Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders veteran Kleine Powell has heard all of the chatter about the feedback she gets from DCC director Kelli Finglass — but she thinks some fans are missing the point.
“We have such a mom-and-daughter relationship that I think a lot of people forget about,” Powell, 26, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “I’ve seen several comments of people saying, ‘You deserve better,’ and all of these things. Definitely rallying behind me and rooting for me, which I so appreciate.”
During season 3 of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered June 16, Powell and Finglass, 61 share some moments of tough love, including a conversation about why Powell’s teammates didn’t view her as a first group leader.
Instead of focusing on how some squad members perceived her, Powell urged viewers to remember when Finglass said “she sees a lot of herself in me.”
“Since day one, Kelli Finglass has been the one who has wanted me on this team more than anybody,” Powell continued. “She’s been in my corner. She’s the one that I can call up when I have an issue. Or more often than not, she’s the one calling me at 11 at night and we’re having these long conversations about the day, about something that happened at practice, or she is just telling me about life. We really do have that relationship that I think is so special.”
Powell argued that some of the drama on the show has led to opinions about her bond with Finglass to get “muddled.”
“They have their thoughts in the back of their mind, but Kelli and I are ride-or-die besties,” Powell said. “We have so much fun together, we laugh together, we banter. I might be at the wrong place at the wrong time most times, however I would rather it be me to catch her little nuances so we can have a conversation about it later than a rookie or somebody who is brand new to the team.”
Finglass echoed all of Powell’s comments in an exclusive interview with Us, saying she “adores” the longtime DCC member. Powell decided to retire from the squad following the 2025-26 season.
“Kleine and I have a more casual relationship is how I would describe it,” the DCC director explained. “She’s funny, and on occasion I’m funny. She’s just a great example of somebody who I never have to sugarcoat feedback. If I see something, I’m going to say something. Probably because I know she can handle it.”
Finglass credited the show for catching their “real moments,” however awkward or uncomfortable they might be for some viewers.
“I have fun with Kleine,” she said. “I don’t cut up with a lot of the cheerleaders, but she’s one. I think our relationship is a little misunderstood in that way. I’m not picking on Kleine, I love Kleine. She keeps things fun.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available to stream now.
