M1977G

Some folks pointed out how stone-faced Brennan was watching Christina's solo. In rewatching, I noticed that she's pretty stone-faced throughout most of the solos and was in sharp contrast to Gina just a few seats over. For me, this adds to her "weird facials" issue from years past. She also made a weird face when she was talking about her grandmother and I just thought she kind of looked like a bird. I guess I don't love her face or her facials, although I think she is reasonably pretty with a relaxed smile (don't see those often from her) and I do think she's a very talented dancer. I wouldn't harp on her looks, except it's an expectation of becoming a DCC. It will be interesting to see what kinds of feedback she gets during training camp and I hope to get some real glimpses of her performance quality during camp as well. I wanted to see more of vet Rachel at finals. I think she's a great dancer and has an appealing natural girl-next-door quality. She seemed to have been one of the last vets called as well, and I would imagine that was because they're always on her about weight (though she I thought she looked great at the calendar shoot right after auditions). When she auditioned last year, Charlotte said she already looked like a vet, so I'm curious about why they left her hanging with Kash near the end. Rachel was captain of a nationally ranked dance team in college, and I hope she stays on the team long enough to take on a leadership role. I believe that @ShellyB responded to a question on the forum last year or the year before about whether or not vets are told they should retire. It's this vague memory I have, so someone with a sharper recall please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think she said they do not, as a rule, tell cheerleaders that they should retire. They do get constant evaluations, though, so either way, they really should know where they stand at the end of the season looking towards auditions. This is not to say that there are not sometimes shocking vet cuts, of course.

I just watched the news piece posted upthread that Brenda the judge did on auditions and training camp, and it was fascinating how much footage of Erica they used! She probably was the most heavily featured cheerleader in the game day footage. It's like, why? Surely Brenda knows the scoop and that the woman actively is suing the Cowboys.

I also was struck by seeing all the vets crying and hugging Selina, who handled her cut with such grace and was shown smiling and hugging other audiontees who didn't make TC right after the announcement ended, versus the scene of Keyra just walking out and then her scene of "of course, I'd want an explanation." Of course, editing comes into play, and I'm sure she got some love from her former team mates, too, but based on her immediate post-announcement reactions, she did not define grace under pressure or in the face of adversity. She is such a great dancer and I pulled for her all last season, that it makes me sad that I no longer see her in the same light. @chabelisaywow, apparently, Hooters is the recommended place to get dance tights that better match actual skin tones, although, tbh, I have no idea if they have a range of shades for women of color. I recall Nicole Bulcher talking about how she learned to get her tights there after getting teased for wearing way too dark tights at her rookie audition. I really wish we could see more of dancing and deliberations at finals! Others of course may feel differently, but I wouldn't mind two episodes of finals (but then maybe squish prelims and semis into one episode). That way we could see more of rookies and vets prepping for finals--more Kitty with the rookies, seeing vets work on their solos with each other (or even former DCC like Ashton who'd done their choreography), getting beautified, etc., maybe ladies taking the written test, more of vets talking with Kelli and Judy in the office and their evals of the previous year, and/or interviews in the first episode/hour and then time for more solos, on the field performances, and deliberations in the second episode/hour. Then I'd feel like I had more of a sense of how strong vets were/weren't at auditions and know more about who's who and the skill/performance qualities of the rookie candidates. Excited that we get to see some of the calendar trip in the next episode and I can't wait to see the rookies on their first night of training camp! Just now, after this episode aired, you mean? SM rants about your former employer aren't exactly professional, either...

