When I became a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader in 1982, I had no idea how much it would change my life forever. I thought I was in way over my head when I got to the auditions and saw how beautiful the girls were who were auditioning, and how talented they were. What I lacked in dance ability, I made up for in determination and my love for performing - choosing to sing for my final phase of the audition process instead of dancing. I remember being completely SHOCKED when they called out my name as having made the 1982 - 83 squad, and the rest is history. Becoming part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was undoubtedly the most memorable moment of my life, next to my marriage and the births of my children!
Being a DCC taught me so many life long lessons that I have not only carried with me in my lifetime, but I have passed along to my daughters as well. I probably wasn't the most punctual or responsible person when I first made the squad, but it didn't take long for our director, Suzanne Mitchell, to whip me into shape! I miss her to this day, as she taught me so much by being one of the greatest mentors of my lifetime. She was hard on me at times when I needed it, and yet she knew when to be kind and understanding. I also give credit to my group leader, Judy Trammel, for pushing me to my limits of dance when I didn't think I had it in me. She knew I did. I learned so much about myself in that one year from my leaders, as well as my sisters on the squad.
Today I have 3 daughters in the entertainment industry - Dallas Lovato, Demi Lovato, and Madison DeLaGarza - and I help run our family artist management company, DLG Entertainment, Inc., as well as our production company, DeLaGarza Entertainment, Inc., here in Los Angeles. The things I learned from being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader have helped us get to where we are today, and I am forever grateful to the organization for giving me that foundation. I have been able to pass down the things I learned about busy schedules, personal appearances, and how important the fans are in this business - as well as being professional and responsible - to my daughters to help them be successful. I don't know where I could have ever gotten better training for what we are doing today than from the DCC. I am blessed to forever be a part of the DCC family. My advice to the current or future cheerleaders is to enjoy EVERY SECOND of your time on the squad. Take a moment, no matter how busy and hectic it gets, to stand on that field, take a look around, and enjoy the moment - because you will truly draw from that amazing moment for the rest of your life!
Sideline Q & A
What one story brings a smile to your face?
Dianna: After I had made the squad, and while we were in Training Camp, I remember coming home and practicing the dances we learned each night until late, because I wasn't the best dancer on the squad. I had to work extra hard to keep up with the other girls. One night I came home after practice and was going over and over the sideline routines we had learned that night, when I came down HARD on my right foot and BROKE my big toe! I went to the emergency room, and they basically said there was nothing they could do for me, so I went back home, wrapped it up, and bought some ballet shoes (which were what we danced in at practice at that time) that were 2 sizes too big for me. I shoved the broken toe (all wrapped up) into the bigger ballet shoe and hobbled off to practice, because we were all still in Training Camp, and anyone could be cut at any time for something like that. When it came time for our group (under the guidance of Judy Trammell) to show what we'd learned from the night before, I started dancing like nothing was wrong - every time my bad foot would hit the ground, not only did it look clumsy, but you could hear this "thud" from the wrapping and the "2 sizes too big" shoe!! I pretended like nothing was wrong, but to this day I smile when I remember the quizzical look on Suzanne Mitchell's face, as she was trying to figure out A) why my right foot was so big, and B) why it was so LOUD every time it hit the ground! The pain was awful, but I knew if I said anything, I could be sent home and possibly cut from the squad. When we struck our last pose and the dance was over, Suzanne just looked at me and said, "Dianna, are you okay?", and I said, "Yes! Everything's great!" She looked me right in the eye, as if to say, "I've figured out what's going on here, but it's okay." I still smile when I think of the fact that in her head, she knew what I was doing. But that if I wanted it badly enough to dance on a broken toe, that I deserved a spot on the team!
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
Dianna: I learned that I could do what I thought was impossible to do if I set my mind to it. I could achieve anything if I believed in myself. I would be learning a 5 minute routine that seemed impossible for me to learn - but that if I BELIEVED that I could learn it, I always made it through. When game day would come around, and I was actually performing that routine on the field in Texas Stadium that I didn't think I could possibly learn, it was confirmation that if you set your mind to it, you can achieve the impossible.
If you could have one thing from when you were a Cheerleader, what would it be and why?
Dianna: I actually HAVE the one thing that meant the most to me from my year as a DCC - and that's my DCC pinky ring. I remember getting that ring in a traditional little ceremony right before the first game, right before we walked down that infamous tunnel for the very first time to perform. It has been an amazing treasure that I've held on to for dear life. It means the world to me! |
