Ashley Paige

* 25-years-old, and she just finished her third season cheering with the Kansas City Chiefs. She was honored with the opportunity to cheer at this past Pro Bowl. But that doesn’t matter – she’s on an even playing field, and she finds that a little bit scary. But dancing is such a passion of hers, and she’d love to do it with such an elite organization like the Cowboys.

**(8.7)**

* She works as an information technology recruiter for a consulting firm. It was very different for her back in Kansas City. She’d go to the office in a suit. But now, she rolls out of bed and works from her kitchen. She’s been squeezing practices in during her lunch break. She got called into the office (every TCC’s worst nightmare). She started gymnastics at the age of three, and this is a new style, and she needs to adapt. She feels the pressure going into tonight’s rehearsal. Girls are asking if she wants to get together and practice at the gym for a few hours, but she doesn’t have that time: her career is a priority for her. But they never said fulfilling your goals is easy. She wants to wear that uniform and be at Cowboys Stadium cheering this fall. It would be the biggest accomplishment of her life.

## **Confessionals**

Total: 28

Season 8: 22 (T3rd most)

Season 10: 6 (T20th most)

### **Season 8**

**(8.1)**

* We’re here this morning for the first round, the preliminaries round, of the Dallas Cowboys auditions.
* When I get in front of those judges, I’m going to be so nervous. You’ve got under an hour to practice no only the dance, but the kickline, and perform it to perfection.

**(8.2)**

* I’ve heard Kitty says it like it is, and then some. So, I’m a little bit nervous.
* Biography
* I definitely feel vulnerable putting myself in this situation. Now I’m a rookie, just like everyone else here, and I have just as much to prove.
* Of course, there’s nerves, just because we want it so bad, and we’ve worked so hard for this one day, this one routine, so, a little bit of pressure.

**(8.3)**

* There’s so much unknown going into this process. I mean, any day could be your last.

**(8.5)**

* [About being called into the office] You know, I’m not the most technical dancer, and I’ve gotten some comments about being a little bit too sharp and rigid, so, I’m hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst.
* [Before office] You know, I’m not quite sure why they called me in tonight. It could be a number of things. It could be they want the chance to see how I’m adapting down in Dallas, since I am new to the area.
* [After office] Hopefully, they were able to see that I’m definitely real and I want this so bad and very much a team player.

**(8.6)**

* Tonight is a big night, so I think all of us training camp candidates are feeling the pressure. We feel cuts coming on, and they want to see these routines flawless.
* When Kitty came out on the dance floor tonight, I had flashbacks to my last encounter with Kitty. [*Flashback shown*] She was very tough on me, so I was kind of ready to take her criticism.

**(8.7)**

* You can definitely feel the tension in the air tonight. I mean, it’s do or die. One mistake could send you home, and Kelli and Judy expect perfection.
* I’m trying to come across composed, like I have it together, but inside I am a nervous wreck. I feel so sick to my stomach just with so many nerves.
* All training camp, that’s been my feedback, is, “You’re too stiff. You’re too robotic. Loosen up.” And, for the first time, I didn’t get that feedback. I was so thrilled, so hopefully they’ve noticed an improvement in me.
* [Before office] If tonight’s my last night, of course I’ll be upset. There might be some tears shed because I have put in so much work. We all have.
* [After office] I absolutely feel the pressure, because they’re wanting to see a change in my dance style in 24 hours, so I kind of feel like a miracle needs to happen.
* Biography
* Last night, we wrapped up our first field rehearsal. Time is running out, and if I don’t show improvement tonight, it absolutely could be my last night.
* I’m really nervous. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this. Hope for the best, but also prepare yourself for the worst. The nerves are kicking in more than ever.
* [About being called into the office] The last thing a training camp candidate wants is to be called into their office over and over. This will be my third time in the office. All of us training camp candidates are definitely feeling the pressure.
* [After cut] Tonight is my last night, and it’s tough, but at the same time, I know that I gave it my all and my style wasn’t right for the team, and that’s okay. [*Flashbacks*] I got to put the uniform on, wear the boots and step out on AT&T Stadium. I’ve made some great friends and learned a lot about myself. I had an incredible run in the NFL, and I get to go home and live out the great life I had before this process.

