The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders just got their first Kiwi star: Faith Ward’s viral journey

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have always been iconic, but with the release of Netflix’s docu-series, “America’s Sweethearts” last summer, they’ve gotten even more famous on a global scale. The show made its debut last summer and premiered the second season this June.

Season two featured the squad from the 2024-25 season, so if there is to be a third season - which we expect there will - then filming would be going on right now for the 2025-26 season. And we expect one girl to be a main feature.

The DCC gets its first Kiwi

Faith Ward, a 22-year-old dancer originally from Wellington, New Zealand, has made history as the first Kiwi to join the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC). Now based in Perth, Ward - known on social media as “Flexi Faith” - stood out among thousands of applicants to earn one of just six rookie spots on the 36-member squad for the 2025 NFL season.

Ward’s journey included submitting dance videos and choreography before being flown to Texas for live auditions. She shared the emotional moment of making the team on her growing social media channels, calling it her “dream job.” Born with double-jointed hips and a background in cruise ship performance, Ward has been dancing professionally since she was 18.

“Can’t believe I’m actually writing this… I’m officially a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader! ⭐️😭 I’m proud to be the first New Zealand DCC and the fourth Aussie to join the team 🇳🇿🇦🇺 So beyond grateful and blessed to turn my biggest dream into a reality," Ward wrote on social media.

“America’s Sweethearts” has shone a global spotlight on the demanding and glamorous world of NFL cheerleading. So far, the first and second seasons have premiered in June, the summer after the previous NFL season had ended, so we can expect to see Ward on season 3 in June 2026.

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