America's Girls

Texas Monthly

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad burst onto the field back in 1972—the same year Title IX passed, the same year Deep Throat came out, and a year before Roe v. Wade. Sarah Hepola digs into the untold stories behind the global pop culture phenomenon, from the stripper who allegedly inspired the squad's creation, to a scandalous Playboy cover shoot that was actually a battle over fair wages, to the ongoing debate about sexuality and women’s bodies in a post-#MeToo world. The result is a vibrant mix of history, cultural criticism, and storytelling, featuring interviews with New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino, award-winning novelist Ben Fountain, Oscar-nominated director Dana Adam Shapiro, local television sports legend Dale Hansen, folk-writing hero Joe Nick Patoski, and a whole bunch of cheerleaders whose names you don’t know yet—but should.

Episodes

Introducing TM Out Loud

Subscribe to Texas Monthly Audio today for access to exclusive new audio productions based on the latest issue of the magazine, in our new podcast feed TM Out Loud. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio for more.

Feb 28

2 min

Introducing Viva Tejano

Introducing the latest podcast from Texas Monthly, "Viva Tejano.” Latin music is ascending in the U.S., and, in some surprising ways, much of the story behind the trend begins in Texas. On Viva Tejano, host J.B. Sauceda talks with legendary tejano artists and well-known tejano music fans about how the music has shaped their lives. It’s a nostalgic journey and a close look at the influences behind many of today’s biggest acts in música Mexicana. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can listen to episodes one week early, and get access to exclusive bonus material. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to learn more.

Nov 4, 2024

4 min

8. Making the Dream

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have navigated scandals and cultural shifts in the last few years. What is their future in this new world? For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Jan 18, 2022

53 min

7. All-American Sexy Girls

From honey shots to swimsuit calendars, sex has long been part of the cheerleaders’ brand. But is the provocative tease a relic of another era? For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Jan 11, 2022

43 min

6. The Perfect Look

It’s not just about being the right weight. It’s about having the right hair, the right skin, the right boobs, the right legs. Only a very particular kind of beautiful woman gets to wear that uniform. More on this and all episodes at texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Jan 4, 2022

43 min

5. The Rules

No appearances near alcohol. No fraternizing with players. Being a Cowboys cheerleader has always meant living by a long list of rules. But do those rules help protect the cheerleaders, or control them? For more on this and every episode of America's Girls, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Dec 28, 2021

49 min

4. The Uniform

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform is iconic, a symbol of Texas culture for half a century. But its origin story remains remarkably unsettled. For more on this and other episodes, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Dec 21, 2021

41 min

3. Naked Ambition

A group of former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders pose topless in Playboy, and the Cowboys go to court to protect their brand. For more on this and every episode of America's Girls, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Dec 14, 2021

38 min

2. All That Glitters

The cheerleaders enjoy the glamor of sudden fame, while grappling with low pay and the dangers of celebrity. For more on this and all episodes, go to texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Dec 7, 2021

35 min

1. The Rise to Fame

The modern Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders launch in 1972 and rocket to national fame. For more on this and other episodes, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

Dec 7, 2021

40 min