Kriti Mehrotra
Since the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, aka “America’s Sweethearts,” have set the gold standard in NFL dance since their inception in the 1960s, they are undeniably an iconic brand. In fact, over the past two decades, they have even managed to go global with the help of CMT’s ‘Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team’ (2006-2021) and then Netflix’s ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.’ However, it’s the girls who are at the core of everything they do, especially since they are the epitome of beauty, brains, and grace, like Amanda Howard from season 2 of the latter series.
Amanda Howard Was Unaware of the Scope of Dance Until She Was in College
Although Amanda Howard hails from the small town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California, she reportedly grew up in a comfortable household with affection, care, and stability. It comes as no surprise that once she started dancing at the age of 2, her parents and her brother supported her at every turn, even though there were no competitions or levels for this art form in the area. This was to such an extent that when she was in high school, she had to take dance classes at a local junior college because there was no other way she could continue honing her skills.
Amanda subsequently attended Sonoma State University for her Bachelor’s degree, which is where she learned what a dance team was for the very first time, opening several doors for her. The 2016 District Barista Champion then decided to try out for the institution’s squad, only to realize upon making it that being a part of such a community means more than just dance. She understood the intricacies of the industry, grasped the true meaning of a team, and found herself training much more technically to keep up with all her fellow athletes, with whom she’d formed a sisterhood.
Amanda was on the Sonoma State Dance Team for merely one season, but because she wasn’t ready to let go of her passion anytime soon, she then chose to audition for an NFL dance team. She actually made it to training camp during her very first attempt, yet she was cut not long after due to her confidence, style, and power just not aligning with what they needed at the time. So, she went back to the drawing board and spent a year practicing harder than ever before, only for it all to culminate with her landing a spot on the renowned Golden State Warriors Dance Team.
Amanda Howard Willingly Chose to Hang Up Her Boots in 2025
It was during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020 that Amanda relocated to Texas in the hopes of kickstarting a new chapter, just to find herself auditioning for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She was cut relatively early from training camp during her first try in 2021, but when she returned the following year after growing even more dedicated, she killed every single performance. As a result, at the age of 25, she became a rookie for DCC, growing empowered with their message of community, generosity, and kindness, all the while being beautiful, graceful, and private.
Amanda enjoyed being a DCC girl so much that it showed in her performances, resulting in her not only earning the title of Rookie of the Year but also catching the eye of the higher-ups. Therefore, when she auditioned for the 2023-24 and the 2024-25 seasons, they vividly remembered her name, which, combined with her unwavering skills, really helped her along the way. That’s why Amanda felt deliberately overlooked when she wasn’t picked to be on the roster for a few high-profile public appearances in 2024, and she believed it could have possibly been due to her stance on higher pay. She did candidly speak to Director Kelli Finglass about it, and while she was assured this was not at all the case, she still felt as if her efforts and presence weren’t being valued. So, at the end of the season, she chose herself by revealing she wouldn’t return for a 4th year.
With the Support of Her Husband, Amanda Has Evolved Into a Content Creator
While it’s unclear when Amanda first met Joseph Howard, they got engaged in the summer of 2016 before tying the knot in August 2017. They celebrated their love with a beautifully cozy ceremony, after which they settled down in California and then Texas, where Joseph currently serves as a certified public accountant. He has supported Amanda through thick and thin, so with her now being a full-time influencer, he not only backs her but also doesn’t mind featuring in her content. Their plan for a family apparently includes no children; it appears that they want to be dog parents for the rest of their lives, possibly even adding to the two fur babies they already have. They have since removed a timeline for every little aspect of their life because their focus these days is earning well, spending quality time together, and traveling the world.
In fact, ever since Amanda’s commitment to the DCC came to an end with the national tour in May, the 28-year-old and her husband have been traversing across Europe to undertake new experiences. They’ve already covered Italy as well as Switzerland, and we can’t wait to see what’s on their itinerary next, especially since they are making adorable videos at each stop to keep fans up to date. Therefore, with partnerships with The Smooth Company, Sephora, Disney+, and many more such brands, along with her mini-vlogs on home finds, silly moments with her brother, as well as everyday married life, Amanda really is making a name for herself as a Beauty, Fashion, and Lifestyle influencer these days.
Read More: Madie Krueger: Where is the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Now?