I think these things probably were addressed. K & J don't hold back on their critiques, and we know that girls get feedback reports throughout the year and evaluations of home game performances (I really would love to get to see one of those evals!). We also saw last year and last episode that K & J do meet with the vets prior to auditions. This year showed them talking with vets who retired, but last year we saw them talking with vets who were reauditioning and telling them what they expected to see or were concerned about regarding each vet. I think there is no way that Keyra didn't know how much of a foul her two tardies were, but I think she blew that off and thought that her dance power would keep her on the squad. This summer, someone posted here an Insta thing Keyra did and she responded to a question about why she was cut. She said it was because she "missed" an appearance and was very flippant about it, like "no big deal." She should know it's a big deal and it should not have happened a second time. Now, missing an appearance and being late are not the same, so I don't know if she also missed an appearance on top of her two tardies. I think with lateness, you get one shot only with Kelli and then it's the ish list. Jordan Daigle comes to mind. She was late for the game day bus, but unlike Keyra, she was very contrite, talked about how to move forward and learn and not let herself or her team down again. So, to me, there's no way that Keyra has a pass for not knowing she was on their radar. And if she really didn't know, then that's not the kind of vet and attitude you want a) to rely on to be a professional and a solid team mate, or b) to model how to be a DCC for rookies. Similar for Selina. She knew. She was warned repeatedly, and I think they gave her a serious grace period by not cutting her last year despite weight gain and sending her to Cowboys Fitness trainers for help. Then she showed up having gained 14 pounds from the year before. She probably gained nearly 20 pounds since her rookie year, since she was noticeably heavier last year from her rookie season. I've never heard of a DCC gaining that much and staying on the team, and honestly, she's probably been on weight warning for a whole year, if not since her rookie year. Maybe she thought she'd keep getting passes because they respected her full time job and she'd gained so much and hadn't been cut yet. As far as likability goes, I think Selina seems much sweeter and more of a team player than Keyra. I find Selina's cut more sad than Kerya's, but I understand both cuts perfectly. They both could have saved themselves the embarrassment and heartbreak if they'd looked at their situations honestly and retired on high notes. Two things I'll say about Jessika's awful interview, now that I've seen it. As a vet, she should have been prepared to spout the company policy and not have to wait for this training camp's media/public appearance seminar(s) to be told what to say about this. Also, although she was pretty incoherent with her stumbly answer, I found it interesting that she tried to say it depends on the personal cause. This was interesting and correct to me, since they also showed Maddie's interview, where she talked about the My Cause My Boots thing last year, where each DCC chose the cause that they PERSONALLY wanted to promote ON THE FIELD AT THE GAME. So, basically, the answer is, if you want to promote a cause like Alzheimer's research or Downs Syndrome (not sure exactly what the cause is there, research or supporting individuals with Downs or what, tbh), or pancreatic cancer awareness or something that doesn't offend the Jones family or hurt their profits, go for it--but if you want to promote social justice for black folks or protest police brutality, get the hell out. And, yes, I get it that they are a business and are entitled to focus on their money over all else. Just saying, it doesn't seem to me that the Cowboys frown upon all personal causes being promoted on the field or through their organization, so in that sense, Jessika was very unimpressive but not wrong with her answer and Kelli was too vague with her question.

I doubt it would come up in a formal interview (besides finals, I mean), but I do think that some version of this question and the topic itself would/could be raised by individuals interacting with DCC on appearances and at events, and it makes sense to me that they want to feel confident that the cheerleaders can answer (or even better, coherently sidestep the issue) with diplomacy and at least a degree of grace. They don't want DCC who are going to say things that mortally offend their sponsors...or Jerry Jones--especially on this issue, as there clearly is a party line that the organization expects everybody to tow. Knowing this, she should have a ready answer that suited the organization's policy on this, and if she disagrees with the policy, she also should have had her diplomatic and coded answer at the ready. Wow, Selina came in 14 pounds heavier than last year?? She already had gained significantly last year. It really does stand out in every picture I've seen of her for the last year and a half or so. Obviously, the stress of managing her weight got to her and that makes me sad for her, but damn, I would not have tried out again if I'd been called into the office at least twice the previous year and then gained more than a dozen more pounds. LOL to the Tyra outrage GIF. It's mesmerizing.

I can't watch the episode in real time (I hate having to wait until the next day, but c'est la vie), but wow, that's a timely and hard question to answer properly for candidates. This sounds like it's not entirely unlike Caila's question about the border wall, except that I haven't heard that Jessika was posting about the subject on social media like Caila apparently had. Still, it's surprising that she wasn't prepared to address such a current and hot-button issue. Can't wait to hear and see how it went down. And this CIA-FBI business, too. I mean, what? I bet Yuko knows what at least one of those acronyms stands for.

I don't know about drunk, but Brenda is not looking her usual HD-ready self. I know she has a lot of haters on this board, but I never have minded that she asks rough questions or that she went after Kat for that horrid interview outfit, and I hope she is not ill or anything. Those eyes are looking tired and lacking in undereye concealer to say the least.

So, recently @Txmomof2 graciously informed me that the Finals, Training Camp, etc thread was open and had the spoilers and info I was longing for--thanks again! I didn't realize the threads could be unlocked and relocked, so I was waaaayyyy behind. By the time I finished, I was spent, y'all! As I was reading through the pages and pages (and pages), I was gasping, jaw-dropping, LOLing, and when I finally got to the end of the thread, I was all excited to post...and it is locked. So much amazing tea spilled and now I've no where to discuss it! I do have one thought that I did not see mentioned on the thread regarding the preview for tonights episode of finals round, so I'm putting it in this spoiler bubble: Can't wait for tonight's episode! Finals is always one of my faves.

Ha, true that. But now they've shown us exactly how to curl it, tease it, and spray it! When I watched the video, I thought, oh, that was Jinelle's makeover! And I remembered her saying she needed to practice how to do her new hair and makeup. And then I thought, wow, that makeover really brought out her beauty and was one of the best on the show. And then I got sad all over again because she retired. Love her! Also, Marshall has me wondering if I should be using thermal hair spray.

Thanks, @Txmomof2! I could have sworn that thread was closed around the show premiere, along with the current team thread. I'm heading over to get the dirt right now!

Thanks, @NMDD43! I also found it on CMT and posted the link (I found it right after I posted the question so I edited the post--you're fast!) Since there is no thread for the next episodes, I'll mention that CMT has posted an interesting (at least to me) video of Marshal and his team doing a hair consult and makeover on one of the TCCs. They showed a lot more about how they analyze each girl's hair and teach them how to keep the DCC 'do looking Texas big and DCC glam. It was an impressive makeover, too! Here is the link, but be warned, it's a bit of a spoiler--if you watch the video, you will know at least one girl who made it into training camp, and I don't remember seeing her in the first two episodes of this season: http://www.cmt.com/video-clips/dvbour/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-making-the-team-get-the-dcc-look-hair. I don't think we'll see makeovers until episode 3 or 4, so if you don't want to be spoiled at all, don't watch it. There's also a DCC makeup bonus video with Peggy (their head makeup lady) and a TCC on the CMT site. It was nice to see more of Peggy and the transformation in the TCC, but it's not what I'd call a real "how to" video because it goes through the steps so quickly. I got a couple of pointers, though.

The video of Jenna is on the CMT website--I couldn't find it anywhere on the DCC Facebook page. Here's the link for anyone who's interested: http://www.cmt.com/video-clips/098cmx/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-making-the-team-jenna-s-last-impression.

I get all the criticisms but I still just love this show--it's my guilty pleasure. I did almost puke when VK and TK did their ridiculously cheesy air guitar crap. VK has been shown winking at the camera two or three times already and is just such an immature and attention-grabbing ham that I find her so annoying that I'm nearly offended by it all. One of my very favorite moments came during the kick line audition sequence, when Judy went, "Oooo, struggle bus!" I think I nearly cried laughing and I'm going to figure out how to work that phrase into conversation. Loved the part with the vets and hearing K & J talk with Jinelle about her decision. I hope they keep up with these vets segments not only during the semis and finals episodes, but also during the rest of training camp. After watching the Jinelle stuff, I went back and watched a couple of episodes from her rookie season, including the episode where she makes the team, and I had all the feels for her. I totally rooted for her that year and it really has been lovely to see how much the organization and her peers respect and appreciate her. People in this thread have mentioned that she now works for the organization and I hope we get to see some in the show about how that came about and what her work will be! Sad about all the vets, and I think they got more of a send-off this year and last year than I've seen in previous years, both on the show and with the goodbye videos on social media. It's a nice way to emphasize that these are individuals who bring something to the DCC and not just pretty Stepford mannequins with pom poms.

I didn't realize Paris had auditioned before and had improved so much! That's awesome. I'm interested to see how she does picking up choreography quickly at semis. I actually think that, despite the editing attempt (the edit literally prompted us to look at her thru a chain link fence that signifies the "other side of the tracks"), she doesn't have a sob story. Unlike Tasha, there was no, "people said my life was over" because she had a baby. Yes, she choked up talking about losing her mom, but that's totally human. I choke up talking about losing my mom at that age, too. More striking to me are her positive attitude, backup dance gigs for Cardi B (without technical training!), her desire to inspire young women and girls to dream big no matter what, and owning her own business. Those things just don't scream sob story to me. I also liked her spunk and style and thought that, under the unflattering hair, she is pretty. I don't think there's anything wrong with the way she speaks. And I wasn't surprised that Charlotte likes the skinny blondes (including Ice Angels Maddie who has limited training) more than Paris. Charlotte definitely has a Eurocentric beauty standard and most non-white girls she approves have to come close to it to win her over, it seems. Guess I had more feelings about that than I realized! Overall, a fun episode and I'm happy the season is back. Phil rocks the house. Yes, Charlotte's pants are ugly and made her look like a circus person on stilts. Judy's botox has raised her forehead line noticeably and I don't love it. Favorite ladies seen this episode for me are Daphne, Gabby, Meredith, Dayton, reauditioning Maddie, and Paris.

Thank you! I was worried she was injured and am glad the issue is just that I couldn't see well on my tiny screen! She has become one of my favorite vets.

I don't think that Kelli admitting her regrets about Brennan necessarily signals regrets about Taryn. (I'm not saying the post above says exactly that, but there have been some comments upthread that said this following the latest Brennan preview.) I think Brennan is a better dancer and performer than Taryn, weird facials aside. Taryn did have some other issues besides her kicks, which were low, so I don't think that's all that got her cut. She kept getting called out for needing to project more energy on the field near the end of camp. Also, she did not do well at all on their media testing day, and her awkwardness with media interviews and appearances may not just have been a one time thing. As Kelli was talking about the importance of being strong with appearances and media interviews, she said that someone not doing well with this could tip the scales against a TCC if it's kind of a dead heat in deciding cuts. Right after she said this, Taryn's face was shown. Additionally, Taryn apparently cried at the veterans visit and I think that's actually a big deal to Kelli and Judy. Teary-eyed? I'm sure that's fine, as it is an emotional experience. But if she was full out crying, then that detracts mightily from what the DCC are there to do: to bring cheer and gratitude and happiness to veterans (and those currently serving). Not a good look to have one of your cheerleaders sobbing in the corner. That's the opposite of cheerleading. I think military visits and being able to trust each lady during them is one of the bigger off-the-field deals in DCC Land. On top of that, Kelli was shown talking with Judy, Melissa, and the DCC makeup lady about cameos, including Taryn's, who they were comparing to Kash and Kalyssa or Tasha. Kelli said Taryn was cute with her dancing but her face was very triangular. I take that to mean she didn't love her looks but she was cute enough not to get cut for that alone. But combine her face shape (which is a bit unique and always made her seem to me not among the more attractive TCCs) with her lagging power/energy when it counted most (on the field and near the end of camp) and her low kicks, I actually always have been on board with her cut. Do I think she is a good dancer and seems very sweet? Yes. But I 100% get why she was cut and never thought they made a bad decision. Would I have hated to see her on the team? No. Would I rather she made it over Christina? Yes. But you know who I would rather have made the team over Taryn, Brennan, and Christina? Tiger Girl Katelyn. That decision Kelli should be regretting! (Unless, as someone predicted recently, they got some unpleasant reviews of her from those who knew Katelyn.)

Did Heather perform at Oxnard? I know she traveled there with the team, but I couldn't pick her out in the performance videos I've seen. I've watched on my phone so everything is pretty small and maybe I just missed her. I'm wondering if she has an injury or something. If she was performing with the group, where was she in the formation? I kind of expected her to be prominently placed--like in Kelli's or Khaylyn's spot. (I loved Khaylyn being positioned where she was, btw!)

I really don't think that Kelli would "guarantee" a spot to VK just because she's her bestie's offspring--or for any reason, for that matter. I readily can believe, however, that VK has believed that she's got an in and that she can't imagine any outcome but stars and boots for herself. I don't really believe that she would be so dumb or arrogant, even at 18, to brag to other contestants that she's promised a spot. That doesn't mean that I don't think she flaunted her lifelong insider status during auditions or in training camp. As I posted before, her cheesy ass wink has put her firmly in my "no" column for now, but I'm willing to be open to seeing different and better sides of her as a dancer and candidate. Not holding my breath, mind you, but I'm open. As for Erin, I was not a fan of her dancing or looks last year, so I don't care either way if she makes it. I do think she looks prettier this year, and she seems to be well liked by the other TCCs, so probably has good team mate potential. Madeline seems much stronger and I hope she has matured this last year. She just seemed so young and sheltered to me. Brennan doesn't do it for me, but as I and others have posted previously, they'd be cold-hearted assholes to cut her now. Someone asked about the episodes airing on cmt.com. IIRC, they post the episode around midnight on the date the episode airs, and then it's available for anyone to watch the next day, sometimes 2 days. I usually watch the episode on their website first while waiting to be able to download from iTunes, because 1) iTunes sometimes takes forever to post new episodes (sometimes days, even though they post most episodes by 2 am or so; 2) sometimes you can hear the original music from the episode in those 1st 24 hours online; & 3) iTunes sometimes cuts scenes, so watching immediately online lets me see the whole episode, even if it's just the one time.

I. Can't. Wait. For. Thursday!!! With such a lock down on social media and tidbits from training camp, I have virtually no clue about any of the rookies and I'm so excited to get my first real look at them. ? And Nick F as a judge!

