kalibean

I haven’t looked at her Instagram in ages, and she looks happy and healthy and has a gorgeous little one if I’m reading that caption correctly! Still a little extra but seems to be content and doing well. Good for her.

Oh great merciful heavens...I only saw the snip she posted on her Instagram story and not the full thing. That’s A LOT. Like I said in my first post, mixed feelings about this whole situation, both the video that’s been out for months and now Vivian’s response. But I guess I’m low on empathy for someone who courted camera time her first season, knew exactly what she was getting into the second season, and has used social media to it’s full advantage including asking for funds to start her own YouTube channel. She’s savvy in a lot of ways, so I guess I’m not buying the whole “naive” narrative. This show has been on the air for 15 years and they’ve never candy coated a dang thing. Yes, it certainly sucks to have a snip of your life you would prefer to move on pop back up again, but I think there are better ways for Vivian to express her anger and annoyance. Mileage can vary, of course, but a short and sweet response when the video first came out would have made more sense than the novel. Her point got lost in the drama.

Yes and yes...they're compensated for their rehearsal hours, CMT camera time, etc. I get hating that your personal drama and struggles are shown on tv in perpetuity, but better to acknowledge it and what you've done to grow from it, I guess? Take the bad and leave the good. She's self aware enough to know what will get camera time, so you'd think she'd use those same PR skills to paint herself in a better light here too. She can feel her feelings, but I think she could have played her reaction very differently to create awareness and make herself look better. Courtney Cook had wild speculation about why she left and her "where are they now" segment looked fantastic. My favorite Viv moments: her asking what to do about her gazillion facebook friends, and also Melissa Rycroft snarking that Viv hides her insecurities well.

The thing that stands out to me in Vivian's post is the bit on how she would have reacted a year ago, three years ago, five years ago, etc. She's obviously gone through some personal stuff in the past five years, sounds like she self-medicated with alcohol, etc. And her being a bit bonkers was VERY CLEAR her last season shown on the show. I fast forward through the show during her bits because it's incredibly uncomfortable to watch, and I've got mixed feelings on her post. I do think it [the DCC:MTT video with Kelli and Judy) was mean-spirited, but I also enjoyed watching it. And heaven knows a reality show will exploit the raw material given, especially when it's so juicy. I feel like Vivian played the cameras as much as she could, and now she's pissed that the attention she begged for isn't positive.

This. Also, Dallas is the smallest dang large city I’ve ever experienced in my life. If they’re all at the same gym, neighborhoods, five bars, three brunch places and two churches I wouldn’t be shocked. The scene so to speak in Dallas just isn’t that big.

Fashion police would be my guess? Fun group of costumes...Lily’s cracked me up.

Agreed. I'm very curious what the pecking order looks like for appearances, too, and how those bookings are handled. There are probably some gorgeous DCC who look amazing on the field that rarely get booked for appearances because they don't have the right fit of personality for a grocery store opening, parade, etc. Or because of cost. If they get $100 per year as a DCC, that means Amy is $500 for an appearance, or you can snag Kat for $100. Amy is a skilled dance teacher with her own studio, but she might not be the best fit for a new Market Street opening. And those with full time jobs obviously aren't as available. They do SO MANY appearances at so many different things! I don't think a lot of the people commenting on Facebook, etc. realize how small the actual game day portion of the job is versus the other things they do. Regarding Erica's lawsuit, it was my understanding that her major complaint was not being fully compensated for her total work hours. IE., she worked eight hours but was only paid for six. She wanted to get the unpaid time, though of course the more interesting publicity is about the small salary...and thankfully that publicity helped contribute to higher pay. IIRC, the DCC are much better off than most since they're paid for rehearsal time. I can't believe they all aren't, to be honest...seems like the labor laws would apply since they aren't truly volunteers like some of the smaller arena teams.

