Kings/Cowboys Alum in the running for cover of Redbook

Redbook magazine is running it’s 3rd annual “Real Women Style Awards” contest. Readers were asked to submit their best, most stylish photo for the chance to be on the cover of the magazine. Six women will front the September issue, as a homage to real women (not celebrities, not models) who are stylish in their everyday lives. Redbook narrowed the entries down to 25 finalists, and has opened the competition up for public voting.

One of the ladies in the running is wife, mother, educator, former Sacramento Kings Dancer and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Sasha Agent. With almost 17,500 votes (as of right now), she is on the leader board, but every last vote helps. Click here to see the finalists and vote for your favorite. Voting is open until May 10. You can vote once each day.

WARNING: There are TWO Sasha in the running. This is Sasha Agent:
Redbook2016_Sasha

Sasha was a Sacramento Kings Dancer for four seasons (2001-2005)
Sasha was a Sacramento Kings Dancer for four seasons (2001-2005)
Sasha was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for two seasons (2010-12)
Sasha was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for two seasons (2010-12)

LA gets its first NFL cheerleaders in 20 years

Twenty-eight talented ladies beat out 400 to make the Los Angeles Rams cheerleading squad
By Ashley Collman
Dailymail.com
April 18, 2016

[Watch the video (scroll to bottom)]

* Final try-outs for the Los Angeles Rams cheerleading squad took place on Sunday at the Forum arena
* Twenty-eight women made the team from 66 finalists who were called in for an interview, swimsuit contest and dance performance
* The audition process began back on April 2 when around 400 women turned out to try out
* The 2016-2017 season marks the first time the Rams will be back in their original city of Los Angeles
* From 1995 until 2015, St. Louis was the Rams host city

Dozens of primped and polished ladies put their best faces forward on Sunday, to compete in the final round of try-outs for the Los Angeles Rams cheerleading team.

The 66 women who made it to the last round spend the evening wowing the judges in the swimsuit competition, dance performance and final interview at the Forum arena in Inglewood.

In the end, 28 women were selected to join the squad – the first to be back in Los Angeles since the Rams moved to St. Louis for 20 years in 1995.

‘I was so excited. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I started crying and I think I hit myself in the face,’ one of the new cheerleaders told KCAL.

Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders celebrate after receiving their team jackets during final auditions for the cheerleading squad in Los Angeles, California on April 17
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders celebrate after receiving their team jackets during final auditions for the cheerleading squad in Los Angeles, California on April 17

Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders celebrate after receiving their team jackets during final auditions for the cheerleading squad in Los Angeles, California on April 17

Former Rams player and pro-Football Hall of Fame member Marshall Faulk was part of the five-man, four-woman panel that selected the final team.

Lisa Estrada, vice president of entertainment and facilities for the Los Angeles Lakers, and John Peters, Rams cheer choreographer, also helped in making the final decision.

Auditions for the team started on April 2, when 400 women turned out to try-out for the team at the Galen center.

For the following two weeks, the scores of women went through preliminary auditions, professional interviews and dance rehearsals.
The Rams NFL football team is returning to Los Angeles for the 2016 season after having left the city along with the Los Angeles Raiders after the 1994 season

The Rams NFL football team is returning to Los Angeles for the 2016 season after having left the city along with the Los Angeles Raiders after the 1994 season
The Rams NFL football team is returning to Los Angeles for the 2016 season after having left the city along with the Los Angeles Raiders after the 1994 season
Try-outs started April 2, and included more than 400 women. By the final auditions on Sunday, just 66 women were left
Try-outs started April 2, and included more than 400 women. By the final auditions on Sunday, just 66 women were left
During final tryouts on Sunday, the women showed off their talents in a swimsuit contest, dance performance and interview.
During final tryouts on Sunday, the women showed off their talents in a swimsuit contest, dance performance and interview.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Sativa M. performs during the swimsuit portion of the squad's final auditions on Sunday (she later made the team).
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Sativa M. performs during the swimsuit portion of the squad’s final auditions on Sunday (she later made the team).
On the right, Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Samantha O. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders.
On the right, Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Samantha O. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Gaebri A. performs during the swimsuit portion of the squad's final auditions. Gaebri did not make the team.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Gaebri A. performs during the swimsuit portion of the squad’s final auditions. Gaebri did not make the team.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopefuls perform during the dance portion of the squad's final auditions in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopefuls perform during the dance portion of the squad’s final auditions in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Stephanie E. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team's mascot after the cheerleading squad's final auditions on Sunday.
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Stephanie E. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team’s mascot after the cheerleading squad’s final auditions on Sunday.
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Micki J. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team's mascot after the final auditions in Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 April 2016
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Micki J. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team’s mascot after the final auditions in Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 April 2016
 Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Jennifer P. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team's mascot after the final auditions for the cheerleading squad in Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 April 2016.

Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Jennifer P. is greeted by former Rams cheerleaders and the team’s mascot after the final auditions for the cheerleading squad in Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 April 2016.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Michelle S. performs during the dance portion of the squad's final auditions on Sunday. Michelle later made the team.
Los Angeles Rams cheerleader hopeful Michelle S. performs during the dance portion of the squad’s final auditions on Sunday. Michelle later made the team.

‘They only cheer one day a week. Those other six days they have to carry around those horns and make sure they are just as respectable off the field as they are on the field,’ Faulk said.

In addition to cheering at games, NFL cheerleaders are also required to carry out 1,500 hours of community service each year, and take part in other team appearances and rehearse. They also pose for the annual Rams Cheerleading Swimsuit Calendar and Rams Cheer Poster.

Recently, several cheerleading squads have lodged lawsuits against their teams for wage theft.

In one lawsuit, filed by the Oakland Raiders cheerleaders, it was claimed that they were being paid less than $5 an hour when all of their time was accounted for.

Cheerleading teams for the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also filed similar lawsuits.

Four of these lawsuits have been settled with teams agreeing to pay out a combined $2.5million in back wages, while admitting no wrong doing.

The Raiders are now paying their cheerleaders minimum wage.

Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders celebrate after receiving their team jackets during the final auditions for the cheerleading squad.
Newly chosen Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders celebrate after receiving their team jackets during the final auditions for the cheerleading squad.
The 28-woman crew will perform at games, as well as take part in 1,500 hours of community service.
The 28-woman crew will perform at games, as well as take part in 1,500 hours of community service.

Read more:

Miami Dolphins Select 50 Participants In South Florida Audition For Cheerleader Finals

The Miami Dolphins selected 50 ladies from the South Florida cheerleader auditions to participate in the Finals. Nearly 300 registrants came to participate in the culmination of the NFL’s first international cheerleader audition.

These 50 ladies join 20 finalists from cheerleader auditions in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Miami as well as returning cheerleaders to participate in the Finals on May 1. The Finals are open to the public and will be held at the Miniaci Theater at Nova Southeastern University.

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Cheerleaders from around world audition for Miami Dolphins squad

MDC open call

Local 10 News meterologist Julie Durda among judges
By Sanela Sabovic – Reporter
Local10.com
April 23, 2016

[Watch the Video]

DAVIE, Fla. – Hundreds of young women danced their hearts out in Davie Saturday morning in hopes of becoming a Miami Dolphins cheerleader for the upcoming football season.

Among them was Nicole, a 41-year-old who never gave up on her cheerleading dreams.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” Nicole said. “This is actually my seventh time trying out.”

The cheerleaders and dancers prepared for months to compete in front of judges.

“It would be a dream come true to be on this team and be on it for years,” Ally said.

One of the judges this year was Local 10 News meteorologist Julie Durda, who is a former San Francisco 49ers cheerleader.

“I’m honored to be one of the many judges that are going to be judging these talented, beautiful women behind me,” Durda said.

This year’s auditions are a bit different than in previous years, as the Dolphins organization went looking around the world for cheerleader hopefuls.

Competitors came from places such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.

“We’re the only team in the NFL that could really do this and make it authentic, because it is authentic,” Dorie Grogan, a senior director of entertainment for the Dolphins, said. “It’s who we are. It’s our culture here in Miami, and we are excited to be the first in the NFL to do this.”

For Nicole, tryouts aren’t about age, but about reaching for a long time goal.

