kalibean

Amber led the football costume themed dance the way that Holly P did the same (or similar) before. And she did totally kill it! Is that what you’re talking about? Thankfully she has it posted on her Instagram Bc I never would have found it on YouTube. I feel like I’ve seen another version where she was better than this one, but I’m not willing to dive into the archives 😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Z6W68Bwca/?igshid=f6lnz4vhfjb7

I noticed a handful of gals in the pics that weren’t DCC, but it’s McKenzie, Ashlee and Kristen all over it for sure. I really like this pic of Rachel W too. It’s like she’s trying not to laugh and be fierce too. She’s always beautiful but sometimes has that lifeless expression in her eyes, but I see a lot of personality in this pic. https://www.instagram.com/p/CM2kju3gD7q/?igshid=uu5ds7nwvu9f

She carried that weight gain well tho...every body type is just so different. Paige just got a little thicker, some get jiggly and the looser skin shows on the big screen. I remember Kelli being so surprised it was 11 pounds! She got grace more so than others for sure, but she was getting a divorce if I remember correctly and might not have had issues through her rookie year. I think if you’re otherwise keeping your nose clean, and the weight gain isn’t glaringly obvious, they don’t stick as closely to what the weight value is and it’s intended to always keep the dancer on their toes with their diet. (Unless you’re one of the #blessed #highlyfavored of course and then it’s ignored and coddled.)

My mom watches the show too, so when I’m visiting, I’ll glance over to her at the breakfast table and say “your hair sucks!” And she’ll reply back “I’m gonna curl it!” Me: “you don’t take breakfast seriously?! You don’t respect what do here?” And we’ll both giggle. We both have fine, straight hair and it does totally suck if we don’t put some effort in. But we’re also southern sooooo threshold for flat hair is pretty low 😂

I don’t remember anyone being surprised it wasn’t Lacey - she’s pretty and reliable but lacks some of that punch and sparkle. But lots of shock that it was Kashara in the end, and reminders that she got rookie of the year. Kashara is fun to watch, but it was 100% Jenna until she screwed up. I never pictured Erica or Kerstyn for point either. (And I feel like we all missed Kashara as point when it ended up being Amy/Maddie. Like if we were baffled by Kashara, Kelli was like hold my beer.) I think Holly is such an excellent dancer, but I wouldn’t have liked her at point. Her facials bug the mess out of me. She was point for the hip hop routine and she sells it, but she had a combo of a stank and smug face for it that lost me. She throws in that extra like Gina does too. I’m trying to picture who would have made a clean point if Holly and Gina were the triangle. Lol.

I think my only issue with Gina as point is her figure - other than Amy, who still baffles me, all points tend to be more on the strong and curvy side of things. Amy is super lean but still looked healthy to me (like Jinelle always did.) Gina has gone a few pounds past what looks healthy for her frame. Tho maybe in person she looks strong and fit and she’s just photoshopping herself to look that way. Either way, it’s a prominent position and photographed/video quite often, so as much as I don’t agree with Rachel W’s politics, from an eyeballs POV I like her better for the spot. Amanda, Caroline, Ashlee, Lexi all work too tho. I don’t mind the rotating point since it gives more people a moment to shine.

Amanda and Rachel W in the triangle and Ashlee at diamond? I like this too! Tho I like Lexie in the triangle as well. If she retires, these four are a solid preview for the next squad.

In Kelli’s defense...girl showed up looking like she had just rolled out of bed. Back then they weren’t all quite going full stage makeup with false lashes every waking moment either. She was already late, if she had taken two minutes to pop on mascara and lip gloss and dry shampooed/brushed her hair she would have been fine. From that perceptive, anyway. Being late and lacking some sparkle did her in. IMO, anyway! She might be super friendly and bubbly off camera but didn’t read that way on the show. I love all of these pics! That rookie class really is awesome.

I've always had a soft spot for the Minchew sisters, but it's almost quaint looking back how Kelli beats up on them for being "fake" and "mannequin" like when that glossy, pageant look and demeanor is so prevalent in today's squad. They're pretty, polished and well spoken, Kelli. Sheesh. You can't have a squad of hot mess express Victorias. You need the Lexi and Rachel W, etc too.

Way back in the Mighty Big TV days (pre TWoP, even) there was a running joke about God being in the tub. Girl, He is scrubbing his back and He's got real shit to worry about. Like washing His hair. And famines and natural disasters and genocide. It is not His master plan for you to get the final rose or make the team or whatever it is you think you want. I have empathy for people who shoot hard to live their dreams and fall short, but it does make me chuckle. HE'S IN THE TUB!