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* I got into training camp and I was one practice shy of making that team. [*Flashbacks*] To come so close to your dream, I couldn’t not try again.
* Doing the semi-finals, it’s the best feeling in the world.
* [Five names left to call] I want to be a DCC so bad. This has been a long journey and this is in my heart and even though I didn’t do great, I still deep down feel like this is where I’m meant to be.

**(10.2)**

* There’s a lot of pressure going into this dance on the field. It all comes down to this.
* [Names being called] This has been a long journey. I started two years ago. I’ve worked so hard to come back better than ever. I hope I can be a part of the team with them this season.
* I didn’t make it back into training camp, and of course I’m bummed. I’m just proud that I had the courage to show up.

## **Commentary**

### **Season 8**

**(8.2)**

* Why do you have that little yellow thing on? Is this a fashion show for you? – Kitty Carter
* See how you go [*imitates her*]? That’s just odd. How many pom teams have you done? – Kitty Carter/ I cheered with the Kansas City Chiefs for two... – Ashley/ Well, I’m not seeing that. So, you just soften some stuff and move around. – Kitty
* Wow, her eyes look beautiful. – Charlotte/ Her eyes look pretty on that board. – K
* [Finals deliberations] Great abs, I thought her blue eyes popped, but on the big screen, I lost it./ See, the big screen’s where I liked her. – K

**(8.5)**

* There’s something a little rigid still in your presentation. – K
* She has been so scripted. Yes, we need pretty girls that can perform and have great abs and blah, blah, blah, but approachability is important, and I’m not getting that warmth from her. I’m getting a shell. – K

**(8.6)**

* You just look odd when you move. This is how you’re like. [Imitates her] You’re like, your head’s screwed onto your body. – Kitty Carter
* Here’s the one you were picking on. – K/ She doesn’t have that pop. She, like, drives things like [*makes pumping motion*] that. – Kitty Carter
* My eye keeps going to you ‘cause you don’t know what count you’re on. You’ve got to be on the beat. – Kitty Carter

**(8.7)**

* You look real stiff and waddley. – J
* Ashley Paige looks uncomfortable when she’s doing our entrance, and her body just doesn’t move like our veteran cheerleaders do. – J
* Is it too stiff in the shoulders or…? – Ashley Paige/ Yeah, I mean, I think you could just loosen up. – J
* Ashley’s making lots of mistakes. – J
* There’s nothing she does wrong, but it’s not pleasant to watch. – J
* That was better use of your head and neck in this routine, and I think the choreography is forcing you because it’s actually choreographed heads. But that’s the only time I’ve seen it all summer. Mimic that in more routines. – K
* [After office visits] I’m honestly prepared to go either way with any of these three [*Ashley Paige, Kaitlyn LaRae, and Morgan Whitney*]. – K
* What is that waddle? Do you see it? She tries hard… you’re waddling a little bit still. – J
* How are Ashley Paige’s kicks? They’re clean and up there, aren’t they? – K/ Yeah, her kicks are high and placed perfectly. – J
* Did you see Ashley Paige on the step, Judy? [*Imitates her*] – K
* We’re trying to help you get out this yardstick that’s in your butt. Even when you pushed on this… Jackie do that for her– J/ Your upper body’s not… you got to lean back, pull it in. – Jackie Bob

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* [Semifinals judging] Oh, this looks like a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, and then she danced./ She was very stiff./ And the problem in training camp was being stiff. So, you’re fresh eyes and you’re saying the same thing. – J/ Absolutely the same thing.

**(10.2)**

* [Panel interview] You gotta give it to her for being able to pick herself up and keep on. – K
* Ashley’s kicks are nice.

## **Office Visits**

### **Season 8**

**(8.5)**

* [Mid episode, second of three] Kelli it’s weird because she’s a strong performer, which they been telling her. But being honest with her, she comes across as having rehearsed answers, a little contrived, a little fake. Ashley says the whole process is like an interview: you always want to put on your best foot forward. Kelli says she understands that Ashley’s putting on competitive armor (Ashley agrees). Kelli says they’re not going to war. Ashley says she was selected for Pro Bowl on the Chiefs because she was likeable, real, and people could always come to her, and she was the personality and the goofball. Kelli asks why she didn’t stay with the Chiefs and enjoy what was already more comfortable? Ashley feels like there’s one shot at life, and if there’s a dream you’ve always wanted to go for; she didn’t want to regret not going for this ten years down the road. Kelli says she has all the assets she needs to be successful in many situations, but she’s coming across like she’s ready for battle, and she has the right answers because she’s practiced them. She tells her to lighten up. [*Ashley leaves*] Kelli asks if Ashley is “all about me” or for the team, and Judy says she seems well-rehearsed with every answer, right now.

