1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: This is the most dramatic podcast ever and iHeartRadio podcast. 2 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 1: Chris Harrison coming to you from the home office in Austin, Texas. 3 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: And this is a very Texas heavy show today because 4 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:19,640 Speaker 1: my guest Melissa Rycroft Strickland, and I know what you're thinking, Yeah, 5 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: from The Bachelor and that crazy switch moment with Jason Mesnick. 6 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: If you have not listened to episode one with Melissa, 7 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: go back, because we dove into all of everything that 8 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: happened with her on season thirteen to The Bachelor with 9 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: Jason Mesnick and the switch with Molly and the drama 10 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: and every detail details I didn't even know. It was 11 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: really great to hear her side of things, her perspective, 12 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: and it brought up old memories for me. That's one 13 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: of the things I always love about talking to, especially 14 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: people who are on the show a while ago. They 15 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: bring up memories I've kind of forgotten because there was 16 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: just so many seasons, but they really spark these memories 17 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 1: and moments and life. So I love revisiting those. And 18 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: so that conversation with Melissa you got to listen to 19 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: because it really was the most dramatic moment in Bachelor history. 20 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: It really was It changed my life, It changed the show, 21 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: It changed the trajectory of the entire franchise, especially when 22 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: she said no to becoming the Bachelorette. So go listen 23 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 1: to that. But today I wanted to talk about what 24 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 1: we really knew Melissa for when she came on the show. 25 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: She was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Melissa was a dancer 26 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: in college and got out of college and in two 27 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: thousand and six to two thousand and eight, she was 28 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:40,320 Speaker 1: a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Very famous, very popular cheerleader in Dallas, 29 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: and obviously the Cowboy cheerleaders are world famous. So she 30 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: comes on the show and she is, you know, America's sweetheart. 31 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: This beautiful young lady who's a Cowboys cheerleader just fit 32 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: the mold perfectly to be on the Bachelor to find love. 33 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: But I never dove into her being a Cowboys cheerleader 34 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: until now because it has become such a hot topic. Obviously, 35 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: there was the original reality show that was on CMT 36 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: about making the Team. But now, and if you haven't 37 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: seen this, you got to go see the Netflix special 38 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. This is a full documentary 39 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: that follows them, and it is really inside stuff, and 40 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: it really does pull back that fourth wall, and you're 41 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 1: hearing and seeing things I did not think we would 42 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: ever hear and see. So I wanted to go to 43 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: someone who's been in the trenches and is still involved 44 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 1: with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. She still helps him from 45 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: time to time and is a part of the organization. 46 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:41,359 Speaker 1: So I wanted to do just a show about Melissa 47 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: and the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. So we talked all about 48 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: your time on The Bachelor and everything that happened. But 49 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 1: I want to get back to the two years before 50 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: you were on the show. You were a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. 51 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:58,119 Speaker 2: I was a flipping Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. I see. 52 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: By the way, I still have the picture. I love 53 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: the picture of you as a cheerleader. 54 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: Oh boy, what it is? 55 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: It's adorable. No, you're damn adorable. Look at this. I'm 56 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: going to hold it up in this like like, look. 57 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 2: At this, don't it. 58 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 1: I looked so little, you were so little. 59 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:18,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, So funny story about you know when we talked 60 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 2: about Bachelor, the reason I went on I was going 61 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 2: through a breakup. I actually became a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader 62 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 2: going through a breakup as well. I had been in 63 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 2: a seven year relationship that had ended right as I 64 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: was graduating college. It was devastated, obviously, seven years when 65 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: you're twenty one is a long time. 66 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: Yeah. 67 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 2: And I was at home, you know, stuffing my face 68 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: with pizza and a commercial for tryouts for the Dallas 69 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 2: Cowboys cheerleaders in two weeks, and I went, you know 70 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 2: what I could do that? 71 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: Were you a dancer at North Texas? 72 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 2: I did? I danced at North Texas. Yeah, I went 73 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 2: to owe you for two years and took dance off. 74 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: And then when I came back to you and T 75 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 2: and I went to Texas Stadium that day and little 76 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: they were filming a show. It was the very first 77 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: season of making the team. None of us had any 78 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 2: clue what that was. 79 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: The you know, the OG original reality show about making. 