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Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders open 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' after NFL opener

Jimmy Fallon and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders during “Audience Suggestion Box” on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Todd Owyoung
Jimmy Fallon and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders during “Audience Suggestion Box” on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders opened The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday with a high-energy performance. The show followed the NFL season opener where the Dallas Cowboys played the Philadelphia Eagles.

Six dancers shook their pompoms in unison to a new routine as a glowing star floated behind them while Steve Higgins introduced the guests for the night.

It wasn’t their first appearance on the late-night show. In June, the squad performed their signature pregame “Thunderstruck” routine alongside Fallon during a segment called Audience Suggestion Box.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders drew national attention in 2024 after the first season of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders premiered on Netflix. The series pulls back the curtains on the iconic team, spotlighting grueling tryouts, long hours of rehearsals and the challenge of balancing personal lives with professional demands.

Season 2 grabbed just as much attention after premiering in June. One buzzworthy moment was when the show revealed dancers secured a 400% pay raise after some veteran cheerleaders advocated for wage increases throughout the season.

Netflix announced in August that America’s Sweethearts will return for Season 3 in 2026.

Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA.

This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism.

Zara was born in Croydon, England, and moved to Texas at eight years old. She grew up running track and field until her last year at the University of North Texas. She previously interned for D Magazine and has a strong passion for music history and art culture.