Faith Ward, one of the newest Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the first from New Zealand, addressed the backlash over her ponytail hairstyle, which breaks the team’s traditional look of long, voluminous curls. Ward explained that the ponytail idea was actually suggested and approved by DCC director Kelli Finglass to help keep her hair out of her face and avoid sweat during intense routines like the “Thunderstruck” dance. Finglass even likened Ward’s ponytail to an “Ariana Grande moment,” encouraging a fresh style for the team rather than sticking strictly to tradition.
Ward said she is “very hopeful” the ponytail will be part of her look during the 2025 season but noted that final confirmation depends on future decisions, including “cameo day” headshots, where the team’s hairstyles are solidified. She emphasized that by wearing the ponytail, she has “broken that stereotype” of the iconic DCC hairstyle, which fans have long expected to be big, fluffy, and worn down. Despite some fans’ vocal disapproval, Ward remains optimistic about the potential new direction for the cheerleaders’ image.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time a DCC member has deviated from the traditional style. Ava Lahey, a second-year veteran, wears her hair straight because curls did not hold well for her, and choreographers agreed that her hair “dances better” that way.
Ward’s ponytail sparked viral debate because it challenges the long-standing beauty standards of the squad, but with the support of the director and her own confidence, she is paving the way for a more inclusive and varied team look
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