Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on fame, pressure and World Cup fever

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on fame, pressure and World Cup feverImage source, NetflixImage caption, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, known as America's Sweethearts, have shot to fame as a result of the Netflix docuseries following their lives ByMollie Perella and Naomi de Souza, Newsbeat Published54 minutes agoFive, six, seven, eight... America's Sweethearts are back. Season three of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) docuseries has dropped on Netflix and this time the stakes – and kicks – are higher than ever.

The programme has turned the squad, who drum up support for the American football team, into celebrities in their own right thanks to its mix of viral moments and drama. Newsbeat caught up with breakout stars Kleine Powell and Megan McElaney to find out what the increased attention has meant for them. The latest America's Sweethearts picks up with the cheerleading squad after previous seasons have aired and shows them dealing with their new-found fame.

The Details

"It has been actually really insane," says Powell, when Newsbeat asks about the show's viral success. "I think it's had a really positive impact on not only the dance and athlete world, but just on the world in general with how we kind of integrate our lives into this dance and cheerleading show," she says. Earlier seasons of the show concentrated on the tough selection process to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader - a job that attracts young women from across the USA.

Viewers often see squad director Kelli Finglass give frank, sometimes harsh feedback to veterans and new recruits. But, according to the coach, it hasn't deterred hopefuls from applying, and this year was the first year the team's considered tryouts from people who have seen America's Sweethearts. It's no secret that exposure on the show can benefit individuals, opening up potential for influencer contracts and brand deals.

But, Powell says, new cheerleaders need to be coming in for the right reasons. "That means people who want to be a friend and team-mate first versus going in and doing all these selfish things," she says. "We want people who can be friends and a sister and someone you can call on a bad day to help lift your spirits.

What Experts Say

"Image source, NetflixImage caption, This year's team have got their own fanbaseThe increased exposure also comes with downsides - such as increased scrutiny. "Already being on the team, there is a little bit of an anxiety factor," says McElaney. "We're all perfectionists and we want to put our best foot forward in every single performance.

"The show's director has said fans now record the cheerleaders' pre-match routines on their phones. McElaney says "it can be difficult to not get in your head" when every performance is posted online. Most cheerleaders are holding down full-time jobs alongside their Cowboys commitment – with training wrapping up sometimes as late as midnight.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.