Season 3 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders featured many compelling storylines, but one that stood out was Dayton Bramhall's fourth attempt to join the team.

Fans first got to know Dayton during season 2 when she auditioned for a third time before being cut during training camp. In season 3, she returned, hoping to finally make it — but this time she didn't even make it to training camp.

Her story was made more complex by the complicated dynamic between her and her mother, Shelly Bramhall, who works as the team's associate choreographer — a relationship that sparked debate about nepotism and whether Dayton was receiving special treatment.

So what has happened to Dayton since her attempts to join the squad?

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

Who is Dayton?

Dayton Bramhall was one of the hopefuls desperately trying to secure a spot on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad in season 2. But here's where things get messy — her mum, Shelly Bramhall, isn't just any proud parent cheering from the sidelines. She's DCC's associate choreographer, which means she's literally part of the organisation judging her own daughter.

Dayton has been dancing since she was just three years old, training at The Young Company dance studio. This insider connection should have been Dayton's golden ticket but, as viewers quickly discovered, it became the source of some seriously uncomfortable viewing.

What made Dayton's story even more complex was that this wasn't her first rodeo — she'd previously auditioned for the team twice before, including an appearance on CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team back in 2018.

"Getting cut did kind of leave some scar tissue there," Dayton said during America's Sweethearts.

In season 3, Dayton's determination wasn't dampened. She returned to audition for a third time.

"When Dayton applied, there's hope that Dayton is stronger and better and more competitive," DCC director Kelli Finglass said during the season.

"And then there's a little bit of dread of, 'Oh my gosh. I've seen these applications. I know how competitive the field is.' "

Ultimately, her fourth audition attempt was unsuccessful again.

What happened to Dayton on the show?

During season 2, Dayton received constant feedback during training camp, including being told to have "more power behind every step."

But the real issue became increasingly apparent as the weeks progressed — she was struggling to memorise the routines.

"I definitely need to work on memorising a few dances," she admitted. "There's one that just won't stick in my body, but I'll get it."

Kelli was direct: "She obviously always does beautiful solos, but then when you get in that room and it comes down to some of those words that we say a lot, 'Power, projection, precision and the strength.' She's not keeping up with the momentum of learning all the routines."

Kelli and head choreographer Judy Trammell called a meeting with Dayton, telling her they wanted to give her the "best chance to be successful."

"None of us want you to make this team just because you have a history. You need to earn to make this team," Kelli told Dayton.

Throughout these interactions, Kelli and Judy were clearly walking on eggshells, mindful of how their decisions about Dayton would affect her mother.

In the emotional conversation where Dayton was finally cut, Kelli explained that it would be a "disservice to have [her] make this team and struggle all year."

A year later, in 2025, Dayton returned for another audition, shown in season 3.

She said that she had spent the year "working [her] booty off" to prepare for another audition, after being cut the year prior.

"I feel more confident this year. I feel more myself, more grown up, so I don't feel like I'm trying to cut and paste into a different mould."

But it wasn't enough. Dayton was cut during the final round before training camp.

"I would not have wanted Dayton to have had to go through another training camp and be cut again," Judy said of the decision.

Posting to Instagram last week, Dayton shared stills from the season, writing: "At least I can say I gave it my all".

Dayton's relationship with her mum.

Perhaps the most compelling — and uncomfortable — aspect of Dayton's storyline was her relationship with her mother. As a former DCC member turned choreographer, Shelly had intimate knowledge of what it took to make the team — but this insider perspective created an overwhelming pressure-cooker environment.

Throughout the season, it became increasingly obvious that Dayton making the team felt more like the fulfilment of her mother's dream than her own.

After Dayton was cut in season 3, Shelly could be heard saying, "No, I'm not okay".

"She did everything they asked her to do," Shelly said.

"You take strangers that you don't know and you can't even give someone who you held in the hospital a chance."

What is Dayton doing now?

While Dayton's DCC journey may have come to an end, she hasn't stepped away from dance.

Following season 2, Dayton transitioned into teaching, working as an instructor at The Young Company dance studio in The Colony, Texas, per her Instagram account. She appears to have since moved on.

"2025 shifted me in ways I didn't expect," she wrote in an Instagram post in December.

"A new job, a new place and friendships that feel like home showed me that growth isn't just about change. It's about alignment. I learnt to trust myself, protect my peace and let good things find me. Proud of who I'm becoming."

As for DCC, Dayton says that chapter is behind her now.

"This audition was definitely my last with DCC. I am closing that chapter and opening up a new one. I am so glad that I gave it another shot because I've learnt so many things about myself," she wrote in a personal essay for Glamour following her cut last year.

"I've grown so much these past two years, just from this experience alone. That was enough for me, and now it's time to move onto the next thing and grow somewhere else."

Dayton says the "biggest thing" she would love to do is dance on Broadway and in the West End in London.

Feature Image: Netflix.