ You need to fake it better. You do not know it very well. – J

**(11.5)**

* I really noticed Amy. From the beginning I thought you were strong. – Musgraves

* [Fashion show] She didn’t give her last look. She just ran off the stage. – J

* I have to admit, it looks like Amy’s having fun. – K/ Yeah. – J

* Little bit better, Amy. – J

**(11.6)**

* [Cameos] She does have pretty skin. – K

* I think Amy’s photogenic, she has a beautiful smile, she has really pretty eyes. She’s actually more photogenic than I thought. – K

* Something’s not in sync, because standing next to Jessika, her kicks are so pretty, and yours are so tight. – J

* So far Kelsey, Amy, and Celinda are concerning me tonight. And at this point I need to start making decisions on who will make this team. – K

* Lots of mistakes. You have great energy, you have great power, but you’ve got to clean up those mistakes. – J

* I think Amy just looks odd. – Kitty Carter

* I take back saying you’re the most powerful dancer because you didn’t do that powerful like you normally do. – J

* Once you get her airborne, she’s done. – Kitty Carter/ Amy’s been noticed in a positive way by a lot of people. – K/ I like Amy. She took my classes. I do not see her in the DCC uniform. I think she’s not the finished product. – Kitty/ She’s more finished than Allie. – K/ No. – Kitty

* [After joint office visit] I wouldn’t say either of them failed them. – K/ No, I wouldn’t either. They both look better in person up close than from far away.

**(11.7)**

* Amy and Emily concern me… and Amy is a little bit of a casualty. I know; I see it. – K

* You’re going like six yards, and I don’t know how your short legs are making it six yards. You’re going to have to figure out your pacing, because it’s really off. – J

* You’re a different person on the sidelines than you are traveling across the field. – K

* Look how she wants to be out there. – Pickler/ Yeah, she’s bright. – K/ She looks like she wants to be out there. – Pickler

* Amy’s left is petering out, Judy. – K

* Your kicks aren’t up to your face. They’re not as high as some of the others, and I think I’ve told you that before. – J

* You missed the yard. Could you tell? You weren’t quite there yet. – J

* Amy and Brennan are still making mistakes. – K

* [Judy says Kyndall is weak, but still stronger than Amy] But I like Amy. But she’s the hardest one for me. I mean her kicks were so bad tonight. I feel like we’ve scared the [expletive] out of her. – J/ Do you want to fight for her, Judy? – K [Judy doesn’t respond]

* We’ve got Kelsey, Kyndall, and Amy on the bubble, and they’ve got such strong qualities. – K [End of episode confessional]

**(11.8)**

* [Flashback to an unaired practice] Her right leg looks lower. Amy get your right leg higher. – K

* Judy and I have now studied the film, and we have some concerns with Kyndall, Kelsey, Amy, and Yuko. – K

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 11**

**(11.3)**

* [End of episode, 3rd of 3 called in] Kelli compliments her hair and her transformation, and says even if she doesn’t make team, she should be proud. Amy thinks she just has to get over the nerves, and that these are long dances, and she’s never had to do that before. Kelli says that they are going to teach long routines every night, and that’s not going to change. Also, her kicks need to be higher. [*Amy starts crying*] Kelli says she probably not going to like what she’s going to say. [*Commercial break*] Amy apologizes for getting so emotional, that’s she’s finally getting opportunity to prove herself, and trying so hard to not get inside her head. Kelli tells her to pause, and says she’s earned this opportunity. Applauds and appreciates her doing so much for these 5 years. Says she wasn’t the highest kicks in the room, but wasn’t the lowest. Kelli says that Judy said she has moments of power, and she also has great showmanship. Now she just needs to perform. Kelli will be sad too if her nerves get the best of her, and hopes her dream comes true.

