The departure of three of the Dallas Cowboys' most beloved cheerleaders has left the team deeply shaken

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are preparing for another season in the spotlight, but the return of Netflix's America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will come with a bittersweet change.

Season 4 has officially been confirmed for 2027, with Netflix once again taking viewers behind the scenes of auditions, training camp and the NFL season.

However, the new episodes will feature a substantially different group of dancers after several popular members of the squad decided to move on.

Among the most significant departures are Reece Weaver, Megan McElaney and Kleine Powell , three cheerleaders who became especially recognizable to viewers through the first three seasons of the Netflix documentary series.

Their exits mean that the fourth season will have to establish a new group of personalities while continuing the stories of returning veterans.

Reece's departure has perhaps generated the biggest reaction. She became one of the faces most closely associated with America’s Sweethearts, having joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as a rookie during the same season the Netflix series debuted.

Her three-season journey included some of the show's most memorable personal and professional moments.

Unlike many dancers who remain with the organization for several years, Reece chose to leave after three seasons. She subsequently secured a major new opportunity, with a Broadway debut in Chicago marking the next stage of her career.

“I don't think I’ve ever been more nervous before in my life,” Reece recalled of the day she announced her retirement. “The scary part is I don’t know where I’m landing, and so it’s just about going into the unknown.”

Her decision was particularly emotional because she had become synonymous with the Netflix series.

Three familiar faces are moving on

Megan McElaney and Kleine Powell are also leaving the DCC after lengthy runs with the organization. Both had reached the five-year mark, making their departures part of the natural cycle of life on one of the NFL's most demanding cheerleading squads.

Megan finished her DCC career on an especially high note, earning Veteran of the Year honors and serving as a group leader during her final season. Kleine had likewise established herself as a veteran presence before stepping away.

The departures don't mean the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are short of recognizable personalities, however.

Several familiar dancers remain, including Charly Barby , who was highlighted in Netflix's Season 4 announcement, as well as other returning veterans. The 2026-27 roster also includes eight new rookies, creating a mixture of established stars and newcomers.

Two of the most important figures behind the scenes will also remain. Senior director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell are both returning, ensuring that the show's central leadership remains intact.

Finglass welcomed another opportunity to showcase the dancers and their individual journeys.

“Each new season is another opportunity to showcase the extraordinary talent, dedication and individuality of our team,” she said.

“We’re proud to continue to share their stories and artistry with audiences, inspiring the next generation of young performers all over the world to dream big and pursue their passions.”

The changes are a reminder of just how quickly the DCC landscape can evolve. America’s Sweethearts follows the cheerleaders from auditions through training camp and the football season, meaning viewers become invested not only in the performances but also in the individual women behind the uniforms.

That emotional investment is precisely why the departures of Reece , Megan and Kleine have landed so heavily with fans.

Still, their exits also create an opportunity for the fourth season to introduce a new generation of fan favorites. Several former cut candidates have already returned to training camp, while the new rookie class will get its chance to establish itself in front of Netflix's enormous audience.

Netflix has not yet announced an exact premiere date for Season 4, although the series is expected to return in 2027.

The new season will follow the 2026-27 DCC campaign, meaning viewers can expect another mixture of auditions, intense preparation, football performances and personal stories.

For longtime viewers, however, one thing will be impossible to ignore: the fourth season will look noticeably different without three of the show's most familiar faces.

Reece, Megan and Kleine may have left the squad, but their impact on America’s Sweethearts is likely to remain part of the show's identity for years to come.