Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Share How They Get Game-Day Ready (Exclusive)

There is nothing like a Dallas Cowboys home game. And that’s because the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders create an experience like no other before kickoff at AT&T Stadium.

Formed in 1972, the squad is the third oldest in the league, following the Las Vegas Raiderettes, who debuted in 1961 and the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders, who first made their way on the field in 1963.

One of 25 squads across the NFL today, they’ve earned the nickname “DCC” and title “America’s Sweethearts.”

They were also the subject of both the long-running show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and Netflix documentary series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. 

So yeah, they’re kind of a big deal.

And when their routine set to “Thunderstruck” premiered in 2010, it took their cheer game to a level that’s unparalleled. 

Fifteen years after “Thunderstruck” was cemented as their feature performance, DCC are marking another milestone: the team made Charlotte Tilbury Beauty its first-ever official beauty partner.

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The collaboration, which encompasses skin care, makeup and fragrance, fuses together two powerhouse brands helmed by women: Charlotte Tilbury MBE (who is president, chairman, chief creative officer and founder of her brand) and Charlotte Jones, executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

The goal: to empower women to feel confident by delivering performance-driven products that will never fumble in high-pressure moments, such as when DCC perform their iconic routine.

“When you feel and look like the most confident, beautiful version of yourself, there is nothing you cannot do,” Tilbury said in a release.

Said Jones, “This first-of-its-kind partnership isn’t just about beauty products, it’s about aligning with a brand that shares our values of empowerment, self-expression, and high performance in all that we do.”

The Cowboys have hosted Thanksgiving games since 1966 (with two exceptions, in 1975 and 1977). Before DCC took the field for the 2025 holiday match-up, they told PEOPLE about their game-day routines.

Kylie Dickson

Kylie Dickson is in her fourth season with DCC. “It feels so crazy to say that,” she shares, noting, “Time really flies when you’re surrounded by the most talented and inspiring women.”

PEOPLE: How long have you been cheering?

Kylie Dickson: This is my fourth season as a DCC! I danced in college at Ole Miss and also in high school, but before that, I was actually a level 9 gymnast. My path to DCC is a little different than most of the girls, but I think that background really shaped the performer I am today and gave me the discipline, drive and body awareness that continue to help me grow as a performer and teammate.

PEOPLE: When was the moment in your life you knew you wanted to be a DCC?

Dickson: I grew up watching Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT my whole life and honestly never thought it could be a reality for me. During my senior year of college, I decided to go for it and audition, and my life completely changed in the best way after making the team. I’m so grateful I took that leap because this experience has shaped me in ways I could have never imagined.

PEOPLE: What did you feel when you first learned you’d made the squad?

Dickson: I honestly couldn’t believe it. It was such a pinch-me moment. Even four years later, I still feel the exact same way every time I put on the uniform. I’m truly living a dream. But this uniform also comes with a lot of responsibility, so I’m always making sure I’m pursuing excellence for the alumni who came before us, for my teammates now, and for the girls who will continue this legacy one day. I never take for granted how special it is to represent this organization and the star on my uniform.

PEOPLE: How did you feel when you learned Charlotte Tilbury was coming on as the first-ever Official Beauty Partner to the squad?

Dickson: I was SO excited! I’ve loved Charlotte Tilbury since I first started learning how to do makeup, and their products are total staples in my routine. It’s such a dream partnership because the brand fits DCC so well and helps us feel our most confident and feminine while still being powerful and strong.

PEOPLE: What are your top three Charlotte Tilbury products for game day? 

Dickson: I’d say the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder to lock in all the glam, especially my T-zone so it stays matte even after hours of dancing and sweating. Then the Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk, which is super long-lasting and gives the perfect pinky color to my lips. And finally, I have been obsessed with the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick in Cherry Glow. It’s the perfect cream blush that lasts all game long and gives my cheeks the prettiest flush in photos.

PEOPLE: What else do you do to get game-day ready?

Dickson: I swear by dunking my face in a bowl of ice water before I do my makeup. It wakes up and tightens my skin, and I really notice a difference when I do it versus when I don’t. I also love using under-eye patches in the mornings (Charlotte’s Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches, of course). And honestly, beauty sleep and a good meal go a long way in feeling and looking my best on game day.

PEOPLE: Your performance during “Thunderstruck” gets the Cowboys and thousands of fans pumped — what songs get you game-day ready?

Dickson: I love listening to songs that build good energy before a game. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers is always on my playlist because it instantly puts me in the best mood and gets me ready to perform.