80 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: Yeah standard definition as you can get. Yeah. Ended up, 81 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: I ended up making it and. 82 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 1: Change this is two thousand and six. And then you 83 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: did it for two seasons. 84 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 2: I think I did it for two seasons. 85 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:26,679 Speaker 1: The most you can do is three. 86 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 2: No, you can go as many seasons as you want. 87 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: We have a girl who I. 88 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 1: Can on her six Oh wow, Oh my gosh. 89 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 2: I was just a lot of the girls start when 90 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 2: they're eighteen. You know, I was working a full time job, 91 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 2: I had a social life. I wanted to keep up, 92 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: and so I would go to work from eight to five. 93 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: I was at the stadium from six to eleven. And 94 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: then you lather, rense, repeat, and you know, there's a lot. 95 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,279 Speaker 1: That's a lot. You say, we you're still involved with them, 96 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: You're one of their big alums. 97 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 2: I yeah, I think for twelve thirteen years now, I've 98 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 2: been Judge Trials with them and going through training camp 99 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 2: with them, and yeah, no, it's been fun. It's a 100 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 2: full circle moment for sure, when I look at these girls. 101 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: The difference between the original reality show that you were 102 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: a part of making the team and what you're seeing 103 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: on Netflix now, which is one of the things I 104 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: wanted to talk to you about, because this Netflix special 105 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: has really captivated America at least, and I find it 106 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 1: interesting because I grew up in Dallas, born and raised, 107 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: diehard Dallas Cowboy fan. I was always you know, captivated 108 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,159 Speaker 1: and mesmerized by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, you know, often imitated, 109 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 1: never equalled they were just bigger than life, because so 110 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: were the Cowboys. Cowboys are still America's team, but I 111 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: would say almost more so the shining kind of beacon. 112 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 1: An example of America's team is the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. 113 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: They are around the world doing USO tours. They do 114 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: so much, not just in our community, but around the world, 115 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: around the country. So the cheerleaders almost are a bit 116 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:01,799 Speaker 1: er symbol than the star itself. 117 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 2: I mean, I mean, I think so being completely unbiased, 118 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 2: but yeah, So the original show was on CMT. It 119 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 2: was a great show, just kind of lifted the curtain 120 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 2: behind you know, during training camp. It shows, you know, 121 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 2: three months long what Netflix has done though, and Ty 122 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: had this great comparison. I was like, you're right, you 123 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 2: know the show Hard Knocks for football fans, Yeah, this 124 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: is the Hard Knocks for cheerleaders. Anyway, You're absolutely, that's 125 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 2: exactly what it is. You know, you're spotlighting a few girls, 126 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 2: you're seeing the process, you're seeing the good, but you're 127 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:38,480 Speaker 2: also seeing the not so good, right, I mean, they've 128 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:39,039 Speaker 2: gotten a lot. 129 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: I am shocked at how much of not the good 130 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: you're seeing. I know, I am too, to be honest, 131 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: I was like, what are you shocked? So what are 132 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,799 Speaker 1: you most shocked that you've heard or seen? We're like, WHOA, 133 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: I can't believe they said that out loud. 134 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 2: It's not that I can't believe they've said that, but 135 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:57,479 Speaker 2: obviously the pay topic has a huge point of contention 136 00:06:57,600 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 2: with a lot of people. You know, and this is coming. 137 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 2: I made fifty bucks a game back in my day. 138 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: Fifty dollars a game, hundred dollars a season. Guys, let 139 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: that sink in. This is a billion dollar industry. Yeah, 140 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: the club itself is worth billions of dollars, just the team, 141 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 1: not the NFL. The team is worth over a billion dollars. 142 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 2: And I listen, you sign up. I signed a contract 143 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 2: at the beginning of my year. I knew what my 144 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: pay was. I was fine with it. I never really understood, 145 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: like calendar stuff, when my face was being used for 146 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: stuff not just mine. I'm saying me, like the girls, yes, 147 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 2: you never saw them. There were no residuals, there were 148 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 2: no none of that. It was great. Thanks for that. 149 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 2: We're going to make millions of dollars on this merchandise. 150 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, and think of how many how many girls 151 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: walked around the United States as Dallas Cowboy chere leaders 152 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:52,679 Speaker 1: at Halloween. How many you know there was so much merch, 153 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: so much money that was made. 154 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 2: No, they're definitely celebrities, and it's only gained with you know, 155 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 2: social media and the accessibility of them, you know, I mean, 156 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 2: once this curtain has come back, I think the fascination 157 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 2: with who they are, what they are, what goes on 158 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: behind the scenes. I mean, I just feel like right now, 159 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 2: especially with this documentary, people are fascinated with how the 160 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 2: wheels work on this machine. 