You eat clean
The cheerleaders have to be mindful of their figures, eating mostly chicken and turkey with a side plate of vegetables.
Some have claimed if they crave anything sweet, such as a cookie or cupcake, they will have a bite or two and then throw it away.
You work out daily
The cheerleaders will typically work out three to four days a week, anywhere from an hour to two and a half hours a day.
Ultimately, it's about how much time you can fit in. If you have spare time, then head to the gym.
Take advantage perks
The cheerleaders don't have to rely on sitting out in the sun all day to get a tan. They don't have the time.
Instead, they tan for free thanks to their sponsor, Palm Beach and Planet Tan. It's important to maintain a healthy color!
You receive a makeover
Even if you're a conventionally good looking woman, the Dallas Cowboys will give their new cheerleaders a makeover all the same.
Thankfully, the stylists will accommodate the desires of each cheerleader. If one wants to keep their curls, they'll make it work.
You have to be in amazing shape
Cheerleading isn't about throwing a few pom-poms around in the air. In the NFL, it's a lot more demanding than you may think.
It's not uncommon for them to wear heart monitors to one of their games to see how many calories they burn, which is usually around 3,700 calories per game.
You practice 20 hours a week
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders practice during the week from 7pm to around 11pm, and training can be very, very intense.
And during training camp, they're practicing for 30 plus hours a week. Most of the training is based around dancing.
You have to tease your hair
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have to learn how to tease their own hair so it gives off that typical Southern Belle look.
"I'll spray first," one said. "...I put it forward until I do a bunch of layers and then flip it back and brush it to tone it down a little bit."
Dating can be tricky
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders get a lot of attention from would-be beaus, but they have to be careful who they choose to date.
"You want to make sure they want to get to know you for who you are... not just the fact that you wear a uniform with stars and boots," one said.
The odd cheat meal is still okay
There are certain exceptions when it comes to pigging out on food and Thanksgiving - the day of a big game - is one of them.
"My family will eat lunch before the game, but they'll save a little bit for me and we'll have Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, ham, dressing, gumbo because we're from Louisiana," one said.
You do your own makeup
Cheerleaders have to look after themselves when it comes to makeup. That is, if they know what's good for them.
"I apply setting spray it after I put my foundation on and then again after my makeup is done. It helps keep everything in place, rain or shine," one said.
You can raise awareness
"I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer, so right now, my big focus is starting a nonprofit in her honor," one cheerleader revealed.
"My big goal in my life right now is making that something more than just an idea I had in my head, using my platform for a greater purpose."
You have other jobs
Being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is a coveted job, but it isn't full time - and most will hold other jobs simultaneously.
"It gets hard trying to balance everything," one DCC notes. "...I need to find out how to manage my time a little bit better because I can't be 50 places at once."
Water is vital
"I'm all about water, so I'll drink about 1.6 gallons, between 5 to 6 liters, every day," one cheerleader revealed.
"If I'm not hydrated, I can feel a lot less able to do my workouts. Water is so important and makes such a difference to your overall performance."
There's more to it than cheering at football games
Football games aren't the only thing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have on their schedule. "We might travel all over the country for shows or volunteer appearances," one DCC states.
Additionally, the DCCs "spend a lot of time teaching kids dance clinics. We do a USO military tour where we go and spend time with the military on the bases."
You have to work on personality
Detractors will suggest cheerleaders do nothing but stand around looking pretty, but the selection process and the job itself hinges on more than looks.
"It's not just dancing and smiling on the sidelines. We have a lot of interviews and tests. Your personality is really important," one said.
Auditions are simple
Perhaps surprisingly, auditions for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are not the most stressful thing in the world. Unlike Hollywood, the NFL team don't ask an awful lot of their contenders.
It begins by submitting an application along with two photos: one headshot, one full-length body. You then submit two videos: a 20-second intro and 60-second freestyle dance.
You teach each other
Who do you think can prepare a cheerleader to be a cheerleader? Some random dance teacher with no experience? No!
Classes are offered by former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for those wishing to prepare for auditions. The circle of life! So inspiring.
International dancers are acceptable
You don't have to be from Dallas, or anywhere in Texas, or even the United States to become a cheerleader for the Cowboys.
Not only are international applicants allowed to apply, but they are actively encouraged to do so by the Dallas Cowboys.
The fitness pays off
Not only does being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader pay off in terms of fitness and health, but in money, too.
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders earn about $12 per hour and receive $400 for every game-day appearance. Not a bad wage at all!
Parenthood is not discouraged
The Dallas Cowboys are not dinosaurs. They don't dispose of their cheerleaders the second they get pregnant or decide to have a child.
There are plenty of cheerleaders for the team past and present who are proud mothers and continue to flourish within the industry.
You have to pass a background check
Most people would assume the only qualification to be a cheerleader would be in dancing and looking attractive. So wrong.