PEOPLE: Aside from “Thunderstruck,” what is your favorite song to perform to?

Dickson: I love the routine we do to “Baby I’m a Star” by Prince. We perform it before “Thunderstruck” outside in front of the stadium, and it just has the happiest, most positive energy. It’s also the closest we get to our fans during the game, so it’s really special to make eye contact and connect with them in a more personal way. Those moments remind me why I love what we do.

PEOPLE: How do you get unready after a game?

Dickson: The first thing I do when I get home is take off all my makeup and hop in the shower. Then I eat a huge meal, usually a burger and fries, do my skin care, and go straight to sleep. There’s nothing like that post-game feeling of being exhausted but so happy.

PEOPLE: The squad seems like a family. What’s the best tip, beauty or otherwise, you’ve learned from a squad member?

Dickson: These girls are my family, and I’ve learned so much from all of them. A little trick that’s been passed down for years is using a colored eyeliner in your waterline to enhance your eye color. I love a dark green or blue sometimes. It really makes your eyes pop on the field and in game-day photos. But beyond beauty tips, I’ve learned so much about resilience, professionalism and always lifting each other up.

PEOPLE: Your performances boost everyone’s mood. What mantras lift you up?

Dickson: I always remind myself that confidence is contagious. When you shine, everyone around you feels it too. I also try to stay grounded in gratitude. Remembering how many little girls’ dreams I’m living every day makes me feel so thankful and present in every moment.

Julissa Garcia 

Julissa Garcia is in her second year with DCC.

PEOPLE: How long have you been cheering? 

Julissa Garcia: I have been a cheerleader my whole life. I started cheerleading and dancing when I was 2 years old and have had a passion for performing ever since I could remember.

PEOPLE: When was the moment in your life you knew you wanted to be a DCC?

Garcia: Growing up as a Dallas Cowboys fan, I always watched the football games and cheerleaders on TV, but the moment I knew I wanted to be a DCC was when I was 6 years old. I attended a kids’ camp with the cheerleaders in 2008 at Valley Ranch, and that moment truly made me want to be just like the cheerleaders when I grew up. I even went home and wrote the organization a letter explaining how much I loved the camp, how inspirational the cheerleaders were and that I wanted to be a DCC. They wrote me a letter back telling me to always follow my dreams and work hard. I kept that letter for 16 years as my inspiration and reminder to work hard and follow my dreams of being a DCC.  

PEOPLE: What did you feel when you first learned you’d made the squad? 

Garcia: When I first learned I made DCC, I felt an overwhelming mix of gratitude and pure joy. It was like every dream I’d ever had was coming to life all at once. I thought about all the years of hard work and determination I had to make this dream come true. I am so grateful for everyone who believed in me and supported me along the way. I truly felt so thankful and honored to be a part of this iconic sisterhood and represent something so much bigger than myself. It was a moment I’ll never forget, one that filled my heart completely.

PEOPLE: How did you feel when you learned Charlotte Tilbury was coming on as the first-ever Official Beauty Partner to the squad? 

Garcia: I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect fit! Charlotte Tilbury is all about confidence and glow – everything I strive to embody as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. I’m also an OG fan of her products, so it truly was a match made in heaven.

PEOPLE: What are your top three Charlotte Tilbury products for game day? 

Garcia: My game day go-tos are the Lipstick and Lip Liner in Pillow Talk, the Airbrush Flawless Foundation and the Beauty Light Wands. Pillow Talk is my forever lip combo – it lasts through every performance and gives that perfect pink pop. The Airbrush Foundation is a must because it stays flawless for hours like a true performance product. And I love finishing with the Beauty Light Wands. Peach Pop on my cheeks and Spotlight on my cheekbones for an extra glow!

PEOPLE: What else do you do to get game-day ready?

Garcia: My routine to get game-day ready is always the same for every home game. I pack up my suitcase with my uniform and game-day essentials the night before. I always start every game day with an iced coffee, a quick stretch and then do my hair and makeup. Before I head to the bus, I always run through each routine at my house and then carpool with one of my teammates to the bus.

PEOPLE: Your performance during “Thunderstruck” gets the Cowboys and thousands of fans pumped — what songs get you game-day ready? 

Garcia: Some of my favorite songs that get me game-day ready are “Dancing Queen,” “Conga,” “Dance The Night,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “Tit For Tat,” really anything that is upbeat and energetic will always get me hype for game day.  

PEOPLE: Aside from “Thunderstruck,” what is your favorite song to perform to? 