161 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 1: You know, we're hearing in some of the things that 162 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: are surprising. I think that we're not surprised they happen. 163 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: It's a surprise you're hearing it. Any the critiques of 164 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: body dance all this stuff, Like what were there any 165 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: big critiques or harsh comments made to you if like 166 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 1: you got to do this, you got to get better 167 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 1: your nose, you know, we got to fix your teeth anything. 168 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,199 Speaker 2: I mean, listen, I'm not going to go into details, 169 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 2: but I was a cheerleader now about twenty years ago 170 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 2: when we had America's Next Top Model where they're criticizing 171 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 2: bodies and faces. It was the norm of where you 172 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 2: were in our society that I can criticize you for 173 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 2: the way you look, and how much do you know? 174 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 2: Back then we were way every practice. You know. I 175 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 2: remember going, I can't drink too much water because I'm 176 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 2: going to be heavier. And you had weight watch, weight warning, 177 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 2: and weight probation and you didn't want to be in 178 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 2: any of them. And oddly enough and tryouts this year, 179 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 2: I was talking to Kelly about weight or something, and 180 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 2: she goes, we haven't waited the girls in years, so, 181 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 2: I mean they've evolved with the times as they have, 182 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 2: But I mean back in my day, it was it was. 183 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: Tough, a breeding ground for eating disorders. 184 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 2: I think we all came out with eating. I'm gonna 185 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 2: be real honest, I think we all with like healthy unhealthy? 186 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 2: What do I do? Am? I am? I big? Am 187 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 2: I not? You know? And I look back at my 188 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 2: twenty year old self, going, oh my god, if I could, 189 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 2: if I could be that tiny again. 190 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,360 Speaker 1: You're like, that's as beautiful and spectacular as I'm ever 191 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 1: gonna be. My skin's so elastic it bounds that it's. Uh. 192 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: Do you think the pay is going to change now 193 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: because this has been uncovered? I do, because the cowboys 194 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: are smart. If one thing that Jones family knows to 195 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: be smart. 196 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think they also like to make up their 197 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 2: own minds though, you know, of like true my decision 198 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: if we I don't want to be I don't want 199 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:07,040 Speaker 2: people to think I was forced into make decision. So 200 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 2: I think maybe we'll open up a conversation of we 201 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 2: probably need to talk seeing is how many people find 202 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 2: this offensive and a bit of an issue maybe. 203 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 1: I mean, look, I don't think they're going to be millionaires, 204 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: and you know, it's not going to be like some 205 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: crazy salary, but I think it goes up. 206 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 2: Well, they're getting paid more than we did. I mean 207 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,599 Speaker 2: it has gone I think they get paid for practices 208 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 2: now like that that stuff has been changed. But like 209 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 2: I mean, they're not getting rich off of being a 210 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 2: cheerleader by any means. 211 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 1: I went to a big dance school. I was surrounded 212 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: by dancers in college. I went to Oklahoma City University, 213 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: and so again I understand the dance philosophy too. Of 214 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: like they were weighed in and all the all the 215 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: eating disorders that came out of it, but the physicality 216 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,680 Speaker 1: of it, I don't know if people fully appreciated the 217 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: physicality of what you all do and did. When you 218 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,439 Speaker 1: see that, Oh yeah, my hips are just going to 219 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: pop out of socket now because of how much we 220 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 1: do and the drop split. I love how much was 221 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 1: made about the drop sport split. 222 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, no it was. I mean I've always said, you're 223 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 2: not your body's not fallen apart because you started dancing 224 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:23,959 Speaker 2: at twenty as a cheerleader. Right, these girls have been 225 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 2: dancing since they were three. We have my Boddy. I'm 226 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:30,599 Speaker 2: forty one, and I creak and croak, I need surgeries. 