America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

I really liked it, I love dance. It was an interesting insight into their universe. I understand that Texas is a conservative state but for me there was way too much God talk. It was not something I expected to come up so much. Didn't need to see them going to a super church. I watched the first show on Country Music TV and thought that was better.

I felt so sorry for Victora, I wanted to give her a big hug. I really liked that they put focus on mental health and showed that even girls who look perfect can have issues and be insecure.

The focus though on religion would put me off watching next season, I fast forwarded past the church scenes. Its too much.

Meant by those involved to paint the organization in a positive light, I felt this series highlighted the misogyny, the exploitation, and the objectification of these women. Paid a repugnantly small salary, these women devote their time and destroy their bodies to be part of something that is frankly beneath them. Many of them are highly educated, most of them have had years and years of formal dance training. Surely they can do better than this. But as one of the veterans said, they had "drank the Gatorade". Eye-opening for those of us unfamiliar with the franchise and worth watching as it exemplifies one of the ways in which the patriarchy is still alive and well, and how some women are perpetuating it.

This 7 part doco is a well funded story that looks good and does well. It has all the structure, flesh and hallmarks of what that old pamphlet "How to make a documentary for Netflix", required.

Thing is though - if this is what America is all about, then geez! We're doomed.

It would have been good if the producers could have shown some of the love and community that apparently they are famous for, but No. It was absent.

Not without content though - In the last reunion episode we had a lady that was an original 70 model, currently battling and surviving from ovarian cancer.

Would have been good to see how the DCC came together and supported this sister.

But no, there is no footage or record of that,...because it didn't and doesn't happen.

America and it's values take centre stage here. We're screwed.

$25k a year to sell your soul and body to a billionaire. Maybe that's what Hollywood has always been too. Being cut for being too short, or smiling the wrong way, or not having the '"it factor". Hollywood. Hip replacement at 25 years old? All for the honour and joy of being part of a sisterhood. But for $25k a year? Netflix owns the global franchise for sports and entertainment exposes and this one is as good as Drive to Survive in its own way. Utterly compelling. The steely inhumanity of The Owner is probably normal for corporate America, But is it acceptable? Slave labour in todays world isn't right.....

My favorite documentaries are the ones that don't need to explain everything for you and just show you things as they are, letting you form your own opinion. "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" on Netflix does precisely that, peeling back the glittery facade to reveal a world teeming with misogyny, toxicity, and emotionless aliens in human form. We witness super talented women being worked to the bone, paid next to nothing, and yet being told this is a "privilege" and a "job." The stark contrast between the glamorous image and the harsh reality is jarring, and will leave you cringing and in awe at the exploitation masked as opportunity (ESPECIALLY if you're a feminist).

This documentary is both heartbreaking and infuriating, a bittersweet yet important watch. It touches on subjects of mental health, depression, toxic environments, generational trauma, eating disorders, and even suicide. The treatment of these women is a devastating reflection of the broader societal issues at play. "America's Sweethearts" doesn't just entertain; it forces a necessary conversation about the costs of maintaining a facade of perfection at the expense of human well-being.