Garcia: Aside from our iconic “Thunderstruck” pregame performance, my favorite song to perform to is “Baby I’m a Star.” We perform this routine every game outside at Miller LiteHouse about an hour before kickoff.

PEOPLE: How do you get unready after a game?

Garcia: I love to take a long shower and then jump straight into my skincare routine. I think it’s important to take the time to relax, decompress and really focus on myself after being so high-energy at the games. My skin is very dry, so I always apply Charlotte’s Magic Cream on my face and the Magic Body Cream on my legs and arms before getting into bed for the night. 

PEOPLE: The squad seems like a family. What’s the best tip, beauty or otherwise, you’ve learned from a squad member? 

Garcia: The best tip I have learned from one of my teammates is to stay present and grounded in each moment that we are blessed with — and that you can never add too much setting spray!

PEOPLE: Your performances boost everyone’s mood. What mantras lift you up? 

Garcia: The thing that always lifts me up is my parents. They have sacrificed so much for me and my dreams. Every ounce of strength, grace and resilience I have comes from them. They taught me what it means to work hard, to stay kind and to never lose faith. No matter how far I go, I’ll always be thankful for the way they’ve shaped me. Their belief in me became the foundation of my confidence. They are my number one supporters and always lift me up when I need it.

Armani Latimer

Armani Latimer cheered for five seasons with DCC. She retired last year and is now in her first season as a DCC All-Star. 

PEOPLE: How long have you been cheering?

Armani Latimer: I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old, but if you ask my parents, they’ll tell you that I’ve been dancing since I was in the womb. I also did competitive cheerleading for a year and cheered for my middle and high school teams. When I went to college, I was on the dance team at the University of South Carolina!

PEOPLE: When was the moment in your life you knew you wanted to be a DCC?

Latimer: I knew that I wanted to be a DCC when I saw the original show in middle school. I always knew that I wanted to dance professionally, but I never knew what capacity. I was immediately drawn to DCC and the dream of being on the team! 

 PEOPLE: What did you feel when you first learned you’d made the squad?

Latimer: I was so overwhelmingly excited. I was proud of myself that I had made the team. I felt like all of my hard work was rewarded, and I couldn’t wait to call my family and share the good news with them. 

PEOPLE: How did you feel when you learned Charlotte Tilbury was coming on as the first-ever Official Beauty Partner to the squad?

Latimer: I was very excited when I found out! I feel like it’s been a long time coming that we get a makeup sponsor, and it has truly been an iconic partnership so far!

PEOPLE: What are your top three Charlotte Tilbury products for game day? 

Latimer: My top three are the Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer (I love that it has buildable coverage and the flawless look that it gives me under my eyes), the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (it gives me a radiant, glowy look while keeping my makeup in place) and the Pillow Talk Lipstick in the shade Pillow Talk Deep.

PEOPLE: What else do you do to get game-day ready?

Latimer: The night before, I always drink a full Pedialyte and make sure that everything is packed and ready to go. That way, I know my body is fully hydrated and I’m not leaving anything I need at home!

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PEOPLE: Your performance during “Thunderstruck” gets the Cowboys and thousands of fans pumped — what songs get you game-day ready?

Latimer: It really depends on my mood for that day, but I can never go wrong with a Beyoncé or Ciara song on the playlist! 

PEOPLE: Aside from “Thunderstruck,” what is your favorite song to perform to?

Latimer: We have a song we dance called “Bounce Back” and it’s one of my favorites! Not only because it’s an upbeat and fun song to dance to, but also because it was the first dance Kelli gave me a compliment to in training camp my rookie year. 

PEOPLE: How do you get unready after a game? How do you unwind?

Latimer: I love a Sprite or 7-Up right after performing; the bit of carbonation is so refreshing. When I get home, I take my makeup off, take a long shower, elevate my legs while I eat dinner, then go right to bed. 

PEOPLE: The squad seems like a family. What’s the best tip, beauty or otherwise, that you’ve learned from a squad member?

Latimer: It truly is! We share tips and tricks with each other all the time! I learned from Megan that the two different makeup bases (silicon and water-based) don’t mix well, and that it’s important to use one or the other to create a cohesive look!

PEOPLE: Your performances boost everyone’s mood. What mantras lift you up?

Latimer: We actually have our own mantras on DCC, and we call them our Promises! A few of my favorites are “Promise Yourself to think only the best, to work for the best, and to expect only the best,” “Promise Yourself to learn from the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future,” and “Promise yourself, to live in faith that the whole world is on your side so as long as you are true to the best that is in you.”