Just days before America’s Sweethearts fans watched Reece Weaver hang up her Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform for good, the 24-year-old made her way to the Big Apple to do what she does best.
On a warm June evening, I made my way to The Pearl on the Upper East Side for an the ultimate experience any dancer could ever dream of: an intimate dance class with the now-former DCC and activewear brand Halara. Looking back now, it not only felt like a celebration of everything she’s built over the last three seasons but also everything she’s about to become.
Before we all met inside, we slipped on matching Primrose Pink SoftlyZero™ dance dresses (which are currently on sale for $44.95) from her recent edit, and honestly? I get why Reece picked this one. It never rode up, somehow kept me cool despite dancing for an hour, and looked cute enough that I would’ve happily worn it straight to drinks with my girlfriends after class.
While everyone was looking forward to what was about to come out of the next two hours, the event specifically carried an extra layer of meaning for me. Dance was my first love long before entertainment journalism ever entered the picture.
For 20 years, I was in and out of my local dance studio training in just about every style imaginable — tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, pointe, contemporary and even Irish step dance. So walking into The Pearl and realizing I’d be learning choreography from one of the most recognizable women in professional cheerleading? Safe to say I was equal parts excited… and wondering if I still remembered how to pick up an eight-count after being away for nearly a decade.
Whether you’ve watched her shine on Netflix‘s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders or followed her journey online, it’s easy to understand why Reece has become such a fan favorite. Beyond the technical precision she’s known for, the 24-year-old brings an infectious warmth into every room. She made everyone — regardless of dance experience — feel comfortable enough to let loose, laugh through missed steps and simply enjoy moving. And that inclusivity made all the difference.
There were former dancers rediscovering their rhythm, beginners trying something completely new and everyone in between cheering each other on. It never felt intimidating. It felt like the kind of class you’d immediately text your group chat about how confident you felt afterward — and maybe that’s why I’ve always had a soft spot for NFL cheerleaders.
My sister spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, went on to become a Pro Bowler and now cheers as an All-Star, so I grew up watching the amount of discipline these women pour into a job that so many people underestimate. Seeing Reece up close only reinforced that respect.
Following three unforgettable seasons with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Reece is officially turning the page, moving back to Alabama with her husband and embracing whatever comes next. While the future is still unfolding, she’s choosing to approach it with the same optimism that’s made so many people root for her.
“I’m actually getting that question a lot,” she laughed when asked what life after DCC looks like after class. “For the first time, I actually get to take ownership of what’s next and kind of take a moment for myself to really think about what that is.”
One thing she knows for certain? Dance isn’t going anywhere.
“I still want to continue to dance. That is my first love,” she shared. “I trained as a studio dancer… I think I’m going to go back to my roots and get back in the studio.”
As someone who also grew up in a studio, there’s something special about hearing another dancer describe the pull back to classical training. It’s difficult to explain unless you’ve lived it, but dance has a way of becoming part of your identity long after you’ve stopped performing. Hearing Reece talk about reconnecting with that version of herself while I was experiencing those same feelings in real time made the class unexpectedly emotional.
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If you haven’t started America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders yet, consider this your sign. Watching Reece’s final chapter with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hits a little differently after seeing firsthand the joy, humility and heart she brings into every room.
As for me? I’ll happily take another dance class anytime.