227 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,559 Speaker 2: I mean, it's just there are athletes in the sense 228 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 2: that they've been doing this their entire lives, and they've 229 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:37,959 Speaker 2: been doing a lot of it their entire lives, and 230 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 2: as you get to the professional status like it is 231 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 2: with male athletes, they're practicing six hours a day, which 232 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 2: is a lot on your body because it's not just 233 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 2: your legs or your arms. I mean when you're dancing, 234 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 2: it's total full body. And yes, those jump splits are 235 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 2: not friendly to anybody. Nobody was like, yes, I get 236 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 2: to jump in the air. 237 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 1: I don't think anybody would watch that and say, yeah, 238 00:11:58,800 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: that's good for you. 239 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,319 Speaker 2: Every time you were like, oh, my brother and done 240 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 2: land in. 241 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,839 Speaker 1: You know how much anxiety. It's really funny that there 242 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 1: was a it's almost like a trust fall. I really 243 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: enjoyed watching the rookies go through and like, you know, 244 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: there's so much anxiety to do it the first time. 245 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: Do you remember that much anxiety and looking towards Oh gosh, 246 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: we're going to have to learn to do this jump 247 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: split and doing it that first time. 248 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 2: I don't remember doing it the first time, but I 249 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 2: remember that anxiety of like, if I must this up, 250 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:34,320 Speaker 2: I'm out. But also you have this fear because with 251 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 2: a jump split, if you don't all jump up and land, 252 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 2: because we've had girls that get nervous at the last 253 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 2: minute and don't, so if you think about it, it 254 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 2: throws the off next to you and pushes them down. 255 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 2: So then you have this fear of if the girls 256 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 2: around me aren't doing it right, I then can get hurt. 257 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 2: And it's this this ripple effect. I mean, it is 258 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 2: highly effective visually yet massively terrifying when you're doing it and. 259 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: Then you get up and carry these I mean, and 260 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: it's hot. By the way, you were at the old Texas. 261 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 2: Stadium, old open open, there. 262 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: Was open, hot, cold, wet, dry, you name it. And 263 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: that turf was like a brick. It was just like 264 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 1: turf laid over concrete, which was so hard. Compared to 265 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: what they're performing at now on this soft turf and 266 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: seventy eight degrees, it's so much nicer. 267 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 2: And I only got fifty dollars a game for that. 268 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:32,719 Speaker 1: Fifty dollars a damn game. That's that's amazing. I think 269 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 1: you make more selling Girl Scout cookies. 270 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. 271 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 1: No, you could have a lemonade stand in Highland Park. 272 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,840 Speaker 1: Can you be much better off? 273 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 2: Well, it's funny. Back then, as we had to have 274 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 2: like our nails done, we had to have our hair 275 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 2: professionally done, our teeth white, and tanning. I was losing 276 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 2: money being a cheerleader by what it costs today. 277 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 1: They didn't do that for you. 278 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: No, we had free tanning memberships. That was it. Everything 279 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 2: else we had to maintain on our own. 280 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: And they also told you in the day, I don't 281 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 1: know if they still do. You can shed some light 282 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: on this. They tell you what color your hair is 283 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: going to be correct. 284 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 2: Yes, they made me a red head, a red like 285 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:09,200 Speaker 2: a red brown, and I had to keep that. 286 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I was looking at your hair was much lighter 287 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 1: and kind of so they kind of walk down the 288 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: line because they don't want you know, look, thirty brunettes 289 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: might be the best dancers and they make the team, 290 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: but they don't want thirty brunettes on the field. They 291 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: need five redheads, five blondes, five brunettes five you know. 292 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: And so they break you up and tell you what 293 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 1: color your hair is going to be? 294 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 2: Yes, and they I do think they I mean I 295 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: don't think they just randomly go, hey, we're turning you 296 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 2: into a burnette. I think they look and go, you 297 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 2: know what, you could probably pull off yeah, darker or this, 298 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 2: and I'm gonna be real honest and tryouts. We see 299 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 2: a lot of hair makeover right there, Like we had 300 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: one this year. I was like, it's silver, her hair 301 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: looks gray. People pay a lot of money to not 302 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 2: have that color hair. I don't understand. So sometimes it 303 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,720 Speaker 2: is necessary. Sometimes the girls hate it, you know, they 304 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 2: get their hair done. I think we saw in this 305 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 2: past season on Netflix she hated her hair when she 306 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 2: went from a blonde to a burnette. But you know, 307 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 2: you're like, I let them do it. I actually liked it. 308 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 2: I didn't hate my hair that's cool. 309 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: You're still involved with them though. I love that. That's cool. 310 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: And have have you been on Are you going to 311 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: be a part of the special at all or on 312 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: the documentary? No? 313 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 2: I was just there for the tryout part, so just 314 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 2: for the beginning. Because the format has changed so much, 315 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 2: where it used to focus on what goes on during 316 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:27,479 Speaker 2: training camp. Yeah, now it's more kind of the individual 317 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 2: girls and then the organization as a whole, and they 318 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 2: film all year. They don't just fil during the training 319 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 2: camp anymore. 