kalibean

I think this is makeup and filters and some injections too. I honestly wouldn’t recognize her in person. She was obviously a much beloved teammate but I didn’t think she’d make it even that first year, so wasn’t surprised by the cut. Kelli usually doesn’t like the girls with long torsos and short legs, but she loves Savannah and it was the team story that kept Tara on IMO. I found her to be a blender and then that photo shoot girl was a mess. I think she’s got herself sorted out and has found a better fit for dancing, at least she has. Is she with the renewed Mavs too? I think this is a super awkwardly placed piece of white on the shorts, maybe? But also hilarious.

For what it’s worth, I thought Sydney was one of the most beautiful women on the squad that year. Absolutely stunning.

I always figured she was referencing the drama with VK, and how TPTB were letting some of the immature locker room nonsense slide. But I’m glad you shared your perspective, because now I’m looking at it with a different lens. @Tuxcat makes some good points too, and 2020 was just a weird year on the squad. They did have some candidates try out that likely wouldn’t have done so if not for the cancellation of other dance jobs. Curious if the cancellation of the show will impact those who try out to build a profile. I don’t think there’s a lot wrong with that if they do a good job as a DCC, tho. Influencing is just a new way of marketing if done well.

I don't either, but I got curious! The wedding looked really fun in stories, so wouldn't mind seeing more of the setup.

Could just be waiting on the professional pics - there was almost a three week gap between this bride’s wedding and the post. https://www.instagram.com/p/CcJ4DyzsjrT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

K Dunn is raking in some serious influencer cash from her appearances and social media, tho, so I can’t really blame her for riding that wave while she can. IIRC she has a marketing degree, and she’s making the most of it. Wouldn’t be the journey I pick for myself, but she’s obviously doing well with it. She always looks like she’s having a great time, and seems like a really good friend too.

RE Thunder at Alanna’s wedding… I’m willing to bet a handful of the Laker girls marked it on the sideline like some of us would do at a DCC wedding. Any time I hear Thunderstruck I can’t really help it, even if it’s a muscle twitch. I would watch a reality show a dear friend was in, so would have picked it up. Or even practiced it with her for fun. I would imagine they’re less annoyed than other guests might be, because they’ll get it more as people who love to dance.

It’s funny, because I love seeing the calendar shoot itself, the swimwear, etc. and I’m so excited for the ladies that make it, much like so many of us. But yeah we ain’t buying. Lol.

I think it’s one thing to say someone isn’t uniform ready, or that they appear to be thick or have gained weight vs “OMG look at that fat jiggly belly?!? She’s such a fat pig!!!” Some of those types of low quality posts really stick out and don’t meaningfully add to any conversation. The fat/pig/lardass side of things would definitely be insensitive under any definition. Ideally we aren’t talking about bodies, but so much of this show truly is the appearance of the squad…just takes some sensitivity and nuance IMO. It’s not kind to point out that someone has gained weight, of course, but can be phrased more nicely.

I think since so many strong candidates come from a college or high school, a longer application time gives some flexibility around final exam schedules too. I think they likely weed as they go too. It’s an odd number of days but if anyone mails gives a little flexibility. Does anyone mail or is it just a cloud upload?

For point, I’m thinking (wishing?) for Ashlee with Claire and a blonde. I don’t think Marisa, tho. She’s talented but I don’t see her all the way up front yet. The glamour blondes in my head are the second years, so I don’t see that either. Maybe Mackenzie?

The food segments could have been so, so good too. It's very expensive to use MFF or Snap Kitchen, but easy, quick and healthy if you have the budget. And it can also be relatively easy to do meal prep. So why they don't have cooking segments based on great meal prep for busy peeps, building adult lunchables as a great way to get in a small meal on the go from work to practice, etc, is beyond me. It's like they'll flirt around with the concept and then just fizzle it out. The squad skews younger and younger, so providing sound nutritional guidance as a part of camp 100% makes sense to me as so many might be out on their own for the first time. Should it be part of their job? Probably not, as I imagine the Rockettes or other dance jobs don't do anything like that, but since the DCC films it all and pretends like they care, they could at least do it right. If you're invading roommate apartments and raiding their kitchen, do practical stuff like helping them build mini meals out of a $5 rotisserie chicken, some hardboiled eggs and cut up veggies to eat on the go. Sure as heck beats two peanut butter pretzels! (You're totally right, @ByTor - I just couldn't remember. Also I would rather have a granola bar.)

Right? I'm totally reaching. They could have done a good job spinning that whole segment though, seriously. They'll film things like Kelsey being hospitalized for intestinal issues and then eating a granola bar for dinner. That would have been the perfect timing for a MFF paid segment about good nutrition on the go or whatever. Their snack boxes would have been a perfect small meal in the car from Fort Worth to Valley Ranch.

I always wondered if they slipped her into that segment because she wasn't quite eating enough, and wanted to get her support for balanced nutrition? My Fit Foods (and Snap Kitchen, which basically put MFF out of business) are so, so awesome for yummy and healthy meals for a busy schedule. If they actually did provide the DCC with a meal allowance from there, particularly during training camp, that would be amazing. I lived at those places while I was working full time and getting my MBA in the evenings, which is the closest I'll come to living a DCC schedule. lol More than likely she slid in there because she was so popular and they wanted to give her camera time, but it was so awkward. That was a season for weird editing hijinks for me, particularly on the Hannah front.

