A new documentary on Netflix has left viewers in shock since its release at the end of June.
The seven-episode series offers an unprecedented look at one of the most iconic cheerleading teams in the world, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Audiences were given a candid view of the inner workings of the organisation as it chronicled the process undertaken by director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell in selecting the 2023-2024 squad members.
Spanning from the gruelling auditions to the season's climactic final game, the show also zooms in on individual stories, including rookie Reece Allman and seasoned member Kelcey Wetterberg, who was with the team for five years before deciding to retire.
Yet, some of the more shocking disclosures within the series have left viewers appalled.
Now climbing the ranks in Netflix's Top 10, the revelation that the cheerleaders receive meagre pay has particularly stunned audiences.
Former cheerleader Kat Puryear reflected on her earnings during her time with the team in 2022, stating: "I would say I'm making like...a substitute teacher, I would say I'm making...like a Chick-fil-A worker who works full time."
The documentary highlights the dual lives of some cheerleaders, who must balance full-time employment alongside their demanding rehearsal schedules.
One viewer took to Twitter to express their shock at the Netflix documentary "America's Sweethearts" about the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders, stating: "Watching "America's Sweethearts" about the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders on Netflix and my God, this needed a trigger warning. So upsetting, but I cannot stop watching."
Another viewer was outraged by the low pay the cheerleaders receive from the million-dollar company, venting: "Absolutely disgusting that a million dollar company pays the cheerleaders so little but expects them at their beck and call for promotional events. Pay your employees what they deserve."
A third viewer expressed their anger after watching the last episode of the documentary, tweeting: "I'm on the last episode of the @dallascowboys cheerleaders documentary and I'm enraged. I knew I should not have started watching. Girls can't get paid. No justice for getting groped. This is AWFUL."
Despite the shocking revelations, some viewers praised the show and the cheerleaders' talents. One person tweeted: "Didn't want to watch the Dallas cowboy cheerleader documentary because I know that drama, "sisterhood", and the f***ing fakeness that comes with it. BUT it is actually VERY good and these ladies are so supportive and sweet. So amazing to see in such a competitive space."
The documentary, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
