NEED TO KNOW
In season 2 of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dayton Bramhall auditioned for the team for the third time
Dayton is the daughter of DCC alum and associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall
After being cut during training camp in 2024, Dayton returned to audition for the 2025-2026 season
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders spotlights rookies chasing their lifelong dream of making the iconic team — including legacy Dayton Bramhall.
Season 2 of the Netflix docuseries, which was released on June 18, followed a new group of rookies auditioning for a coveted place in training camp and a chance to join the final roster. While some were new to Dallas, others, like Dayton, had already auditioned for the Cowboys Cheerleaders.
During the new episodes, viewers saw Dayton — who is the daughter of DCC associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall — return to audition for the team for a third time.
“I think I was doing it for all the wrong reasons the first time,” Dayton said during season 2 of the docuseries. “This time around is a time where I really want to do this and I want to be here, and I want to prove myself, and I want to be better.”
After earning a spot in training camp, Dayton was ultimately cut again — leading to an emotional conversation with director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell, who have known her since childhood.
So, where is Dayton Bramhall now? Here’s everything to know about the DCC legacy’s life now — and whether she made the 2025-26 team.
Who is Dayton Bramhall?
Dayton Bramhall/Instagram
Dayton Bramhall and her mom, Shelly Bramhall.
Raised in McKinney, Texas, Dayton has been associated with the DCC since her birth. Her mom Shelly, who is the team’s associate choreographer, was part of the DCC class of 1989 and was pregnant with Dayton during her final year before retirement.
Dayton has been dancing since she was 3 years old, per her studio The Young Company’s website.
In season 2 of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, viewers watched as Dayton auditioned for a spot on the squad for a third time. Dayton was previously seen trying out on CMT’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team in 2018.
“Getting cut did kind of leave some scar tissue there,” she said during season 2 of America’s Sweethearts.
During the 2024 auditions, Shelly watched from the balcony as Dayton performed her solo for the panel of judges. Dayton then made it to training camp, but was cut during the fourth episode of the docuseries.
Why did Dayton Bramhall get cut during DCC training camp?
Dayton Bramhall/Instagram
Dayton Bramhall during DCC training camp.
Like nearly every rookie, Dayton received feedback during training camp, including to have “more power behind every step.” Throughout training camp, Dayton shared that she was struggling to memorize the dance routines.
“I definitely need to work on memorizing a few dances,” she said. “There’s one that just won’t stick in my body, but I’ll get it.”
Finglass added, “She obviously always does beautiful solos, but then when you get in that room and it comes down to some of those words that we say a lot, ‘Power, projection, precision and the strength.’ She’s not keeping up with the momentum of learning all the routines.”
Finglass and Trammell then called a meeting with Dayton, telling her they wanted to give her the “best chance to be successful.”
“None of us want you to make this team just because you have a history. You need to earn to make this team,” Finglass told Dayton.
The young legacy — who at that point was not ranked among the top 36 who would make the team — promised to come back stronger next week.
But as cuts continued, Finglass and Trammell recruited the four group leaders — including Jada Mclean, Chandi Dayle, Megan McElaney and Armani Latimer — to give their input on the rookies. During the meeting, the veterans unanimously felt as though Dayton would struggle as part of the team.
In the emotional conversation in which Dayton was cut from training camp, Finglass said it would be a “disservice to have [her] make this team and the struggle be all year.”
Where does Dayton’s mom Shelly stand with Kelli and Judy?
Courtesy of Netflix
Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell in ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ season 2.
Given Shelly’s longtime role on the DCC staff, she shares a close relationship with Finglass and Trammell — as do their daughters. In fact, Dayton was part of Finglass’ daughter Samantha Finglass McKean’s wedding party in June 2024.
When Dayton was cut the first time, Finglass said her relationship with Shelly wasn’t greatly impacted as the associate choreographer “remained professional” — though she was “kind of quiet” for a few weeks. Meanwhile, Shelly shared she was “bothered” that Finglass and Trammell couldn’t tell her the news themselves.
“I came to work for a year and spoke to no one, except for who I needed to, and it was very surface. Like, it was all business,” Shelly said. “That was hard because we were friends. If anything, I wasn’t hurt by her not making it, I was way more hurt by Kelli and Judy.”
But during season 2, Dayton told Finglass and Trammell that she would tell her mom the news herself, leaving viewers wondering what happened in the aftermath.
In a June 2025 conversation with PEOPLE, Finglass and Trammell shared that they’ve maintained a close relationship with both Shelly and Dayton following her cut.
“You feel for your friends,” Trammell said. “I mean, Shelly’s definitely a good friend of ours besides a coworker, so we do feel for her and how she struggled with this.”
Where is Dayton Bramhall now?
daytonbramhall/Instagram
Dayton and Shelly Bramhall.
Dayton might not be performing “Thunderstruck” with the DCC cheerleaders, but she is still pursuing her passion for dance.
According to her Instagram bio, Dayton is a teacher at The Young Company, a dance studio located in The Colony, Texas. Per their Instagram, she has been an instructor there since July 2024, around the same time training camp ended.
She’s also been sharing videos of herself dancing on TikTok, captioning a compilation of clips from the audition process, “a year of healing and hard work 🤍.”
Did Dayton Bramhall try out for the DCC again?
Courtesy of Netflix
Dayton Bramhall in ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ season 2.
During her conversation with PEOPLE, Finglass shared that Dayton was “in the trial process” for another year, meaning she had returned to DCC auditions.
In mid-June 2025, Dayton shared a carousel of photos recapping her month, which included a photo that appeared to be from auditions.
On June 15, the official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Instagram posted that Training Camp 2025 had begun. Dayton was not pictured in the group photo, meaning she had been cut before training camp began.
After one fan made a post on TikTok about Dayton not making it to training camp, she replied, “Thank you for being so sweet, Charlotte! It wasn’t in the cards for me, but I’m proud of how much i’ve grown. I feel it’s important to note I did EVERYTHING they asked of me and tried my absolute best to fit their mold. I’m not wanted there and I’m hoping this takes me to where I truly belong!”
Shelly also commented on the post, writing, “Dayton’s mom here…I don’t usually comment on any posts regarding her journey, but your words are kind. Her light is bright and will shine elsewhere!”
The associate choreographer continued, “She’s beautiful, talented but more importantly, she has a soft, humble spirit. She took the advice to train and do all the things asked of her. She’s stronger for doing so, even if the results weren’t in her favor. God has something better for her, we will wait to see where He leads. 🤍.”
Read the original article on People
