Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Responds to 'Controversial' Hairstyle Complaints
With weeks to go before the season starts, one Dallas Cowboys rookie cheerleader is making headlines for her unique hairstyle.
Faith Ward is entering her first season on the iconic cheer squad. A blonde from New Zealand, Ward has been spotted on social media wearing her hair in a high ponytail, which goes against the typical Cowboys cheerleader style.
During an interview this week with ABC Perth, Ward addressed her ponytail and the conversations it has generated among fans.
“It’s crazy because obviously the DCC hairstyle is hair out, fluffy, voluminous, luscious, long locks. I’ve, you know, broken that stereotype,” she said. "But I've, you know, broken that stereotype."
Ward also provided some insight into how her hair-up look came about. Surprisingly, it was actually the idea of Kelli Finglass, the director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
“So, I’m in rehearsal one of the days with my hair out and I am, you know, sweating after doing ‘Thunderstruck.' She (Finglass) is looking at me and she’s like, ‘You know what? I really want to see what your hair would look like tied up,’” Ward explained.
"So I put it up for her and she really liked the way it danced, which was really cool because I was super excited about that because your girl doesn’t want to have her hair out, sweaty in her face dancing."
From there, Ward said she kept the ponytail intact heading into uniform fittings with the hope that Finglass would let her keep it.
“I walk in and she goes, ‘You’re giving Ariana Grande! Like, we need an Ariana Grande moment on the team,” Ward said of Finglass' reaction. "I was like, ‘Are you serious right now, Kelli? Like this is so exciting!’ She was like, ‘Yeah, but I want your ponytail longer, I want it blonder and then I want to see a cameo day (to determine) whether I prefer you with your hair out or in a ponytail.”
While it hasn't been officially settled if Ward will keep the ponytail to start the 2025 season, she is "very hopeful" that it will happen.
"But, we still have to keep an open mind to the possibility that I could be going back to be hair out. So we can’t get too excited yet!” she added.
[ TODAY ]