**(8.7)**

* [Mid episode, second of three] Kelli says they’ve written “stiff neck” more than she wants to say. There’s a quality that’s not fun to watch due to rigidity. Ashley says she tries so hard sometimes that she tenses up (due to a gymnast background). Kelli says this is cheerleading, and not a gym meet. Ashley says she has to show them that quickly over the next couple of days. Kelli counters that it’s presumptuous to assume that she has a couple more days. She asks what Ashley could contribute to this team. Ashley says based on past team experiences, she’s a silent leader, reaching out to teammates outside of practice, and coming early. She’d be an incredibly hard worker, always have her teammates’ backs, and she knows she’d be a great part of this team. She hopes they can see that in her. Kelli asks if she can do their style and form of delivery. She tells her to “loosen the freak up.” Ashley says she’ll show them. Kelli asks when, and Ashley responds, that she’ll be loosey and goosey tomorrow. She’ll be fun and let her personality show on the field.
* [End of episode, second of three] Kelli says it’s time to get real: she’s a beautiful and small girl. But it’s evident her style of dance is not their style of dance. Ashley feels like she’s improving. Kelli agrees with this, and isn’t saying she’s not technically capable, but just thinks it’s the style. Ashley would love the opportunity to work out some of those kinks. Kelli says she respects and doesn’t want to mislead her or drag it out. Ashley says 3-4 hours of the games is on the sidelines and interacting with fans, and that’s where she feels her strengths really lie, and wishes she could have shown them that. Kelli says they’re out of time, and she’s sorry, but tonight’s her last night. Ashley is sad she hasn’t truly gotten to live out this experience, but thinks it was incredible, and thanks them for the opportunity. [*Ashley leaves*] Judy says she liked her, and thinks every time she talked her way back every rehearsal, but then every rehearsal was the same thing. Kelli can tell she’s not getting it.

## **End of Journey**

### **Season 8**

**(8.7)**

* Final cut of the season during of week 7 of training camp (8th of 8 to leave, 39 left afterwards)

### **Season 10**

**(10.2)**

* Makes finals, but is not invited to training camp

## **Other**

### **Season 8**

**(8.1)**

* Introduces herself to the judges at preliminaries: she just finished her third season cheering with the Kansas City Chiefs
* Third to last shown being invited to finals

**(8.2)**

* Sixth to last shown being invited to training camp

**(8.3)**

* Introduces herself at the opening meeting: she’s 25-years-old and she was close to being an Olympic gold medalist… but then says not really, she only babysat one.

**(8.5)**

* While waiting for office visits, she tells the other two others that if they were meant to make this team, they’ll make this team

**(8.7)**

* When asked by Jessica Allison if she’s nervous about dancing with the boots on, she responds it’ll be tough to dance, and they’ll be sliding around
* She’s one of several shown in succession while Kelli gives a confessional rhetorically asking if they need a weak link, if they should cut their losses now

### **Season 10**

**(10.1)**

* She’s shown introducing herself to the judges at preliminaries: she’s 27-years-old.
* Third-to-last shown being invited to finals

**(10.2)**

* At panel interviews, Charlotte brings up her being from Kansas City, and going to Dallas and then back to Kansas City, and now coming back to Dallas. She asks if Ashley has an allegiance. Ashley says she was committed to trying to build her life in Kansas City, and was almost engaged to someone until that fell apart. She wants to be a DCC so badly, and would love for that dream to come true this year. Neal McCoy then asks if her ex is still in Kansas City. When Ashley confirms her is, Neal tells her to keep him there.

## **Misc.**

* During Season 10, given the shift to first names only, she is referred to only as "Ashley"
* Former Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader
* 2013 Pro Bowl representative as a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader