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Jacie looks fab as always! I think Victoria looks prettier there than I've seen her look before. I think she's one who will grow into her looks a bit in her early 20s. I'm starting to catch on to who some of the TCCs are. Thanks so much to those who are sleuthing and posting with names! I'm still feeling salty about the cuts, but it helps that I'm starting to get a sense of the RCs (that's rookie candidates for those who don't like TCCs). That way, I'm not just resenting faceless people I imagine took veteran spots in my mind--they become actual people who I want to do well, because in general, I like to cheer for people rather than against them. Plus, given who they cut, I'm expecting an incredibly talented and glamorous rookie class and squad this year!

What did you hear about Heather that you hope isn't true? I'm still so upset about her cut! And Allie's. And because I'm upset, I'm going to be honest and say something probably unpopular here. I think both ladies are prettier and maybe better dancers than the beloved Maddie, who has a straight waist and looks more like a little girl than either cut vet. I liked watching A and H way more than Maddie. The girl is all teeth when she smiles and while "cute," she has zero sex appeal to me. I always figured Maddie had made the team in spite of her looks, and I appreciate that they take on quality ladies whose stellar qualities are about more than their looks. So cutting two of that class's best dancers and smartest ladies over looks (especially given the tight yet curvy figure Heather has) while letting Maddie or Milan back on the squad, to me, is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, Maddie has grown on me and she made me a moderate fan of hers, but she just doesn't look like a DCC to me. I'm not saying I wish Maddie didn't make it--I'm glad she did!--but I just don't see why these two Barbie winners didn't and will be watching for a serious explanation come episode 2.

I'd love to see some of Bess's solo, and of course the ladies we think got cut. But I'm pretty sure it was a picture of Bess in her red outfit and ponytail that I saw on Twitter where she was doing a floor maneuver and everyone looked totally captivated. Erica's mouth was like, "Oooo," and others you could tell were dropping their jaws like they'd all seen something incredible. I'm impressed when Erica is impressed with somebody's moves! (I recall this was a post where they of course didn't tag or give names, but after seeing more solo pics of everyone's costume, I'm pretty sure it was Bess.) I think she's kind of flown under the radar in that she's not shown dancing that much. But she's always got such clean lines in her dance photos, is very articulate and pretty, has an amazing figure, and is one of the more mature DCC. I'd love to see her be a second leader this year (along with Robin and Kashara, and I'm predicting Holly). I like Stephanie for the job, too. I know, I just named five ladies when there are only four slots. But whatevs, I like them all!

I kind of feel like, can't you do your own makeup for an interview? Having a makeup artist for this seems a bit much. If the artist did it for free, I guess that's different and free advertising for her. They look lovely because they both are gorgeous girls, but they look like they have SO MUCH makeup on. My eyelids feel heavy looking at the closeup shots. I forget how much makeup these girls wear!

There's radio silence on just about all (or maybe all) of the DCC Twitter pages and the few Instagram pages I checked. So do y'all think they're going to forbid DCC and TCCs from posting on social media all summer and leave the cut vets' accounts up? That just seems so...extreme. If not, then what's the point of the enforced silence? I need to know which girls to be sad for and mad about! Also, without the fan vote, I really have almost no idea of who the rookies are, except for the few I recognized in the DJEJ pic, like Christina (yawn), Brenna (sweet girl but not a DCC looker to me), and Celinda (maybe she's improved but my memory of her is meh). Meaning, I don't really have rookies to be excited about yet, except for those I think are pretty. I hardly know their names and can't get that worked up to root for looks alone. I guess they're trying to keep the excitement for the show, but come on. Give me something, Kelli! Ultimate Cheerleaders! Somebody!

Ugh, the mystery of it all. I need some confirmation and an official training camp picture! ?

I'm feeling so sad about the alleged veteran cuts! (I'm saying alleged because I'm holding out hope for definitive proof that nullifies these awful rumors and my distress.) I know several folks predicted Allie being on the bubble, but I think she's very pretty, an incredible dancer, had gotten into solid shape with more defined abs and waistline, and had the makings of a long term vet and leader. Both Allie and Heather were great ambassadors and such engaging performers, and clearly they were loved by their team, which I think should count for a lot. The fact that they seem to have cut Allie, Heather H, and Raylee while keeping vets like Milan (whose face and body I've never thought were very DCC) and taking in candidates like Christina, who looks and acts and dances so mousy, UPSETS and shocks me. Blah Celinda over Heather?! Blech. I'm a Jessika fan, but I don't see the rationale for keeping her, with the same straight torso and lesser performance power and technique, over Allie or Heather. I know I'm going to be more pissed when the first episodes drop and I see the rookies who don't have a prayer of making it and think, you let those vets go to make room for these people?! I felt that way about that rookie candidate Carla several years ago, who wasn't even coordinated enough to do sexy hips (how basic can you be?) and posed for nudie pics for her skanky boyfriend. I got why they had let the vets who'd gained so much visible weight go, and I tend to agree with veteran cuts more often than not, but I kept thinking, what made this girl seem like a more viable or more appealing candidate than Megan Michelle? Um, nothing. I didn't even care that much for Megan, but she clearly was a more talented and trained dancer and a decent rep for the DCC than hot-mess Carla. I feel way more strongly about Allie and Heather, and to a lesser degree, Raylee. Gah! ? I feel badly for Dayton (and Shelly), but will be rooting for her next year. I'm already Team Dayton, but I'm not yet sold on her bestie, Victoria K. Not that my opinion matters at all to these foolish judges. Which is another way in which they've erred, of course...

I'm just hoping it wasn't full-on flashing from the malfunction. Poor thing. Holly's a pro, though, so while she may be embarrassed her post suggests that she knows how to roll with it. I highly doubt that such a thing would jeopardize her spot.

Kelsey didn't just have a bad moment or two from nerves in her first interviews. She flat out knew nothing about football or the Cowboys. For at least 2 years in a row. From remarks made by Kristi Scales last year during deliberations, it sounds as though she'd also bombed the written tests those previous years, or at least the football section of the test. So, while it may have sounded harsh (and the bacon comment was totally stupid), I think it was reasonable and appropriate for Kelli to let her know that she had serious qualms about Kelsey's ability to represent the organization and be trusted on appearances. To Kelsey's credit, she appears to have studied seriously and worked hard at her dancing. She has beauty and natural talent but needed to train hard to develop strong technique, precision, and dance memory. I must say, she has won me over, and I had been as skeptical as Kelli. But she's shown maturity and a solid work ethic to achieve her goal with grace and that definitely impresses me. I hope she makes it back! Speaking of the written test, I'd love to see a clip showing a page from the exam while it's being taken or who killed it and who bombed it in the finals or 1st meeting episode this year. Remember season 3, when Kelli handed out Fs to a bunch of the vets and TCCs in the 1st team meeting? That was like the 2nd episode I ever watched of the show and was the first thing that made me think, wow these people are serious! Nicole Hamilton didn't know what division the Boys played in, and in that vet locker room meeting, Kelli made Nicole cry telling her she wouldn't defend that. That was the moment she let vets know that they could be cut from camp if they didn't bring it hard and they all got freaked out about it.

I highly doubt that Jinelle never, ever socializes with the other DCC. This team appears to be the central focus of her life and the reason she's living in the US. Granted, she may not be in tons of posted social pictures, but not all of the cheerleaders post all their social and daily activities to share with the world. She probably isn't a club-hopper, but Jinelle seems so beloved by her team mates that it's hard to imagine that they feel that way about her while she remains aloof from them. I also think she's a solid team dancer, with lots of energy, precision, and serious flexibility. I love how much the team and brass seem to love her, actually. I'm excited for her to be a group leader this year!

It seems like they've kept the banner girls from year to year until they retire. Schram, Kinzie, Veronica, Mia, etc. Erica has been on it two years running. Since neither Erica, nor Kashara or Robin are retiring, I imagine it might stay the same. That seems a little boring though! But how do they suddenly boot girls from the banner who still are on the team if they haven't before? I guess, just do it. But I'd hate to see any of those three demoted--they're all gorgeous and excellent DCCs.

To change the subject back to the thread & away from the seemingly uncertain elephant in the room (I don't know that I really know what folks are/not talking about above), can I say that I am enjoying the veteran farewells on Twitter? I like that they're posting farewell letters, photo highlights, and starting to post those lovely videos where the retiring vets say goodbye. Jenn J's was the most eloquent so far, I think, but I love Jessica's too. I'm such a fan of both, and I thought they wrote the most charming and heartfelt retirement letters of the bunch. I haven't seen if they've posted videos for Amy T, Jax, Danielle, or Claire yet,but I certainly hope they do the same for everyone else who's leaving. OK, just scrolled down and saw the rest of the videos on the twitter page. Can I say how much I dislike the Cowboys website? It only shows some of the DCC videos, stories, and photos at a time and is not especially searchable or user friendly. ?

Count me among the Lacey fans! I've actually been surprised that she hasn't been made more of a cover/MTT banner/promo girl yet, because Kelli and Judy love her dancing so much, she's gorgeous, wholesome, one of few Latinas, and she's been on Show Group since rookie year. I'm hoping that, like Jessica, she gets her recognition in her more senior DCC years. I thought she should have been in Kinzie's old spot behind point last year, where Erica often was hidden, because she is so great and one of the taller girls. I hope that's where she is in this year's triangle! It's a much- photographed position. I'd love to see her lead-off or close solos, and I expect she will be a group leader this year. As for putting vets in each interview group, I have a theory that it's a similar strategy as the finals dance auditions groups, minus the hair color. Weaker vets (or those thought to be on the bubble) are in groups with a solid vet as a means of comparison, in terms of knowledge, speaking/interpersonal skills, and other ambassador-worthy qualities. IIRC, most of the vets who've been shown bombing interviews had strong vets in their group (ie, Caila, Alyssa T, Kat). To some upthread comments about girls who do or don't know if they're on the bubble: I asked @ShellyB if the bubble vets get notified about areas that need improvement to stay on the team or if they might get urged to retire. She said that everyone gets an evaluation at the end of the year, which would address such issues, and that, to her knowledge, they've never urged someone not to try out again. So, surely they have a clue, unless, as others have said, they just don't care to hear it. (I'm thinking of Ashley Pro, for example, who tearfully told the camera that, "I don't understand" about the veteran cuts, and I was like, did you really not know how off your dancing was and how "out of shape" you'd gotten? She definitely had jiggle and looked thicker in her solo costume and audition uniform, fell early out of turns and her tumbling, had dreck kicks, and spaced on choreo. It's ok to be sad and even a little surprised they really cut her, but what's not to understand?) That said, I'd love to see this be as year that all the vets make it to Training Camp! Bloodbaths make for good TV drama (hello, Game of Thrones), but they make me sad, even when I see why particular vets got cut.

Yeah, I figured Amy T was retiring because of weight and career ambition. Part of what makes her so sexy in appearance is her curves, especially her hips, but I figured she was tired of working so hard to keep them trim. I know she wanted her MBA, so maybe with her bestie retiring she thought it was time to move on too. A very impressive young lady and performer! I wish she were staying another year. As for Allie, I'm not worried about her at all. I think she's upped her glam factor and seems to be rocking a newly toned figure that now gets Kelli's approval. Good for her! She's smart, a fabulous dancer, seems very personable and responsible, and I think she's pretty. I imagine she'll be a great DCC for a few years, maybe even a second leader by next year.

The fan vote may not have been a true reflection of fan choice and more about social media popularity/savvy, but I'm with those who liked the advanced glimpse of the rookie candidates. It's what first put DCCs like Mary, Heather H, and Heather O on my radar. I also liked actually getting to see some of the girls dance who didn't end up being shown dancing on the show. Plus, it did kind of reveal which returning candidates had or had not improved significantly in their choreo retention or "performance power and projection." Sigh.

Thanks to everyone who posted (and keeps posting) pics and updates from auditions! It definitely looks like a solid group of rookie candidates will give the vets a run for their money this year. I didn't know that @ShellyB's daughter was trying out (along with 99% of the rest of these ladies). She is beautiful and looks so much like her mom! I wish her the best of luck with finals and hope she makes it to TC. I also hope she doesn't get a bunch of hate for being the daughter of DCC leadership, a la a certain CT. If we're comparing daughters of DCC "royalty," I pick little Bramhall over Victoria K any day, as Dayton appears to be a stronger performer with DCC style than Victoria. (I get it that V is a year younger and not trying out til next year.) They may have had lower audition numbers this year, but with 80+ ladies going into finals, it appears that the quality of rookie candidates was quite high. This probably makes for less footage for the "did these ladies really try out?" segment in every premiere episode, but I think that's a great trade for more strong candidates. Don't get me wrong--I love that segment. But I love watching kickass dancers more. It looks like a reasonably diverse group going to finals--several pretty women of color who appear to be strong dancers and some blondes who might boost the diminished DCC ranks in those categories. I especially hope some of these Latinas make it to camp, as I've always thought it odd how few are on this Texas team at any given time. I don't see Heather H as a bubble vet at all. I think she's a very strong dancer and has grown into her looks a bit--she was super cute when she tried out last year but I agree that she's stepped up the glam and she is in incredible shape. I doubt Tasha is on the bubble either. Really, the main vet I wonder about is Selina, because she looked a bit thicker in the middle while on the calendar shoot than I recalled from training camp or season pics. I've not been very convinced that she's a mean girl or can't control her meltdowns, so that's not my reason for worrying she's on the bubble. I guess I also wonder about Milan, because she never had that dcc look to me, but she has a great work ethic--and that fancy home dance studio at her parents' house to practice in and years of dance training to go with it. I think she's gotten more glam over the course of the year, but is one of few among last year's rookies who I didn't think really had the DCC look. So excited for interviews and finals news and pics! These ladies better know who the president is, be able to name a single book they've read, and that Jerry Jones was chosen for the football HOF this year. But truth--I also always enjoy the awful interviews segment in the finals episode. I just can't imagine showing up to an interview being so clueless about the organization or world.

The young lady above is indeed cute--and she is significantly more fit than last year. Am I right in thinking she's the one who had a mini-meltdown tirade about girls who made it to Training Camp who only had tried out on a whim? If so, she has much to prove about maturity and trustworthiness as a potential organization ambassador. I must say, her Instagram handle makes me wonder. I'm not always sure what to think about people who feel they have to tell everyone that they're a "cutie," or hot, sexy, sassy, or whatever. Her handle makes me wonder if she's insecure or incredibly (overly?) confident. The handle plus last year's meltdown make me wonder if she has some sense of entitlement or inflated ego, or if she's all about herself rather than being a team player. If you really are those things (cutie, sexy, etc), I should notice that without having to be told. (I feel this way about Tasha's trophy t-shirt too.)

@ShellyB are vets who are at risk of getting cut at the next audition season given warnings or sometimes encouraged to retire? Or is it presumed that the feedback and notes they get throughout the season should give them enough of a clue as to the precariousness of their position on the squad? I'm thinking about vets who gained weight/get in less-than-spectacular shape, haven't improved in performance power or choreo retention/precision over the year as they were expected to do, bend rules, or appear to slack off in some way. If they announce their intent to reaudition, do the powers that be say nothing, or do they let these vets know, hey, if you want to come back, you need to address x, y, or z to have a real shot?

Unclear, and a good question. I didn't think it sounded like the offer came before the desire to be a DCC, or rather, that's how the editing read to me. But we already know the editing made her also seem like this single mom we should cheer on in the first episode, so I don't know how to read any of that.

I like all three of these ladies! I think Chantel is the most gorgeous of the three and has an incredible figure (those abs!)--though I do find her implants to be a bit...much. I think she has a beautiful smile and a unique look with her curls. As I've written before, I am a Mandy fan (fabulous dancer, small business owner, very pretty, confident without seeming conceited, seems sugary sweet in a genuine way), but I regularly think she's too heavy handed with the makeup. She always looks prettier and younger to me when she doesn't look like it's been pancaked on, especially the eyes. I also have wondered if she uses botox, because her eyebrows sometimes have that "West Coast arch" to them (hello, RHOBH). Her brows look more pointed at certain times than others, which would be a sign of being between injections. I was won over by Kelli this season, but for her dancing and what seems to be her sweet personality, not because I think she has that DCC look (the body, yes). Her body is so tight, but maybe could use a couple of pounds. She posted something @ getting ready for calendar shoot, and I thought, wow, I hope she doesn't slim down at all through this "getting ready" for calendar business, as I think she treads the line of thin/too thin. Several years ago folks here were pondering why she hadn't made training camp, and some speculated that her thinness made her look a bit older. I agreed, and I also think the heavy, heavy, heavy make up she wears ages her a bit too. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to keep her eyes open, her eye makeup looks so freaking heavy. So, please, Kelli, don't overdo this bikini-ready enterprise! I've become a fan of hers, and admire the hell outta her abs and even more her determination to go after her dreams, but I do cringe a little sometimes at the makeup and 1% body fat effect on women of a certain age. I bet all three of these women would look gorgeous (and younger) with light beachy makeup and some gently done hair on calendar shoot. I think for beach pictures almost everyone looks better in softer makeup and palettes. Tons of makeup in the sweaty sun just seems silly, and hides the natural beauty of the cheerleaders.

@TiaGrace, thanks for the link about Royesha! She definitely is my #1 rookie candidate who didn't make it to Training Camp who I want to see back and better. She does need to improve her kicks and splits, and tone up her tummy a *tiny bit for that unforgiving HD screen. But I think she's gorgeous, has a great performance presence, smarts, and the team player attitude I like. She and Maggie were filmed together during auditions, so I hope she gets some good pointers and encouragement from one of my favorite rookies of last year. Her Blazer page says she's never had ballet, and it shows, so if she's reauditioning (please do!), she should be hitting some technique classes regularly. I'm not a fan, but I don't see Tasha in jeopardy of getting cut and I would be surprised if she didn't reaudition, since her family relocated to DFW so she could be a DCC. Seems like a lot of upheaval for a single year of glory-be. I do think Kelsey could be on the bubble if her choreo pickup isn't significantly stronger, but given her lack of training, she clearly has a born-to-dance streak and it's possible she's improved greatly this year. I did see one video, though, of her in a dance class with Stephanie and Sheridan, and Kelsey was not killing it. She and Sheridan both looked soft and weaker, while Stephanie definitely was rocking the evening's choreo like a vet should. I'm eager to see who all goes on calendar shoot so we can know for sure who's reauditioning! Plus, I get my spring break beach trip vicariously and for free.

Very glad she's trying out again, but wow, Kelli Q has nothing "to get ready for," as far as I can tell. She's always so ripped and toned. I hope she doesn't slim down at all through this "getting ready" for calendar shoot business, as I think she treads the line of thin/too thin. Several years ago folks here were pondering why she hadn't made training camp, and some speculated that her thinness made her look a bit older. I agreed, and I also think the heavy, heavy make up she wears ages her a bit too. So, please, Kelli, don't overdo this bikini-ready enterprise! I've become a fan of hers, and admire the hell outta her abs, but I do cringe a little sometimes at the makeup and 1% body fat effect on such an impressive woman and performer. I'd love to see her from a shoot with toned-down beachy makeup. My guess is she'd look prettier, fresher and more youthful.

@QuiteContraryMoni, when you do try out we'll all be rooting for you, on here and then on MTT! Could you wear the fur hat in your profile pic at the audition so that we know it's you? I hope Jinelle does reaudition, and I don't think she'd be too lost without her rookie classmates. She seems like one of the most beloved members of the team, so I imagine she has meaningful bonds and relationships with several other DCCs. She should have 2 more years on her visa, and she lovvvvvvves the DCC, so if her health holds up, hey, why not go for one more year and get to finish up as a group leader? I think she said she cheered 6 or 7 years in Australia. She's already cheered for nearly a dozen years! That's an incredibly long time to cheer or dance professionally. If she doesn't return, I wonder who the 4th group leader would be? Excited but not surprised that Maggie is reauditioning. I could see her being in it for the long haul. I hope so! She's a great performer and just seems so sweet. And she's adorbs. I can't really think of anyone from this team I wouldn't want to see back. Um, well, I guess I wouldn't be sad at all if Tasha didn't come back, but I imagine she will since her whole family moved to Dallas so she could do this. And I guess Megan, if she can't get "uniform ready." I want her to get it together, though, because I love watching her dance. I feel like the swimsuit trip will be very telling and a good predictor of potential audition weight issues. And I totally want to see Erica at point!

I personally thought her head shake and smirk while explaining to the camera that "I don't read much" was a sign of unabashed ignorance--I don't read and I don't care!--that I find very un-DCC worthy. I also thought she looked clunky in her solo, though that may have been the huge boots she was wearing, which were not flattering on someone her height. I didn't find her very pretty before she opened her mouth, and well, not afterwards either. Kelsey was ignorant about football. This girl's ignorance goes way beyond that. She couldn't name a single author or book, and she has to be a high school graduate. I'm all, later for her. I would be very disappointed to see her in training camp. I mean, the DCC have had PhDs on the team. To me, Hunter doesn't come close to meeting the team standard anywhere besides the dance floor. She definitely would be an "ambassador risk," as Kelli would say, not someone to trust speaking to the media, fans, or sponsors.

Thanks so much for posting the halftime performance, @dalgal214! I thought they looked great, and I really liked that it was a dance-oriented halftime rather than a get-500-people-on-the-field-&-do-stunts-&-unroll-banners kind of halftime, which is what I tend to think of some of their "big" game performances like Halloween or BCA. I absolutely loved the drum majors and thought Jordan's choreo looked great. It all blended so well with that hip hop drum line number from training camp, which I also love. Everyone looked sharp and like they were having fun. I think that was a great highlight to end the season with for the DCC--a killer performance at home during a truly great playoff game.