Fans Slam ‘Deeply Depressing’ New Netflix Documentary

While Netflix regularly releases new documentaries, every so often one generates significant buzz. The latest hot topic is “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” This documentary has sparked intense discussions, with some viewers labeling it as “the most depressing” thing they’ve ever seen.

The film documents the latest squad of cheerleaders throughout the 2023 season. These athletes strive to join one of the world’s most exclusive teams, enduring painful injuries and earning barely above minimum wage. Many even need second jobs, despite the Dallas Cowboys’ $8 billion valuation.

One viewer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts: “This Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Netflix documentary is one of the most depressing things I’ve ever watched.” They added, “If you have a daughter or sister, it’ll probably shatter your heart… Every episode I’ve watched so far has made me cry.”

Another person commented: “Deeply depressing to watch the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader doc and hear them talk about feeling so much pressure to be thin that they’re afraid to strength train. Then, they talk about all their injuries, the best prevention for which is… strength training.”

A third viewer expressed their frustration: “Twenty minutes into the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders thing and I already hate this owner/brand officer lady sitting in her giant shiny office talking about how these women don’t actually need to be paid that much.”

Discussing their injuries, another viewer wrote: “I finished watching #AmericasSweethearts about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I really hope they give the cheerleaders health insurance given how badly they get injured! Needing hip surgery in your mid-20s is no joke.”

Some viewers have even suggested that the cheerleaders go on strike. One user posted: “Dallas Cowboys are the most profitable team in the whole league, valued at $8 billion. I hope these cheerleaders go on strike one day and demand more pay because that is just unfathomable.”

In the documentary, the Cowboys’ chief brand officer Charlotte Jones acknowledged the controversy surrounding cheerleaders’ pay: “There’s a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders—as it should be. They’re not paid a lot.

But the facts are, they actually don’t come here for the money. They come here for something that’s actually bigger than that to them. They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in the field of dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being a part of something bigger than themselves. It is about a sisterhood that they are able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their life.

“They have a chance to feel like they are valued, they are special, and they are making a difference. When the women come here, they find their passion and they find their purpose.”