Netflix viewers speechless over ‘wild’ new documentary that exposes dark side of popular women’s sport
Netflix viewers have found themselves at a loss for words following the release of a seven-part docu-series delving into the world of sport.
The streaming giant seems to know exactly what we want when giving us some more real-life scandal to dig into.
Just recently we've had The Man With 1,000 Kids, Tell Them You Love Me and Worst Roommate Ever to watch in complete disbelief.
Despite the many twists and turns in the above titles, it's another documentary that has captured the attention of viewers in recent days.
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The docuseries is called America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and if you're yet to watch it, you're in for a seriously wild ride.
Take a look:
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is a seven-part docuseries that delves into the high-stakes lives of the Dallas Cowboys team as they break a sweat during tense auditions, attend a gruelling training camp and scramble to be one of the lucky few cheering throughout the NFL season.
While it's easy to at first be dazzled by their outfits - think billowing sleeves, patriotic hot pants and knee high boots - many sinister details quickly come to light.
Viewers are faced with stories of weight struggles, self esteem issues and health issues - and that barely scratches the surface.
Directed by Emmy-award winning Greg Whiteley, the docuseries shows how the tight-knit team has built a legacy and performed in front of staggering crowds.
On one occasion, they cheer to more than 90,000 fans at a Cowboys home game in Texas.
America’s Sweethearts also provides us with a behind-the-scenes look at the personal lives of those who fight tooth and knuckle to wear the uniform, and the toll the sport takes on them.
Whiteley told Tudum: "The kind of access and creative freedom we need to make the kind of work we want to make is not easy to come by - especially when dealing with a brand as large as the Dallas Cowboys.
"To their infinite credit, the Cowboys offered unfettered access for the year we filmed the DCC and left us alone. The result is an authentic portrait of one of the most storied and beloved institutions we have in American pop culture.”
As a result, we learn about tensions, conflicts and also their staggeringly low pay.
Explaining the level of pressure on the Cowboys' shoulders, Whiteley added: "No matter how you are feeling, you have to portray a level of joy and happiness that is now part of the job.
"Your job is to show up and entertain fans, and that doesn’t leave much room for your own personal emotions. You’ve got to put on some makeup and this uniform and become Wonder Woman for a couple of hours.”
Viewers are shocked by what they've seen unfold.
One person wrote: "This documentary series is riveting and so wild! Do you know how DIABOLICAL it is to cut that girl at the very end just because she’s short?! Mind you she uprooted her entire life for a year to try to make the team."
Another said: "So, basically DCC is perpetuating all the things women have fought years to change. Equal pay, diversity in both race & body type. Driving beautiful, talented women to depression,low self worth, & eating disorders..but go cowboys, right."
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available to stream on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, TV And Film, Tyla Recommends
Kya Buller