It came out after the lawsuit...$400 per game, $12 an hour (up from $8) and the appearances are $100 per year as a DCC. Former came from articles I read a couple months back on the Dallas Morning News and ESPN, maybe, and I think the appearance fee info came from Shelly?

$400 per game now, that’s two Lanvin suits! 😂

At least CMT used her in promos! So bizarre how far back she is in the team photo tho, given the CMT choice. But she seems like an absolute doll. This. My guess is that she’s being paid the hourly wage to sit/help backstage/etc but if she was called in to perform it would switch to the game day flat fee. Either way, it’s not legal for her to be unpaid. Unpaid work hours was the crux of the Wilkins lawsuit and I’ve got to think they’ve buttoned that up now. ETA: if they were salaried, then no worries. But a salary wouldn’t make sense for the DCC given the differing workload, unless they all got a flat rate salary for game performance and then a kicker for appearances. And perhaps a show group member would get a higher salary given the extra workload? Sounds like a hot mess!

Could be, but there could also just be a lot of love and friendship over the years, and no one likes to disappoint the people they care about. It's normal to dread giving bad news to anyone. Kelli has shed tears on air about cutting people she barely knows, much less someone she's known from the womb. And ultimately, Kelli knows she's in charge of the team. She had to put her job first over her chosen family and that had to have sucked, even though it was (well past time) the right thing to do. Kelli and TK have been BFF since the early 80's...they've weathered good times and bad, raised their kids together, etc. At the end of the day, these people we watch on tv are human. I never ever want to disappoint my momma, and I'm not scared of her one little bit. VK knew it was her own fault she didn't make the team last year, and of course she was worried about telling her mom.

Alanna’s placement is interesting to me considering she’s front and center on CMT MTT’s social media. IIRC, she’s front and flanked by Ashlee (front row) and Daphne (third.) Everyone has to fit into the pic, but I thought she would be closer up.

I think when you’re in your early 20’s, a year is an eternity to wait. I think they were both out of college and knew there was a time limit for them to do this type of thing and move on professionally. But mostly I think they genuinely didn’t think a long weekend of pageant duties would interfere with training camp all that much, and couldn’t believe the DCC wouldn’t work with them on it. It’s probably the first time they’ve been told no in that type of situation. I liked the Minchew sisters personally, but they did come across as entitled. Judy for sure took them down a peg, but I was proud of the one girl for coming back and trying the next year anyway.

The flashes to TK reminded me of some of the filler audience cheering they've used in the past for the first game. Pre-season games aren't usually sold out at Cowboys Stadium, and the seats aren't full when the DCC performs. Doesn't stop CMT from splicing in a full crowd cheering wildly, though! I thought TK looked like she was having the best time. I can see my mom overcome with joy in the same way. It's amusing to compare her to Lexi's mom, but Lexi has been a DCC for years and a Mavericks dancer for years before that. It's probably just another day to Lexi's mom by now, plus it was just a show group performance...not a meet the team performance. We've seen a lot of families go over the top for those. Either way...the team hasn't been officially announced but TK's 19 year old baby is performing in the DCC uniform for the first time. Of course TK is beside herself with joy. I'm not going to take away from her proud momma moment, even if it's a bit silly and over the top. (But I also tend to mark the arm movements to Thunderstruck when I hear it come on...YMMV.)

Thanks for the correction on Keyra! She had a strong rookie class...they must have been super hopeful about some of the rookies that came in when Keyra was cut. Because that's the batch that was so weak, and then several were cut the next year. I thought this year's batch of rookies would be beyond killer, with all of the Mavericks gals trying out, but hey what do I know? Even though the number trying out has dropped dramatically, I wonder if the number of quality candidates coming through has remained relatively static. For those strong dancers wanting to remain in Dallas, opportunities to dance are even smaller. For those who wanted to try out for fun or a "bucket list", they now know they'll be mocked for trying so don't bother. I show might be scaring away some, but I think it's attracting quite a bit as well.

