It’s been a busy offseason for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. After a second hit season of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, members of the team had another milestone to celebrate: DCC Zoë Dale’s marriage to her NFL kicker fiancé, Cade York. And yes, the occasion called for a very special performance.

The “Thunderstruck” Tradition

Dale and York, who announced their engagement in March, tied the knot on July 5 at Verona Villa in Frisco, Texas. At least two of Dale’s DCC teammates — Kelee Norris and Sophia Brown — served as bridesmaids. Then, at the reception, they and other members of the squad joined Dale for a DCC tradition.

Together, they performed “Thunderstruck,” the signature dance that DCCs do before games — and at their wedding celebrations, pom-poms included. As the bride, Dale got to be point, the most coveted spot in the formation.

Sharing footage of the performance to her Instagram story, wedding photographer Emily Road wrote, “yes it was just as iconic as you’d imagine it would be.” Fans also found clips on social media to share online.

“I love that every bride who does Thunderstruck at her wedding gets to be point, even if she never got to be point when she was a DCC,” one supporter wrote on Reddit. “It warms my heart for them.”

Brown posted photos from the wedding on Instagram afterward, including one of their “Thunderstruck” performance. “I am truly honored to have stood by your side on your special day,” she wrote to York. “So many tears of joy were shed, and I can’t wait to watch you flourish in this beautiful new season of life. Love you my ZoZo.”

Zoë & Cade’s Love Story

Dale and York first went public with their relationship in June 2024, when Dale included a snap of them together in an Instagram photo carousel, per Us Weekly. Their relationship later went viral when York’s Cincinnati Bengals traveled to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Dec. 9, 2024, just days after he’d been signed to the team. Before the game, York told the Cincinnati Enquirer Dale had told him when she’d be on his side of the field and said, “I’ll have to sneak her a couple smiles.”

During the game, cameras caught Dale celebrating York’s efforts, and the two also shared a kiss on the field afterward.

The couple has continued to share glimpses of their relationship online, including their engagement announcement and a periodic countdown of days till their wedding. Following the big event, Dale wrote, “A lifetime of us!!”

The debut season of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders was a viral sensation, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the prospective squad as they powered through auditions, training camp, and (hopefully) making the roster.

But for many viewers, the most compelling part of the series wasn’t only watching the young women pursue their dream — it was the practical realities of living that dream every day. Namely, fans criticized the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ pay, voicing their surprise that the women cheering for the most profitable team in the NFL (per Forbes) had to work multiple jobs to make a living.

Charlotte Jones, Cowboys owner and chief brand officer, says in Season 1: “There’s a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders, as it should be. They’re not paid a lot.”

While Jones goes on to say that the cheerleaders “don’t come here for the money,” it’s clear that pay is a crucial consideration — and frequent sore spot — for many members of the team. Season 2 digs even deeper into the issue, following a group of cheerleaders spearheading the effort to achieve improved pay. So, what happens? Here’s a recap of the new contract and what the team has to say about it today.

The DCC’s Pay Raise In Season 2

Many of the cheerleaders found their contracts were “not up to par” going into the 2024-2025 NFL season, fifth-year veteran Jada McLean says in Season 2. This was especially surprising on the heels of American Sweethearts Season 1, which generated even more publicity for the program.

Fortunately, Jada and several of her teammates worked together to make a change. They initiated talks with the team’s legal and human resources departments, and by the end of the season, their efforts were rewarded with a 400% pay increase.

Looking Ahead

“I think we’re just really happy with where we’ve ended up with all of that, and where that conversation has landed,” Jada tells Bustle.

While Jada will not be returning to the Cowboys for the 2025-2026 season, she’s heartened that the increase will benefit her teammates and spark more changes to come. “Hopefully, in the future, that’ll just be a discussion that continues to get better and better,” she says. “But for the progress made in one season, I think it’s something that we’re all very proud of.”

Director Kelli Finglass also opened up about how America’s Sweethearts has been a boon for the team, with several members using the show’s exposure to enhance their personal brands. “A lot of them are becoming influencers, and they’re getting new opportunities. That’s probably the biggest change. You’re able to monetize the visibility a little bit,” she says, adding the players have stayed “grounded” through it all.