Hobart dancer Lilah Harding has narrowly missed out on a spot with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders after travelling to Texas as the only Australian among 64 finalists for the famous squad.
Harding, 19, shared the news on social media, saying the experience had left her with “a full heart, unforgettable memories, and no regrets”.
“Just being in that room was surreal,” she said.
“The talent was next level, and to stand alongside so many incredible women chasing the same dream was something I’ll never forget.”
“It wasn’t my time this year, but I’m so grateful for the journey, the people I met, and the opportunity to push myself beyond what I thought was possible.”
Only six spots were available on the squad this year.
Harding had advanced through two online audition rounds that drew thousands of applicants from around the world before flying to Texas for a live audition at the Star in Frisco, the Cowboys’ headquarters.
Speaking with Pulse before the finals, she said making it that far on her first attempt had exceeded her own expectations.
“It was my first try, and like already making it this far is more than I really thought I could do,” she said.
“To get the job would just be a dream come true really.”
The global profile of the Cowboys cheerleaders has surged following three seasons of the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, with rumours a fourth season will be filmed this year.
Harding grew up in Bellerive and attended the Friends School, training at the House of Dance from the age of four before moving to the Gold Coast in 2023 to study dancing full-time.
Before the audition, Harding described the Cowboys opportunity as one of the best dance jobs in the world.
“It’s probably one of, you know, the best dance jobs there is out there,” she said.
“It’s like America’s team really.”
Despite the setback, Harding signalled she wasn’t done chasing the dream, writing online that “the best is yet to come”.