In order to join the Cowboys, the women need to pass a background check and have a clear social media footprint.
You have to pass a test
When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, it's just as much about brains as it is beauty. Well, not just as much, but it's important.
Applicants have to take a written test that covers current events, nutrition, and the history of the team and the squad itself.
You can't change your appearance
Many of us like to adopt a new look occasionally - but if you want to make it as a DCC, you can't do it whenever you please.
When the team hires you, you get to pick your appearance, like hair length and color, but you can't change them because the team wants fans to recognize them.
Visible tattoos are forbidden
Our societal attitudes to tattoos has weakened a great deal over the last twenty years, but the Dallas Cowboys are a little stricter on this.
The cheerleaders are allowed to have tattoos, but they cannot be visible - which pretty much rules out anything on the legs or midsection.
You need to know the game
Cheerleaders aren't just there to wave their hands around and shout numbers at the crowd. They need to know what's going on behind them.
While it's not as strict as other rules, the Dallas Cowboys expect their cheerleaders to know the difference between a quarterback and a full back.
You don't date fans
There is no rule set in stone that prohibits the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from dating fans, but it's very rare.
The DCCs take their job seriously, not as some platform to meet their ideal man - which, let's face it, probably isn't some guy at a football game.
Returning vets must re-audition
Just because you used to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader doesn't mean you can leave and return any time you want.
You will have to go through the same screening process as anyone else, no matter how much experience you have.
Existing cheerleaders audition each year
You may have made the squad this year but that's not to say you're guaranteed a spot on the squad next year.
Many Dallas Cowboys fans are surprised to know that their beloved cheerleaders must re-audition every year. Don't assume your fave is going to be around forever!
You undergo a panel interview
Through panel interviews, judges get to know the applicants and ask about current events or the Cowboys or NFL.
Applicants, of course, do not know about these questions in advance and have to be quick on their feet to make an impression.
You look after your uniform
While equipment staff handles the uniforms for pro football players in the NFL, the cheerleaders have to it for themselves.
Cheerleaders are given team-owned uniforms that must be cleaned and kept in working order by them, and paid out of their own pockets.
Your uniform is unchanged
Unlike the sports jerseys worn by football players which tend to slightly change year after year, the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform has barely changed since its introduction in 1972.
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders haven’t modified their kit since 2002 when a western-styled belt with a large buckle was added to the shorts.
Calendars are mandatory
There are certain things you have to do as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, so long as you want to keep your job.
The annual calendar shoot is mandatory. While they get taken to an exotic location for the photo shoot, it’s not a walk in the park.
Tests can be ridiculous
It's not known what kind of tests the Dallas Cowboys put their cheerleaders through, but other teams have given us a taste of the dehumanizing treatment cheerleaders can be subjected to.
According to a lawsuit filed by five members of the Buffalo Jills, cheerleaders faced weekly “jiggle tests" in which defendants had their body parts closely scrutinized whilst performing jumping jacks.
Your family cannot watch auditions
As per the Dallas Cowboys' website's FAQ, final auditions are strictly closed from the public - and that includes the parents of any would-be cheerleader.
Naturally this proves challenging for some younger prospective cheerleaders, who may not have had to tackle such challenges alone in the past.
You can dance the way you like
Unlike other dance tests, there are no specific movements that must be executed at preliminaries when trying out for the DCC.
"Freestyle dance should be a blend of hip-hop/jazz that incorporates movements that you feel comfortable with technically," they state on the website.
Your hair cannot be in the way
Don't expect to make big in the world of cheerleading (especially for the Dallas Cowboys) with a fringe or messy hair.
"Hair should be worn down and in a current hairstyle that compliments your features," the Cowboys state. "Make sure your hair does not hide your face."
You have to be able to do the splits
"Flexibility and splits are REQUIRED by the start of the football season," the Cowboys state. "But continual stretching and flexibility work can eventually get results."
The website kindly informs, "we recommend that you stretch 'warm muscles'. Spend a few minutes with activity that does not require full range of motion."
You must look "well-proportioned"
The Dallas Cowboys have to roll with the times, even if most cheerleaders are still of a certain shape and size.
"You should look well-proportioned in dancewear," they say. "We DO NOT have specific height and weight requirements." Nice to hear!
You have to be 18 or over
Okay, this may be a pretty obvious point, but it's still one that still needs clarifying given the popularity of baby beauty pageants.
"You must be at least 18 by the time of preliminary auditions," the Cowboys state on their website. "There will be no exceptions."
You cannot fraternize with players
Cheerleaders, you may be surprised to hear, aren't allowed to go to parties with players. And the rules can be even stricter than that.
Instead of keeping the cheerleaders and players separate only during their nights out, some teams demand that cheerleaders refrain from fraternizing with players completely.