Because we are nosy AF. Or more nicely stated, like to speculate. So many people who have been featured on the show have daughters, and they’ve likely all been vetted at one point or another. I don’t think there’s anyone in the wings from the main TPTB anymore, tho. Honestly I think they probably have it divvied out that way, it’s just not spoken aloud on the show. I’ve got to think they’ve got their A-team for the good appearances (even those who aren’t on SG bc of their other time commitments) and then the gals who do the openings of a Piggly Wiggly.

Adding on to this per the lessons I had as a kiddo and teen (southern standards I guess) and my grandma…we were told to wait for hot food while plates are actively being placed. If you’re in a situation where half has hot food, and half (or just one or two) is waiting for the next round of servers, go ahead and start eating. Like if it’s longer than a brief pause. And cold food always waits until the last person is served. Curious what the DCC coach would say!

I don't think there's anything wrong with not having a leadership position, though. The DCC is a huge demand on time as it is, so if you have a job or other interests that don't perfectly fit into the DCC sphere (dance coach, etc.) then I think doing enough is doing enough, you know? I imagine quite a few women just love to dance, don't mind the appearances, and are happy to follow direction from the ones who really want those positions.

I haven't re-watched the past couple of seasons like I have the earlier ones, but IIRC, they've started to adapt the wording they use to be more in line with what you're saying. Like it's still the best of the best dancers, as it should be, but they also have been talking about television appearances, etc. So you'd likely have say 12 that are dance focused and then a handful of ambassador types that can hang in the dance if need be but they're there for other reasons like game show appearances, eye candy, interviews, etc. Some are great at both, like Lexie, and others shine brighter in one or the other. I'm with y'all on VK...she's not a strong enough dancer nor does she have the charm of a Savannah or Kat to be on SG. BUT she's also one of the best known from a social media follower situation (top five for followers of the recent squads, if not the top,) so that's probably one "pro" on her side. But truly, other than being relatively flashy with her long legs and blonde hair, it's a meh for me.

AHHHHHH just came here to post this!! I'm a big Chiefs fan, follow their squad on instagram. I'm watching the video fly through and I was like OMG LACEY. LACEY!!! So happy for her. I clicked in the comments to see if they had a list so I could confirm, and Hannah had tagged her in a congrats. Love it! Here is Lacey's instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcRdNJIsIiB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

How many dancing Show Group appearances did Kat do versus speaking appearances? She's a decent enough dancer, not your typical SG technical, of course, but she really shines on camera. She's also well spoken, beautiful, and seems like she can have a good chat with a bug. She's extra, but extra in a way that's awesome for a tv show and tv appearances. I get why she's on SG, I really do. As sweet as Maddie is, she was freaking point, and was just a standard DCC dancer and not great on camera. I still don't know how that happened. Rock star with the kid's camps, though. Rachel W is gorgeous, solid dancer, but isn't as outgoing conversationally. They all have their gifts, you know? It makes sense to me to have a handful of people like Kat on SG.

I 100% agree with you. I almost think she'd be wasted as an All-Star that does more appearances versus dancing. I can see where it's harder for the DCC that start so young to just be done when they're 22-23 and still have more to give physically. Especially if they don't want to dance outside of the Dallas area.

Collin made me so sad, and I think she was just as cute as Maddie or Marissa or several of the more recent DCC that have a "girl next door" look. Also, she was a career gal! Maybe she had to turn down too many appearances, plus she was over tan. maybe during the season she had made some air headed decisions that ended up with them letting her go. She was a sad one tho, I agree.

Brooke, for those who don't feel like clicking. How old is she? I'm in my early 40's and they look same-ish as mine, I guess, except she has a lot more cellular damage from the sun.

I think they probably have a really good idea of who will make the final squad, and they end up with 2-3 surprises. Be it a Barbie winner for solos who can't pick up the power pom fast enough, or a delightful personality that wins them over in the end that they keep instead of a pretty but boring dancer. Other than the short interview and whatever gossip they've got from the dance industry, the audition process doesn't give enough personality. Just a quick glance. And that's so, so important with the appearances, particularly if they want everyone to have those opportunities. Other NFL squads (tho not all) have those appearance only gals so I imagine the audition process focuses more on personality vs. the DCC on dance.

I would watch a documentary style show about making up the team, personally, and I think based on the success of "Cheer" on Netflix a lot of folks would. The dance component is fantastic, and I think it's interesting watching how they put it all together for both the cheer/dance aspect as well as the appearances. After all this time on the air, though, this show falls right along the same line as "The Bachelor" for me where sure, winning is nice, but look at all of the opportunities that can come along! Some of the gals that didn't make the squad at all like Kat Dunn have been able to make strong connections and friendships that have been tremendously beneficial. Difference being that these women, even the ones who don't make the squad, have a skill other than being camera ready, of course. KDunn isn't the best dancer out there, but she's still fun to watch and has a spark that popped on camera. I think that's a big part of why so many candidates are camera ready - it's not just being a cheerleader, you're featured on the show and can potentially also build your brand, as long as you're humble about it and don't tell Kelli.