Season 3 of "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" premiered on Netflix on June 16, and one storyline has captivated fans: the journey of Oregon dancer Emily Awbrey through the rigorous audition process. She advanced from 81 finalists to 44 training camp hopefuls but was ultimately cut before securing a spot on the 2025-26 squad. After a year of hard work, she is back for another chance.
Who is Emily Awbrey and Where is She From?
Awbrey grew up in Medford, Oregon, and began dancing almost as soon as she could walk. Her mother runs Fusion Dance Academy in Grants Pass, so the studio became a second home. She trained in ballet, contemporary, and modern styles, and started choreographing and teaching dance at a young age. "It really became a second home for me," she said in a September 2025 Facebook post.
She attended the University of Arizona and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in May 2024. Instead of a typical post-graduation path, she joined Royal Caribbean and spent nearly a year dancing professionally on cruise ships, until her DCC audition led her in a new direction. "The cruise ship life is like no other," she said on the show. "It's been the craziest experience ever."
Why Was Emily Awbrey Cut from DCC Training Camp?
After finals, Awbrey seemed a sure bet. Director Kelli Finglass called her "a brilliant dancer" and said she was "one of the strongest dance technicians in the entire audition." However, training camp posed new challenges, and Awbrey struggled to master the DCC's signature pom style. She was the first dancer Finglass and Trammell pulled aside for a difficult conversation. "We're not seeing the confidence that we saw at finals," Finglass told her. "But we see the potential, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."
She survived two rounds of cuts. Cowboys co-owner Charlotte Jones even helped evaluate the remaining dancers and praised Awbrey's high kicks, calling them "the best kicks on the field by far." Nevertheless, Awbrey was cut in the third round, one of three dancers released that day. Finglass said she had been a "personal favorite," and both coaches encouraged her to return. "I'd be disappointed if you don't try out again," Finglass said. Trammell added, "You've got us on your side." Awbrey replied, "I would love to re-audition. And I absolutely will see you back at round one."
What is Emily Awbrey Doing Now in 2026?
After her cut, Awbrey relied on her support system, traveling to Nashville with her boyfriend Jackson and visiting Dallas to watch the Cowboys play. "Finally got to watch my girls in action," she posted. She also returned home to teach hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz at Fusion Dance Academy. "I couldn't be happier to be back teaching and choreographing for our students this year," she wrote.
She never stopped pursuing a second chance. Awbrey took DCC prep classes in February, submitted her online audition in March, and spent months perfecting the pom technique that had tripped her up. Her efforts paid off. In June, she made it back to finals and was named one of 14 rookie candidates for the 2026-27 training camp, placing her back in contention for a spot on the squad.