320 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: Before I let you go, there were some fan questions 321 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: because people were so excited you were coming on and 322 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: wanted to ask you personal questions that they were wondering 323 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: about Dallas campboard cheerleaders. How often do you interact with 324 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: the football players? 325 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 2: Never unless you're at an appearance together. 326 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. Separation of church and state one hundred percent. Yeah. 327 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: Is there a hard and fast rule like do not date? 328 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: Yes. In that contract that you sign, they make it 329 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 2: very known that there is no fraternization. There is. We've 330 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 2: lost girls for ignoring that rule before. But yeah, sometimes 331 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 2: you'll do appearances. Usually it's at Christmas time, like in 332 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 2: the hospitals when you've got the foot in you and 333 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 2: you're allowed to you know, hey, but no other than 334 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 2: that part out. 335 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: We kind of talked about this, but do they have 336 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: especially now, do they have them on a specific diet? 337 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: Do they talk about that? Tell you? I mean, I know, 338 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: you're not weighing in anymore. 339 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 2: No, you're not weighing And they actually have a nutritionist 340 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 2: that is on staff. Back in our day, we had 341 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 2: Jay who was our personal trainer. We don't have the 342 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 2: Jay anymore, but now we have more health than They 343 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: kind of make meal plans for everybody based on their 344 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 2: eating habits, what they like, what they dislike, and what 345 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 2: they need. 346 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: How hard is it to have a social life because 347 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: it sounds like your full time job then you're dancing. 348 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it sounds really glamorous. But like I 349 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 2: was telling you, most of these girls have jobs during 350 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 2: the day and then at night you're at practice. I 351 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 2: think the misconception is that people think it's like two 352 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,600 Speaker 2: hours a week that you're working right during Cowboys games, Yeah, 353 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 2: and it's not. It's all weak and it's the day 354 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:07,439 Speaker 2: of you're there six hours before the game starts. 355 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: I'm curious about this one. Are there any special rituals 356 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,199 Speaker 1: or things that are done right before a game. The 357 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 1: cheerleaders do that. We don't know about the prayer circle. 358 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 2: Okay, there's a prayer circle. Yeah, everybody circles up, you 359 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:21,679 Speaker 2: cross your hands and hold them, Kelly says a prayer, 360 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 2: and then you turn and walk out to the tunnel. 361 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,119 Speaker 1: I love that. Okay, I want to end on this 362 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 1: one because this is good. People want to know what 363 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: advice you would give someone aspiring to become a Dallas 364 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: Cowboys cheerleader. 365 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 2: I would say, now that you've seen CMT and you've 366 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 2: seen the Netflix and you've seen what it takes, that 367 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,479 Speaker 2: it's not just a pretty face. It's not you know, 368 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 2: it's I love that these girls aren't just these ditsy 369 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 2: pretty little girls with pom poms anymore. That you see 370 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 2: that they're intelligent, they're well spoken, they're the highest athlete 371 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 2: when it comes to the dance world. I mean, it 372 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:57,640 Speaker 2: just it takes a lot, and so don't go into 373 00:17:57,720 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 2: it at twenty thinking you're going to get it. Like 374 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 2: start young and know that you know, they really are. 375 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:04,919 Speaker 2: They're cool and I'm proud to be a part of it. 376 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 2: You know, it makes me proud now that people get 377 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:07,120 Speaker 2: to see it, or I'm like. 378 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: Hey, you know, she's often imitated, never equalled. Melissa Ryecroft Strickland. Thanks, 379 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: one of my faves who's ever been through the show 380 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 1: and on the franchise and has been a part of 381 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: such huge, huge moments throughout my career, which is really 382 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: wild to say. We are going to be indelibly tied 383 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:32,600 Speaker 1: together for forever because of that. But I'm glad you 384 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: and the kids are doing great. I'm glad that you 385 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 1: have a break. The kids are in camp, so you 386 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: and Ti go be free. It's got to be weird 387 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:44,480 Speaker 1: being an empty nester. The silence is tough. Sometimes I say. 388 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 2: I'm not ready for it. It makes me very uncomfortable, so 389 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 2: I don't know how you do it. 390 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: Camp in the summers, that's the way to kind of 391 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 1: break the ice and get Yeah, it's the start. It 392 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: gets you used to it. Yeah, Melissa, thanks so much. 393 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: It's so good to catch up with you. I'm glad 394 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: you and tired doing great, and the kids all my bad. 395 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:01,400 Speaker 2: Thank you you too. 396 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Follow us on Instagram at the most 397 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,159 Speaker 1: dramatic pod ever and make sure to write us a 398 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: review and leave us five stars. I'll talk to you 399 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: next time.