You’ve seen the high kicks. You’ve probably seen the Netflix cameras zooming in on those iconic blue and silver stars. But if you’ve been following the drama surrounding the 2024–2025 season, you know the name Amanda Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader—specifically, Amanda Howard—comes with a lot more than just a perfect "Thunderstruck" performance. Honestly, her exit from the squad was one of the most polarizing moments in recent DCC history.
She wasn't just another girl in the line.
Amanda was a powerhouse. A former NBA dancer for the Golden State Warriors who moved to Texas with a massive dream. She actually got cut the first time she tried out post-pandemic, which is wild to think about now. But she didn't quit. She came back, made the team in 2022, and eventually earned the title of Rookie of the Year. Then, just as she was hitting her stride as a third-year veteran, everything changed.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
The turning point for Amanda Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader happened in a cold office with Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell. If you watched America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2, you saw the tension. It was thick. Basically, Amanda felt she was being "iced out." She noticed that even though she was a three-year vet and a former Rookie of the Year, she wasn't getting the high-profile bookings and appearances she used to.
She didn't just sit there and take it. She spoke up.
"I approached every dance with joy, every conversation with presence, and every tear with purpose." — Amanda Howard on her final season.
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Amanda confronted leadership about the lack of appearances. She felt it was retaliation. Why? Because she had been vocal about the need for better pay and better contracts for the women. In the DCC world, being a "company woman" is everything. When you start questioning the status quo, the spotlight tends to dim. Kelli and Judy, however, had a different take. They threw her previous bookings back at her and suggested she needed to "lead more" and "think about others."
It was a classic "he-said, she-said" corporate standoff, just with more sequins.
Social Media and the "Trumpie" Controversy
Wait, there's more. While the pay dispute was happening on camera, a different storm was brewing on social media. Fans are intense. They dig deep. People noticed Amanda's activity on Instagram and TikTok, and not everyone was a fan of her content.
There were accusations. People found she had liked controversial posts—specifically one by Candace Owens involving Kamala Harris. This sparked a massive debate in the DCC subreddit and across Twitter. Some fans felt her "entitled" attitude on the show matched her political leanings, while others argued she was being unfairly targeted for her personal beliefs.
It got messy.
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Some teammates reportedly felt uncomfortable, and the "sisterhood" vibe definitely took a hit. When you're a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, you're a brand ambassador 24/7. Whether it's right or wrong, the organization hates "distractions." And by the end of 2024, Amanda had become a very loud distraction.
Life After the Poms
So, what happened? Amanda walked.
She decided not to re-audition for a fourth year. She basically said that "Year 3 was her year of intention" and that she was done trying to prove herself to people who didn't see her value. It was a mic-drop moment for a girl who had once been the golden child of her rookie class.
Nowadays, her life looks a lot different:
- Travel: She’s been spotted all over Italy and Switzerland with her husband, Joseph Howard.
- Content Creation: She’s leaned fully into the influencer life, partnering with brands and posting "movinwithmandy" dance reels.
- Dogs: She’s a full-time dog mom to her two pups, Ruby and her sibling.
- Accounting Support: Her husband, a CPA, remains her biggest fan, often posting about how proud he is of her "standing on her truth."
The Reality of the DCC Grind
The story of Amanda Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is really a story about the shelf life of an NFL cheerleader. These women are elite athletes. They work 40-hour weeks at "real" jobs and then practice until midnight for what often amounts to less than minimum wage when you factor in the hours.
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Amanda’s exit highlighted a growing rift. The newer generation of cheerleaders—thanks to Netflix—has a platform. They have voices. They have TikTok followers. They aren't as afraid to lose the boots as the girls were twenty years ago.
Was she a hero for fighting for better pay? Or was she, as some critics say, someone who let the fame go to her head? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. She was a woman who knew her worth and decided that the blue uniform wasn't worth the price of her silence.
What to do with this information
If you're a fan of the show or a dancer yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind from Amanda’s journey:
- Understand your contract. Whether you're a dancer or a corporate worker, know what you're signing up for regarding "brand representation."
- Diversify your income. Amanda was able to walk away because she had already built a brand as a content creator.
- Document everything. If you feel you're being retaliated against in a workplace, keep a log of missed opportunities and conversations.
- Guard your digital footprint. If you’re in the public eye, every "like" is a statement. Be prepared for the consequences of that, for better or worse.
Amanda Howard might not be on the sidelines at AT&T Stadium anymore, but she’s certainly not gone from the conversation. She proved that even in the world of "America's Sweethearts," you can't always keep a strong voice quiet.