Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Perth’s very own Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Faith Ward has made her TV series debut in season three of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which has just been released on Netflix.
Fans of the popular documentary series have been waiting with bated breath for the next season, where viewers are taken behind the scenes of recruiting the 2025 cheer squad for American Football’s most iconic team through competitive auditions and rookies’ trials and tribulations.
The Wellington-born dancer’s journey as a rookie has been put in the spotlight, with Ward the first New Zealander to make the famous team and the third Australian, following in the footsteps of former members Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther.
The 23-year-old made the team after a gruelling audition and month-long training camp under the watchful eyes of team director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammel.
In one promo video posted by Netflix on Instagram, Ward is seen introducing herself to the judging panel, who later described her as “phenomenal”.
“Hi everyone, my name is Faith. I’m 22 and originally from Wellington, New Zealand, but as you can tell I’ve lost my accent because I live in Perth, Australia.
“I’d never get anything like this in Australia; these opportunities don’t come.
“You see it all over social media: who doesn’t want to be a Cowboys cheerleader? I was always like I’d love to do that.
“So we’re reaching past the stars now, but it’s worth a hot shot, isn’t it?”
Ward’s family and friends were among the first to relive her rookie season at a private watch party put on by Crown Perth on Tuesday afternoon.
Friend and model Brooklyn Metropolis was there, along with the team behind Olivia and Grace Giftware, who have been collaborating with Ward and her love for the soft toy brand Jellycat.
Blue and white balloons, large posters of Ward’s DCC headshot and cutouts of her face adorned a Crown Towers suite, with no watch party complete without popcorn and a DCC-themed, star-shaped cake.
Ward herself even dialled in on a video call to thank her Perth family and friends for their unwavering support.
Following the release of season three, Ward’s management Amplify officially welcomed “America’s newest sweetheart”.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our ponytail queen and everything she has achieved,” her team said on Instagram.
Ellise Richards, owner of Perth eyebrow bar Bambii B, where Ward gets her eyebrows done, also got in on the hype of seeing her customer on the big screen.
“Acting like we are not freaking out about seeing this gal on the big screen today,” she said on Instagram.
“Missing this face and the catch-ups that come with each appointment.
“Forever proud of everything you’ve achieved with DCC and can’t wait to relive your journey on Netflix.
Ms Richards projected new episodes onto a wall in her salon for her team’s own watch party.
Perth dancer and digital creator Caitlin Cummins said that she was “screaming and crying” over seeing Ward on Netflix and how she was “proud of you always, but more than ever now”.
Also taking to Instagram to support Australia’s golden girl were NFL Australia and New Zealand, describing Ward as “the moment,” while Netflix Australia and New Zealand said: “Aussie/Kiwi accent represent.”
Influencer Sopha Dopha said: “That’s our girl.”
And TikTokker and acrobat Sam Rybka — one half of The Rybka Twins — said Ward was “doing Perth dancers proud”.
Fellow DCC members Charly Barby, Parker Kilpatrick, Brenley Herrera and Michelle Siemienowski also showed their love for their Aussie best friend.
One Instagram user said: “There are just certain people that are born to dance. Faith is one of them.”
Another added: “The season Perth has been waiting for.”
Ward’s dream came true in July last year when was picked with five other rookies to join 30 veterans on the sidelines.
“I’m just so incredibly grateful to be in this position and feeling like everything that I’ve done and trained for is paid off,” she said at the time.
“It feels a little bit like a dream, if I’m being 100 per cent honest, and I’m just so excited.”
The process to recruit the 2026 squad is currently underway.