**(11.6)**

* [Improvised joint office visit with Allie before end of episode] Kelli asks Amy outside of DCC, what she does. Amy says dancing and practicing routines. Kitty Carter tries to confirm that she's not working right now. Amy says not looking for a job at the moment so she can commit her full attention to this. Kelli asks Allie what she’s doing. She’s decided to become a dentist and is going to apply to dental school next spring to start in the next fall. Kitty asks how DCC fits into that. Allie’s always loved science – always been something she’s been good at. Also loved to dance and always wanted to dance professionally. Looking to be there long-term. Kelli asks if she didn’t make it past training camp this year, would she try out again. Allie says yes. Asks Amy the same question, and Amy says she doesn’t know. Kelli asks how old she is, and Amy says 27. They acknowledge it’s her 5th year. [*Amy starts to cry*] Amy doesn’t even like having these thoughts in her head. They ask her what team she was on last year – she says Ice Angels. Kelli says everything is okay, and they just wanted to talk, and dismisses them.

**(11.8)**

* [Start of episode, only one called in before practice] Amy is scared. Kelli says she’ll just cut to it. After studying everybody closely, they have concerns about her flexibility, which shows up in her kicks and jump splits. And concerns about some of the sequence and memory in the dances. Kelli doesn’t think she’s game ready. They are simply out of time and it kills her it has to come to this. Amy begs her not to. Kelli says they’ve made the decision and it’s final and she’s so sorry. [*Amy starts crying*] Amy begs them not to give up on her. Kelli denies they are giving up, but Amy says they are. She’s left so much and changed her life so much for this. She can’t let them send her home. Kelli says they have proven great things to them. They’ve been most impressed by her character, drive, determination, progress. She’s shown them a lot and does have moments. But 38 other girls do as well, and some are stronger and that’s the reality. Don’t think she’s game ready, and tonight's going to be her last night. Amy says it’s hard to say goodbye, apologizes and says this is so heart-breaking, getting cut when you know they’re about to announce the team. To do this on the last day… Judy says her getting cut on the last day was because they were hoping for her and fighting for her. Wanting it to come, but they’re just out of time. Amy says she understands. Kelli can’t say how impressed she’s been with her throughout whole audition process. And she should be very proud of herself. Appreciates everything. Amy says she hope she calls her tonight to say they’ve changed their mind. Apologizes again, and hugs both of them, and thanks them and leaves.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* Makes it to semifinals but is not invited to finals

### **Season 8**

**(8.1)**

* Makes it to semifinals but is not invited to finals

### **Season 9**

**(9.1)**

* Makes it to semifinals but is not invited to finals

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* Makes finals, but is not invited to training camp

### **Season 11**

**(11.8)**

* Cut on the final night of training camp (9th out of 10 cuts)

## **Other**

### **Season 7**

**(7.1)**

* Shown briefly rehearsing the dance routine prior to semifinals
* Shown seated with the other semifinalists as finalists are called

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* Last one shown being invited to finals

**(10.2)**

* When Kitty Carter emerges at the pre-finals session, she tells Amy that she looks like she’s seen a ghost
* At panel interviews, she’s asked what it would be like to wear the uniform. She asks if they know how many times she’s practiced her pose for the uniform.
* She’s shown being introduced by Kelli for her solo, which she then performs (and has a near-wardrobe malfunction)

### **Season 11**

**(11.1)**

* Shown dancing in prelims after Romo mentions wanting to see people who were born to be a dancer

* Shown dancing in semis after Kelli mentions dancers making them go “Wow”

* 4th to last invited to finals

**(11.2)**

* Panel interviewers brings up that it’s her 5th year trying out

* Last one shown invited to training camp (Kelli does so by saying “after five years of trying”)

**(11.3)**

* Has one on one conversation with Melissa Rycroft at session, tells her she’s done both dance and cheer

**(11.6)**

* Final cameo shot shown on screen

* Stated as one of four obvious cuts at start of discussion with Kitty Carter

* Shown dancing at ending confession when Kelli is talking about people in danger

**(11.7)**

* One of 5 picked to perform again at end of practice

## **Misc.**

* Only one to have a confessional in every episode of Season 11
* Golden State Warriors Dancer post-training camp
* Former Allen Americans Ice Angel