A dream that was years in the making came true this June for former SMU Pom Team captain Ashley Pitts when she qualified for the final round of auditions for the elite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who are featured in the hit Netflix series America’s Sweethearts.
“When I moved to Dallas, I kind of saw that dream might actually be possible,” said Pitts, who came to the Hilltop from Alabama. “It was always kind of in the back of my head like, ‘I’m here in Dallas, I can train, I can make more connections and see if this dream is something that is attainable and is something that I would actually want to do.’”
Pitts served on SMU’s pom team for four years, including as senior captain of the team for 2025-2026. She began preparing for the physically and mentally draining Cowboys Cheerleader audition process during her sophomore year and trained more intensely during her junior year.
“That was just such a privilege to be able to take amazing prep classes and train with some of the best dance teachers, choreographers, and alongside such other great dancers that are reaching for the same dream as you,” Pitts said.
Pitts drew on the performance experience she gained on the Hilltop to help reach her longtime goal. Her SMU Pom coach helped perfect her routine for the first round of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions. That performance utilized familiar sequences and moves Pitts had used to cheer on the Mustangs.
Pitts also received support from former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with Hilltop connections, including Carrie Teller, the Director of Spirit Groups at SMU, who was a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 1992 to 1995, and performed in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.
“When I submitted the first round, I was really just proud of myself and just like, ‘you know, I’m chasing this dream, I’m putting it out here, and no matter the outcome, I put in a lot of work, I’ve trained, I’ve made great memories, I’ve grown so much,’” Pitts said. “Having that attitude helped me in the waiting process because it’s so nerve-racking.”
After completing the first round of auditions, Pitts performed onstage during a live second round audition in April, a process she described as “surreal.” Pitts had support from some teammates and coaches, who cheered her on from the Dallas audience. Cowboys Cheerleaders staff and veterans also helped make the experience comfortable and positive.
“It was unlike anything I had ever done before,” Pitts said. “I really enjoyed getting to dance onstage again. I definitely missed that a little bit in college because that’s kind of what I grew up doing, competing on a stage.”
While Pitts didn’t make the cut at the closed final auditions this year, she plans to continue training to audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders again next year.
Pitts said she plans to remain in Dallas after graduating from SMU with a B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communications.
“I have always danced growing up, and I actually did mostly competition, so I thought that I wanted to do a dance major in college. I had a change of pathway, and did pom instead, and I loved it,” she said. “I have not looked back, no regrets. It’s been the most amazing experience of my life.”
Park Cities residents who’ve followed the DCC auditions may also recognize 2026 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Rookie Candidate Kaycee Nieuwendyk, who attended training camp but ultimately didn’t make the 2026-2027 squad. Nieuwendyk is a former member of Highland Park High School’s Highland Belles drill squad.
Author
