The glamour, drama and athletic skill of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has audiences gripped once again with season two of the docu-series, America’s Sweethearts, now streaming.
And with a total of 36 women making the final team, there’s only time to follow the journeys of a select few in depth. In DCC season two, that spotlight lands heavily on Chandi Dayle.
The 26-year-old Dallas Cowboys veteran returned for her sixth year on the squad this season and landed the role of co-point alongside her teammate, Jada.
Between scoring the coveted gig, being chosen as a representative for the 2024 Pro Bowl and her veteran-status, everything looked to be going Chandi’s way this year. But, looks can be deceiving. Opening up during the show, the cheerleader revealed she’d grappled with being in an abusive relationship.
“It was all rainbows and butterflies in the beginning,” she recalled before detailing how her partner’s drinking took a dark and dangerous turn.
Her mum also detailed the changes she saw in Chandi as a result.
“I saw how she was pulling away from her family. I saw how she was pulling away from her friends. How she was losing her confidence. And that hurt me deeply. I literally felt like I was going to lose her,” Chandi’s mum revealed.
When Chandi found the courage to end the relationship and begin dating someone new, her ex resorted to threatening, harassing and stalking her.
Eventually, the harassment led to a terrifying run-in where the man in question waited outside her apartment, smashed his car door into hers and threatened the life of her boyfriend.
Despite filing a report with police, no charges were laid due to lack of evidence.
“Even though I had witnesses, the second time in photos and notes, not that even mattered. I don’t know what I can do from here. I feel hopeless and helpless,” she said in the show.
What Happened To Chandi In Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders? The Bahamas Scandal
Part way through this season Chandi takes a very noticeable leave of absence from the team, missing multiple games and appearances. It doesn’t take long for the mystery of what happened to Chandi to unravel on screen.
It was due to the cheerleader breaking DCC rules while on the team’s retreat to the Bahamas by bringing someone back to her room. “When we took the trip to the Bahamas, I met someone and we shared similar things that have happened in our past,” Chandi explained on episode seven
The group leader stressed that the interaction was in no way sexual in nature, rather, it came from a need for support in a time when she was struggling.
“I was just like crumbling down and I was like, ‘Dang, I feel like I have no one here to talk to and so it’s nice to have someone to confide in.’”
Following her brief absence, Chandi returned to the field during the Cowboys’ last game of the season, marking her final time cheering with the team.
Hanging up her pom poms and retiring from the squad, the cheerleader underwent hip surgery following the 24-25 NFL season.
“I think this year I found who I really am,” she told choreographer Judy Trammell and director Kelli Finglass, confirming her departure. “I lost it for sure, was lost in who I really was. There was a long time where I was scared to just not be without dance because that was just me and that was my safe space. But I feel good.”
Related article:
Digital Editor
Sign up for our newsletter
Want 15% off at Adore Beauty? Sign up to the latest news at Marie Claire.
By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
About your privacy Are Media Pty Limited collects your personal information through this site to process registrations, send out newsletters, communicate offers, discounts, competitions, or surveys, and to provide you with targeted advertising based on your online activities. Our Privacy Policy contains information on how you can access or correct your personal information, which entities we may disclose your personal information to (including overseas recipients), how to opt out of targeted advertising, and how to lodge a complaint.