Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Claire Wolford has publicly responded to a wave of body-shaming comments she received after a recent performance, stating that such criticism would have devastated her in the past.
From Spiral to Strength: A Public Response
Wolford, who cheered for the Cowboys from 2020 to 2024 and now serves as an All-Star—a fill-in role for the official squad—returned to the field for the Thanksgiving game. It was her first performance there in two years. The negative comments appeared on a video of that game.
In a heartfelt TikTok posted on a Saturday, Wolford revealed the personal impact. "I just really hope people realize not the effect you had on me because I spent years of my life body shaming myself, over exercising, trying to make myself fit a certain mold," she said, becoming emotional. She emphasized she has since healed and found peace with her body image based on her faith.
Her primary concern, however, was for others. "You never know who you are triggering," Wolford cautioned, noting that such comments could harm girls of all sizes who see them.
Solidarity from the Sidelines
Several current Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders rallied behind Wolford online, calling her a "role model" and an "inspiration." Fellow All-Star Elli DiGiovanni posted a supportive TikTok, defending Wolford's talent and highlighting the immense physical pressure of the job.
DiGiovanni described the grueling pregame routine to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" as intensely demanding, even for someone in top shape. "It does not get easier. Four years of doing it every game, practices, you are dancing at 110% every single time for four minutes straight," she explained.
She praised Wolford for being asked to fill in and for "crushing" the performance. DiGiovanni also shed light on the intense self-scrutiny cheerleaders face, amplified by the iconic uniform tailored to each woman's measurements. "There is not a time that any one of us puts on that uniform and doesn't look in the mirror and question ourselves for a second," she shared, listing common insecurities about stomach, legs, and appearance.
A History of Scrutiny and Shifting Standards
This is not Wolford's first time addressing body-shaming. In a 2024 podcast, she mentioned past comments labeling her "obese" and suggesting she wouldn't have made the squad in earlier, stricter eras.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have a long history of exacting physical standards. Former director Kelli Finglass once cited an ideal pin-up girl figure: 36-inch bust, 24-inch waist, and 36-inch hips. The Netflix docuseries "America's Sweethearts" featured former cheerleader Victoria Kalina discussing weigh-ins and cycles of binging and purging to fit into the uniform.
However, Finglass has indicated a recent shift, stating that the focus on weight has changed because talking about it "wasn't effective." Wolford's public stance highlights the ongoing personal and cultural struggle with body image within high-profile performance roles.
