The seven-episode docu-series, “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” debuted on Netflix in June. The beloved cheerleading team has captivated the hearts of football fans nationwide since its inception in 1961. The squad has made a name for themselves over six decades, from the iconic star-spangled uniform and white cowboy boots to their legendary high kicks.
Their arrival on Netflix isn’t their first time in the spotlight. Their journey in reality TV began in 2006 with their hit series “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team,” which ran for 16 seasons. While the show provided a snapshot into the rigorous requirements of making the team, the recent Netflix series offered insight into the performers’ personal stories beyond the wide smiles and stylish uniforms.
Kally Bethea is one of the few Black cheerleaders who earned a spot on the team. From 2022-2024, the DCC alumnus broke barriers while cheerleading with a franchise historically predominately white. She used her exposure on the National Football League (NFL) stage to spotlight cultural differences by wearing her natural hair. Bethea proudly wore her 4C curls behind the scenes and on the field as she executed the “Thunderstruck” signature dance routine and cheered from the sidelines. She and other Black and brown DCC members have helped pave the way for future generations of professional cheerleaders.
After retiring this year, Bethea spoke with NaturallyCurly over the phone about her natural hair journey, the importance of representation, and the hair products she can’t live without.
Could you first tell me about your relationship with your natural hair and your journey with wearing it out freely?
I’ve been natural for five to six years now. It has been an exciting and new learning process. I had relaxed hair and wore weaves most of my life until six years ago. I started out by doing a big chop. I wore a buzz cut for a few years and then decided to grow it out. Now, my hair is slightly bigger than a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). I was getting my hair cut consistently for a few years. Now, I’m letting it grow out.
What made you want to transition from having relaxed hair and wearing weaves to going completely natural?
In high school, I always thought women with short haircuts were cool. So, my goal from the beginning was to have a cool haircut. The more my hair grew, the more I loved my natural curl pattern. I felt more like myself and not like I was trying to appease anyone else’s standard of beauty. I had a lot of joy doing my hair and figuring out what works best for me. My mom and grandparents don’t know what their natural hair or curl pattern looks like because they have relaxed it their entire lives. So, it was a personal journey of feeling beautiful in my skin and hair when I started my natural hair journey.
Image Source: @kallysavon
As one of the few Black cheerleaders previously on DCC, you embraced wearing your natural hair on the squad and during games. What was the intention behind that decision instead of concealing your hair with a protective style?
Overall, I have always been comfortable with myself. When I did wear wigs, my personality was always my personality. I was always a dancer or in pageantry, and I never tried to conceal that. I was never trying to fulfill that personality stereotype. I was always myself, which is very sarcastic. I crack jokes all the time and lead with honesty first. My goal entering the NFL world was to be myself.
Growing up watching DCC and their “Making The Team” show, I knew I always wanted to be on that team. Even as a child, I realized that there were few or no one that looked like me on DCC. Going into it, I wanted to be one of the few completely themselves. There was no representation of natural hair on the team at the time. I wanted to be that. I wanted younger girls to see me and think, “Oh, I can see myself here” because representation is so important.
I was on another NFL team before DCC, and I saw the impact it [natural hair representation] had there. I cheered for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons, and I remember little girls saying, “Oh my God, I love your hair,” and “You’re my favorite.” Seeing yourself in higher places or seeing people like you achieve goals is important. That was inspiring and kept me going. This is me, and this hair is growing out of my head like my counterparts. This is how I want to represent myself and how I choose to. And that’s just something that I want to be consistent with.
What was your experience wearing your natural hair in that environment where many of your teammates have straight hair or finer textures?
It was welcomed. Everyone admired my hair texture. There were some conversations. But, I always led with a kind heart and education. People would say, “At least you didn’t have to do your hair today.” I would always say, “That’s really funny. But actually, I spent six hours doing my hair a few days ago, and it just lasted a few days.”
Image Source: @kallysavon
What was your go-to natural hairstyle when it was time for game day?
Most of the time, I felt most confident with a Flexi-Rod set because it gave me a good amount of bounce during game day when we did hair flips. That’s when I had time. If I didn’t have as much time, I would take a gel and run through my curls a little bit to do a Wash and Go.
How did you prep your hair leading up to showtime?
I washed and conditioned my hair with Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo and Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner. If I were doing a Flexi-Rod Set, I would use the Nairobi Soft Finish Leave-in Conditioner and Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion. When I would do a Wash and Go, I used Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Elongating Hair Curling Gel. I washed my hair once or twice a week, depending on how much I sweat. A lot of manipulation goes into natural hair on a dance team because you need it to look at its best all the time. So, I used the amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask sometimes.
As you continue to represent the natural hair community online and in real life, what message do you hope wearing natural and protective styles sends as you help disrupt mainstream beauty standards?
Comfort really certainly starts with learning about it [natural hair]. To be confident, you have to know stuff because knowledge is power. In the beginning, I just wanted a cute, short buzz cut. As that continued, I went to hair salons and talked to the stylist about the best products for my hair and their recommendations.
Through education, I learned to be confident in my hairstyles. You have to learn to be that [confident] because it’s not natural for everyone. Through learning, you know your hair, what works best, and what makes you feel great. I have natural hair, but I want the girl wearing a wig or sew-in to feel confident in her choice. There’s beauty in every look –no matter what it is.
What are your favorite ways to style your hair outside of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading, and what are your holy grail hair products?
The Amazon white spray bottle because you always need a spray bottle with natural hair. The Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque because it is good for deep conditioning. I also like the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil.
I like to wear my hair in a High Puff. It gives my face that snatched and lifted look. I’m about to get a crochet hairstyle, so I’m super excited to wear that as a protective style for a few months. I also like to do a Half-up, Half-Down style.
With the season soon changing to fall, does your hair routine change due to the cooler weather? If so, what’s your hair regimen?
I’ll wear more slick-back styles for the winter since I’m dealing with less humidity. I’ll do a ponytail and add a hairpiece, or I can keep my routine the same.
Interested in learning new ways to care for your hair this summer? Check out these moisturizing hair products.