I honestly think not having a camera in your face 24/7 is a giant win too. Being a DCC comes with a lot of perks, but also a lot of baggage if you aren't looking to build an influencer audience and play on that reality show angle. I personally think that's absolutely fine...I respect the hustle of a good marketer, but truly, some of these gals just want the camaraderie and a way to dance. I know some great dancers who cheered for other local teams that never would have done DCC just because of the show.

This post reminds me that I am really confused at how people use the term "humbled." I understand that she's excited, but how is one humbled to try out? For example, it would make sense in the context of perhaps humbled by the faith her family is showing her by paying for all of her expenses while she takes time out to attend prep classes/fly to Dallas/etc." Or "humbled to make the squad in the midst of so many other talented women" would also make sense to me. But maybe I don't understand what humbled means in this context, so looked it up and it makes sense! Hooray! having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. So I answered my own question...she's saying she's excited and has modest expectations of her try out. Anyway, I went through a journey and figured I would post for others like me who might have lumped "humbled" in the category of overused words like "blessed," "highly favored," "God's plan" when it comes to things like cheerleader tryouts.

It was just flat and needed some life...which to Melissa Rycroft’s point, just needed some teasing! Perfectly fine for real life, but she needed some product and effort for a dress rehearsal. source: my hair is an Auburn version of erica’s when I let it air dry! Shiny but flat.

I was meh about Kashara at point simply because I felt there were stronger dancers available. It was Jenna’s to lose, and lose it she did. That year was a shit show, and I think K ended up doing a great job. That said, I could be mentally revising history based on the yawn fest that came after. Also, Jenn A is a solid leader, well spoken and a pretty lady, but lacked that something extra for me as point.

I’m still a little shocked that the Rangers filled to capacity for opening day. I imagine NFL will let cheerleaders on the field since it’s a few months from now.

Julia is just a teeny thing, isn’t she? Tori looks like she has a bomb figure, her outfit just isn’t laying correctly for the pic. She might be just a touch too tall for the romper, which I totally get...I’m a little over 5’11” and have never found one that fit well!

The giant HD board at the new stadium seriously changed the game!

I thought this was a cute little post about DCC engagements. Also love that all of the comments were asking for Jinelle. I know there’s been some buzz about disapproval about Alanna’s mixed race relationship that hopefully isn’t true, so I was glad to see her engagement pic was one of the first shown. They’re an adorable couple. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpgegIlh5P/?igshid=1nf4gdtmof6js

And dogs. So. Many. Dogs. Lol.

No telling the source since anyone can edit, but here is what wiki says: VOTY: Savvy ROTY: Dani Pro Bowl: Rachel W (tho of course PB didn’t happen, so this is def just a feel good title)

You know Judy is channeling her comments about Jax when she looks at VK’s hair...”BRUSH IT.” She has nice hair, how and why she hasn’t figured out how to style it yet is beyond me. VK is nothing but potential but gets in her own way and is enabled. It’s so frustrating to watch because the ingredients are good and the cake doesn’t turn out anyway. Lol.

I love Tara’s darker hair, but between filters and photoshop apps, I feel like I have no idea how anyone actually looks anymore. Maybe that’s 100% Tara with good makeup, maybe she’s had some tweaks at a medspa, maybe it’s all done in an app. Lol. Bless instagram’s heart.

Reminds me how much I miss Candace Romo as a judge! Lightheartedly bagged on Kelli and overshared to make a candidate feel better (belatedly.)

As lovely as Tara seems, I was surprised she made the squad the first year. Short legs and while I like a sporty cute vibe just fine, Kelli doesn’t always. Especially if they don’t kill it in every other way. Both her and Savannah were story line picks that worked out okay IMO. I’m surprised how long Savvy has made it through, but she’s still a decent dancer and so pretty. I was sad for Tara that she got cut, especially since she was a locker room favorite, but she wasn’t serving her best at the calendar shoot or camp. I was born in Virginia and moved to KC in high school...I was ridiculed for my accent so hard I busted my ass to get rid of it. All these years later, I’m generally accent free but a cocktail and/or back in the south it comes right on back. Lol.

I just unfollowed her this week too! I think her and Grant are very well suited, and lots of good natured teasing from what I can see...but I just didn't care to follow anymore. Which is silly, because I follow a zillion accounts, mostly hobby related...not sure why she was getting bumped up in the algorithm so much or what exactly did it. A lot of people who are continuously traveling during the pandemic have been working my nerve too, so maybe that's why. They could both be vaccinated up the wazoo but it still seems weird to me. (And I got my first vacc yesterday, woot!) @KnyghtRyder - I do too! Her life just seems interesting post DCC, and since she's still close to a lot of her teammates you get that occasional bit of an update. I follow Sydney as well...both are really strong in their content, particularly Sydney since she's wrapped her business in it. I think other than those two, Jacie and Brianna, I might follow a couple more but they must not hit my newfeed too often! Someone will always post here if there's something exciting going on 🙂