I always want to see group leaders doing their thing more than has been shown. I want to see how the groups and leaders are chosen in a meeting w/ K & J, and I would love to see the 1st and 2nds leading practice. Especially after the drama of last year, it would be nice to get more insight into what it takes to be a great group leader. I don't mind some introductions to ladies who don't make it to training camp. If they only give interviews and backgrounds for ladies who make it, then there is zero suspense about who gets cut. I definitely agree that it sucks when, once camp starts, cmt focuses mostly or heavily on the strugglers and those who ultimately get cut. The Morgan Show, etc. I'd much rather have gotten to see and "know" more of the rookies, especially the rockstar ones. I think cmt has done a better job on this in recent seasons. So excited for the premiere and the season!

The calendar cover is the prettiest Kelli has ever looked to me. Good for her! I've never been a fan of her look, but I am glad to see that she is getting more props this year on the cover and as a second leader. She is an excellent dancer and I bet a great team mate, plus she worked so long to make the team, so it's nice to see the PTB are acknowledging her presence and contributions to the team. I will wait till I'm not looking at the calendars on my phone to render judgment about the other photos--but even in the tiny square on my screen it looked like Savannah was taking off her bottoms and looking uncomfortable about it (though I suppose it could have felt* like a sexy look she was trying to make). As for rotating point among the leaders or the triangle, I'm not that into the idea. Yes, I'd love to see Lacey get her turn at point because I think she'd be excellent in that spot, but in recent years, point girl keeps point until she retires. If Kash retires this year and Lacey stays (please do this, ladies!) I'd expect Lacey to be the next point. Logistics of rotating aside, I'm not into the idea of Maddie or Amy at point at all. I still don't love Maddie's look, especially her big teeth smile, and I just can't imagine them putting her in the most filmed and photographed position. I feel similarly but less strongly about Amy. Both ladies will get plenty of camera time on the sidelines as group leaders, and as far as performance charisma and DCC glam, I think Kash, Lacey, Heather, and Gina are head and shoulders over those two. Probably others too. Gah, I miss Maggie! I feel like she would have been in the triangle this year. Sigh. How dare she move to be with her family and move on with her life??

I believe that CMT unlocked season 12 to try to promote the new season, so I think everyone should be able to access the season now whether or not they subscribe to cmt with their cable. Probably a limited time deal. I can't wait for the new season and to get to see these rookies dance! Btw, Lauren looks amazing in her bikini and the other vets are probably relieved she didn't do the calendar shoot because it's likely those abs would have snagged one of the 12 months up for grabs! I'd love to see Kayhlyn, Heather O, Tess, Lacey, Yuko, Alexis and Lexie get months. When is the calendar release, anyway? I thought it usually was during training camp.

I like Gina better as a blonde, but I don't like her extensions. Lacey looked great with her golden-red highlights last year but I agree it's a bit too light now. I was hoping to see Rachel on Show Group.

That was a pretty juicy preview hinting at some good drama and tea, and it definitely got me pumped about the new season! And I'm so excited for the episodes with Nick Florez as a judge and guest choreographer and for Travis Wall! Great shots of Gina, Heather O, Alexis and Savannah. Of course, Kashara comes out looking adorable. Kelsey's jump split near the end looks so flexed and clunky that I can't believe they used that shot. Not a good look. If they brought Brennan in for a third year, made her a feature of this preview & season, AND cut her in the final weeks/days of her third training camp, then they are just too, too cruel and total assholes. I'm thinking now that Brennan makes it. I hope Malena (is that her name?) makes it! She is so pretty and cute and she just seems to radiate something positive. Plus, they seriously need some more women of color on the team. Are Khalyn, Lacey, and Yuko the only women of color among the vets in camp? I hope I'm forgetting some people, 'cause that's not a lot. As for Victoria and Dayton: I can't stand that cheesy-ass wink Victoria does for the camera while looking at what appears to be her own reflection. Her hair is ridiculous in that shot. I was trying to reserve judgment about her, but somehow that moment strongly suggests to me an unlikable conceit and self-absorption. But that's just my gut reaction and we'll see what the season reveals about her dancing and personality. As for the implied drama with Jay, I wonder if that somehow has to do with Dayton getting cut... ? Right after he says "if you're laughing you, you'll probably be the one who goes home," the camera shows Dayton with her mouth hanging open in surprise. I hope I'm wrong and Jay is calling out someone else--who is it??--and Dayton's just watching the drama unfold front of her in shock.