“I just have to continue to convince myself to keep coming back, even though sometimes I think, ‘I’m crazy. Oh my God. I’m 41. What am I doing out here?'” Nicole said. “Literally, these girls are, like, the age of my daughter, but I’m just like, ‘I’m just going to do it anyway.'”

Final Sea Gal auditions streamed live on Sunday

The Renton Reporter
April 22, 2016

The top 55 candidates from a pool of 200 women will compete on Sunday for a spot on the 2016 Sea Gals squad and the final auditions will be streamed live on the internet.

Live coverage of the event will begin at 5 p.m. on www.SeaGals.com and facebook.com/Seagals.

The webcast will be hosted by Seahawks Legend Jordan Babineaux and Sea Gals alum Sheila and include performances by all the finalists, features and the naming of the 2016 Sea Gals squad.

Hamden woman now a New England Patriots Cheerleader

Melissa DeChello (Photo provided by the New England Patriots)
Melissa DeChello (Photo provided by the New England Patriots)
By Macy Corica, WTNH.com Staff and Anne Craig, WTNH Anchor
WTNH.com
April 22, 2016

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A life-long Patriots fan from Hamden will now get to attend every game as she cheers for the team on the sidelines.

For Melissa DeChello, it’s a no-brainer. The Hamden-native has been dancing and teaching dance for years.

This fall, she’ll be cheering for one of the elite teams in pro football.

“This was my very first NFL tryout, so really Patriots was my only choice,” said DeChello.

The New England Patriots.

“It’s a really incredible organization, they obviously do really well. They’ve been in the Super Bowl multiple times and it’s really close to me,” said DeChello.

Melissa, who attends the University of New Haven, joins roughly three-dozen other women who made it through a grueling tryout process.

“It was really draining on the body, we had some fitness portions where we had a trainer come in and do hour-long intense workouts with us, so that was a lot to go through,” said DeChello.

Now, they’ll practice a couple days a week. There are promotional appearances for the team, and then on Sunday, it’s Game Day.

You can bet all of her friends and family will be rooting for her, but maybe not for her team.

“I’ve always been a Patriots fan, my brother has always been a Cowboys fan. So we get along, we don’t really let that affect us,” said DeChello.


Sidebar: Melissa is a former Westchester Knicks Dancer

2016 New Orleans Saintsations team announced

Rookie Saintsation Abigale
Rookie Saintsation Abigale
NewOrleansSaints.com
April 21, 2016

View Gallery | 34 Photos
2016 New Orleans Saintsations

The members of the 2016-17 New Orleans Saintsations were announced Thursday afternoon. The group has 33 members. The squad is divided into appearance and field teams. The members are:

Appearance Team (9 members):

Amber
Elizabeth
Indya
Jami-Marie
Katherine
Kriste
Minako
Tasia
Willnelda

Field Team (24 members):

Abigale
Alexis
Alixx
Andre’El
Ashlyn
Bailey
Brandy
Brittany
Caroline
Cassidy
Chelsea
Denee
Gianna
Jonna
Lacey
Marshe
Megan
Morgan
Sarah
Shelley
Sherilyn
Summer
Taylor
Victoia

View Gallery | 42 Photos
2016 Saintsations Final Tryouts

View Gallery | 45 Photos
Best of 2016 Saintsations Tryouts

View Gallery | 150 Photos
2016 Saintsations tryouts

View Gallery | 16 Photos
Saintsations tryouts interviews

Inside Look at DCC’s Annual Swimsuit Fashion Show

DallasCowboys.com
April 22, 2016

The annual DCC swimsuit fashion show is a tradition that began about five years ago. It began as a way to entertain guests of the property the cheerleaders would stay at during their annual swimsuit calendar trip. It has now turned into an elaborate production.

The show which lasted about 45 minutes showcased swimwear that is worn by the ladies on their location photo and video shoots. The runway extended over the pool at the beautiful Marival Resort Residences in Riviera Nayarit. Guests of the resort were able to lounge around the pool area and enjoy the upbeat music and light show. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader account documented the entire night in real-time.

[Watch the Video, View the Photos]

2016 DCC swim show