I used to analyze demographics as part of building knowledge on our customer base, so I love that kind of stuff! I completely forgot about Jasmine!! Absolutely a blender, but still always a surprise when a multi year vet gets cut. I don’t feel like we’ve seen that happen often since the show began. Raylee had two years when she was cut, right? No one else is coming to mind. Keyra had a lot of really good friends on the team, so that might have helped get her a second look...and she was so powerful for her rookie class. I remember thinking that was a weaker group, with little heather (sorry, I know she’s popular here), Allie, Milan, etc. I think in other years she would have been passed over for a taller girl with a slimmer build vs her gymnast build. Bc that’s what Kelli seems to prefer. Even her shorties have long, slim legs for their size.

Dallas Cowboys are “America’s Team and all, but Dallas itself is super diverse. Almost a quarter of residents are foreign born, and it’s 42% Hispanic...tho many Hispanic people are considered white, and white folks are around 60%. Black Dallasites are 25%. I do think the emphasis on technical dancers as well as the sheer numbers game has caused some decline for WOC. Would someone as amazing as Nicole Hamilton make it now? But I also feel like every year we see a lot of women that don’t make camp even though they’re in the final round. I’m still sad about Seattle Miranda 😂 I also feel like the vast majority of black women that make it into camp are AMAZING dancers, and we rarely get a WOC that’s a “blender.” Sure, there’s Alexandra and Amy that couldn’t make it through, and Kat has her issues, but I think about Jacie and Jenna and Kirsten and Robyn and oodles more. IMO, they seem to be held to a higher standard than some others. I don’t know that it’s purposeful, but until Kat, I can’t really think of an average black DCC. And Kat is stunning and full of personality, and looks like she’s doing great with the dancing too.

Was that in part because of the temperature inside Texas stadium? I can’t imagine pregame, four quarters and occasionally a halftime show in that heat! Been watching early seasons on Pluto and those conditioning exercises with Jay looked positively melty.

Is Maddie a 4th year? Then she’ll for sure come back...so I might need to swap my VOTY and Pro Bowl predictions 😂

Seriously! It made the whole thing for me. The entire Christmas spectacular is delightful. IIRC, she is doing it again.

Thank you for posting that article! Of note, it mentions that a few of the Rockettes are into their 40’s, and seven are moms. That’s so awesome IMO. Was it this year that a former TCC in her 40’s tried out? I wish her dancing was stronger, bc she looked incredible. The squad has gotten so slim I don’t know many 30++ that would make it on the HD screen. As Kelli and my grandma always said, five pounds on the waist takes five years off the face. As for the Rockettes, good on them for expanding their casting calls and having a more diverse team. Jacie was only one of two (visibly) black women on the team last year when I saw their performance live. (Can highly recommend btw!)

I think it’ll be VK for ROTY, Amy for VOTY and Maddie for Pro Bowl. Not my preference, but that’s what I think we’ll get. I can easily see Kat, Kelsey or Amanda getting rookie...maybe we’ll be surprised like we were with Savvy! But for real tho, it’s gonna be VK.

Too many filters and photoshop and such. She’s always enjoyed playing around with those things, IIRC. She’s so pretty naturally and has just taken it too far in her social media pics. Curious how she looks in person or if she’s gone the medspa route.

I love the camping pics! Who is between Kelli and Charlotte’s daughter on Kelli’s insta? I recognized everyone else. The no make-up and warm snuggly clothes were delightful to see. I can hear my momma (and grandma) fussing at me to put my lips on tho 😂 Even on a dry shampoo, messy bun, yoga pants day I’ve got my lips on.

Nope! Jinelle was a Kelli/Judy favorite ala Maddie, strong dancer, group leader for two years (maybe more years as a second group leader) and was 3rd or 4th down the side. I personally think she's prettier than Amy and Maddie, though Maddie does have more spark than Jinelle. So honest to God I can't figure it out.