'The problem that ruined season 2 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for me.'

There's a bitter irony in being present but not seen.

When I first came across Allison Khong's Instagram last year and learned that an Asian woman had made the 2024 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad, something lit up inside me. It was that rare feeling of possibility — of seeing someone who looks like you in a space where, historically, people like us scarcely existed.

Now, Allison is not the first (and hopefully not the last) Asian woman to make the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team. The first Asian woman to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC) was Tomoko Mita Johnston, who joined the squad in 1998. Since then, there have been a handful of other trailblazers on the squad, including Malia Morales and Yuko Kawata.

But to see it happening in real-time, following the success of season one of Netflix's America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, felt meaningful.

For a moment, I allowed myself to feel genuine excitement. Growing up Asian-Australian, I never imagined someone who looked like me could be considered one of "America's Sweethearts" and appear on one Netflix's biggest shows. This wasn't just a win for Allison… it felt like a milestone for Asian women everywhere.

Watch the trailer for America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season two. Article continues after video.

So when season two of the Netflix documentary was announced, I eagerly counted down the days until its release. Finally, I thought we'd get to witness an Asian woman's journey on one of the most iconic cheerleading teams in the world.

But as I watched episode after episode, that excitement slowly deflated into a familiar disappointment.

Allison was there, technically. But only if you were looking for her. You'd catch glimpses of her in moving shots, always in the background. You'd see her briefly in group settings, but never centred; never focused on. Occasionally, her photo would flash on screen during assessment scenes — a quick reminder that yes, she exists on this team. But that's where it ended.

We never — not once — heard her speak. Not a single word. Not one interview. Not one personal reflection. Not even a mention of her name by anyone on the show. For God's sake, we didn't even get a shot of her getting her uniform when she made the team.

What makes this even more frustrating is that, from the fleeting moments we do see of Allison, her talent and presence are undeniable. She's stunning, with that unmistakable DCC energy and aura that separates the elite from the hopefuls.

Image: Netflix

In those brief glimpses during routines, you can see she belongs on that field. Her technique is sharp, her performance quality evident, and she carries herself with the confidence and grace that defines a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. The camera may not linger on her, but when it does catch her, it's clear she has everything it takes to be not just a member of the team, but a standout performer worthy of the spotlight.

The friendship-building moments that humanised other cheerleaders? Allison wasn't there. The emotional heart-to-hearts that gave us insight into the women behind the uniform? Allison wasn't included. The personal journeys that formed the backbone of the entire series? Allison's remained untold.

In fact, I believe the only time we even get any reference to her existence is during a practice where Kelli casually says, "[Number] two was great," presumably referring to Allison in a lineup.

Number two. That's all we get. No name, no real acknowledgement. They don't even pan to Allison in that moment.

This omission of any real story or substance feels particularly glaring given the conversations that surrounded season one, where many viewers criticised the show's tone-deaf cuts and treatment of women of colour.

Image: Instagram/allisonkhong

Watching the show last season, I felt a similar disappointment when rookie Anisha — a South Asian woman and fan-favourite — was cut from the team. Not to mention, that painfully uncomfortable scene where Anisha stood awkwardly as the other two girls who were cut were embraced and supported by the rest of the team… but not her.

Don't get me wrong, I think we've come quite a way since then. I definitely appreciate how much the team seems to have responded to last year's backlash — including more diverse cheerleaders and centring some really powerful stories from women of colour on the team, like Jada and Armani.

But not all the storytelling this year has caught up with the attempt at diverse casting.

What makes this especially disappointing is that the show doesn't shy away from deep personal narratives. We witness powerful moments like a cheerleader with alopecia choosing to perform without her wig for the first time. We follow the complicated journeys of mother-daughter relationships and career aspirations. These stories matter, and they're told beautifully.

So why wasn't Allison's story worth telling?

For those who might not understand why this matters, representation isn't just about being physically present. It's about being seen, heard, and valued. It's about having your journey acknowledged as equally important to those around you.

Image: Netflix

When one of the only Asian women on the team becomes essentially a background character, it sends a message about whose stories are considered interesting, relatable, or important.

I don't believe this was necessarily malicious. It's more likely a blind spot — the kind that exists when diversity is viewed as merely a visual element rather than an opportunity to broaden the storytelling lens.

As I watched the final episode, I couldn't help but think about young Asian girls watching the show and scanning the screen for someone who looks like them. They'd see Allison in those wide shots, perhaps feel a moment of connection, and then wait in vain for her story to unfold.

For Asian women, this felt like the familiar sting of being overlooked. It's the pattern of being included but not featured, present but not centred, visible but not really seen or heard.

Season two of America's Sweethearts had an opportunity to break new ground by featuring the journey of an Asian woman in a space where we've historically been scarce. Instead, it reinforced the message that we can make the team, but our stories still don't make the cut.

Feature Image: Netflix.