Blab Sports
Faith Ward Becomes First New Zealander on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as Season 3 of Americas Sweethearts Debuts
Faith Ward, a 23‑year‑old professional dancer and content creator, has become the first New Zealander to earn a spot on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC). Her selection was highlighted in the third season of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered on June 16, 2026.
Ward was born on April 1, 2003, in New Zealand. She moved to Australia when she was nine and began dancing at the age of two. By ten, she was competing and later won national titles in both New Zealand and Australia. She continued her dance career in the United States, performing professionally and working aboard a major cruise line for nearly a year when she was twenty. In addition to dancing, Ward is a makeup artist and runs a social‑media presence under the nickname “Flexi Faith,” a reference to her noted flexibility.
According to her DCC bio, Ward was drawn to the squad after watching the first two seasons of America’s Sweethearts. She described the experience as more than dancing, emphasizing the sense of sisterhood, energy, and the opportunity to be part of an iconic organization. She stated that joining the DCC felt like a “perfect next step” that would allow her to grow and be challenged while doing what she loves.
Ward’s audition took place in 2025, when she was 22. She was one of the rookie candidates featured in Season 3, which follows the squad through the 2025‑26 NFL season. Social‑media posts from the 2025 training camp showed Ward as the only team member with her hair tied in a ponytail, a style that differed from the curly, down‑haired look of her teammates. In a July 2025 interview with ABC Perth, Ward explained that the ponytail was suggested by coach Kelli Finglass. She recalled that during a rehearsal for the routine “Thunderstruck,” Finglass asked her to try her hair up so it would stay out of her face while dancing.
Ward noted that Finglass liked the look and encouraged her to keep it. She also mentioned that during uniform fittings, Finglass praised the ponytail as an “Ariana Grande moment” for the team and suggested making it longer and blonder. The ponytail remained a part of Ward’s appearance throughout the 2025 season, as seen in game footage and team photos.
The DCC, officially nicknamed “America’s Sweethearts,” is the National Football League cheer squad for the Dallas Cowboys. The squad’s uniforms consist of a blue crop top, white hotpants, and white cowboy boots. The Netflix series, produced in partnership with the Cowboys organization, documents the squad’s daily life, training, and performances.
Season 3 of America’s Sweethearts is the third installment of the series, following the 2025‑26 football season. The show premiered on Netflix on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and features 36 squad members, including 23 returning veterans and a new rookie class that includes Ward. The series provides viewers with an inside look at the rigorous training, choreography, and camaraderie that define the DCC.
Ward’s inclusion in the squad is significant not only for her personal career but also for the representation of international talent within the DCC. According to reports, her journey from New Zealand to Australia and then to the United States illustrates the global reach of professional dance and cheerleading.
The series has already attracted a wide audience, with the first season debuting in 2024 and the second season airing in June 2025. Fans and viewers can expect to see Ward’s performances, her flexibility demonstrations, and her role as a content creator throughout the third season.
In summary, Faith Ward’s selection to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders marks a milestone for the squad and for international dancers seeking to join one of the most iconic cheer teams in the United States. Her story, captured in Season 3 of America’s Sweethearts, showcases the blend of athleticism, artistry, and cultural exchange that defines the DCC’s legacy.
Ward was born on April 1, 2003, in New Zealand. She moved to Australia when she was nine and began dancing at the age of two. By ten, she was competing and later won national titles in both New Zealand and Australia. She continued her dance career in the United States, performing professionally and working aboard a major cruise line for nearly a year when she was twenty. In addition to dancing, Ward is a makeup artist and runs a social‑media presence under the nickname “Flexi Faith,” a reference to her noted flexibility.
According to her DCC bio, Ward was drawn to the squad after watching the first two seasons of America’s Sweethearts. She described the experience as more than dancing, emphasizing the sense of sisterhood, energy, and the opportunity to be part of an iconic organization. She stated that joining the DCC felt like a “perfect next step” that would allow her to grow and be challenged while doing what she loves.
Ward’s audition took place in 2025, when she was 22. She was one of the rookie candidates featured in Season 3, which follows the squad through the 2025‑26 NFL season. Social‑media posts from the 2025 training camp showed Ward as the only team member with her hair tied in a ponytail, a style that differed from the curly, down‑haired look of her teammates. In a July 2025 interview with ABC Perth, Ward explained that the ponytail was suggested by coach Kelli Finglass. She recalled that during a rehearsal for the routine “Thunderstruck,” Finglass asked her to try her hair up so it would stay out of her face while dancing.
Ward noted that Finglass liked the look and encouraged her to keep it. She also mentioned that during uniform fittings, Finglass praised the ponytail as an “Ariana Grande moment” for the team and suggested making it longer and blonder. The ponytail remained a part of Ward’s appearance throughout the 2025 season, as seen in game footage and team photos.
The DCC, officially nicknamed “America’s Sweethearts,” is the National Football League cheer squad for the Dallas Cowboys. The squad’s uniforms consist of a blue crop top, white hotpants, and white cowboy boots. The Netflix series, produced in partnership with the Cowboys organization, documents the squad’s daily life, training, and performances.
Season 3 of America’s Sweethearts is the third installment of the series, following the 2025‑26 football season. The show premiered on Netflix on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and features 36 squad members, including 23 returning veterans and a new rookie class that includes Ward. The series provides viewers with an inside look at the rigorous training, choreography, and camaraderie that define the DCC.
Ward’s inclusion in the squad is significant not only for her personal career but also for the representation of international talent within the DCC. According to reports, her journey from New Zealand to Australia and then to the United States illustrates the global reach of professional dance and cheerleading.
The series has already attracted a wide audience, with the first season debuting in 2024 and the second season airing in June 2025. Fans and viewers can expect to see Ward’s performances, her flexibility demonstrations, and her role as a content creator throughout the third season.
In summary, Faith Ward’s selection to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders marks a milestone for the squad and for international dancers seeking to join one of the most iconic cheer teams in the United States. Her story, captured in Season 3 of America’s Sweethearts, showcases the blend of athleticism, artistry, and cultural exchange that defines the DCC’s legacy.
