DCC’s Kleine Powell Addresses Backlash to Kelli Finglass Drama, Fans Arguing She ‘Deserves Better’

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders veteran Kleine Powell has heard all of the chatter about the feedback she gets from DCC director Kelli Finglass — but she thinks some fans are missing the point.
“We have such a mom-and-daughter relationship that I think a lot of people forget about,” Powell, 26, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “I’ve seen several comments of people saying, ‘You deserve better,’ and all of these things. Definitely rallying behind me and rooting for me, which I so appreciate.”
During season 3 of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered June 16, Powell and Finglass, 61 share some moments of tough love, including a conversation about why Powell’s teammates didn’t view her as a first group leader.
Instead of focusing on how some squad members perceived her, Powell urged viewers to remember when Finglass said “she sees a lot of herself in me.”
Related: DCC Breakout Star Faith Ward Addresses Controversy Over Social Media Past
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders breakout star Faith Ward reflected on being confronted over her past on social media before making the team. During season 3 of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Ward, 23, had a stern conversation with DCC director Kelli Finglass about “unflattering pictures” she was tagged in when she was a teenager. “It […]“Since day one, Kelli Finglass has been the one who has wanted me on this team more than anybody,” Powell continued. “She’s been in my corner. She’s the one that I can call up when I have an issue. Or more often than not, she’s the one calling me at 11 at night and we’re having these long conversations about the day, about something that happened at practice, or she is just telling me about life. We really do have that relationship that I think is so special.”
Powell argued that some of the drama on the show has led to opinions about her bond with Finglass to get “muddled.”

“They have their thoughts in the back of their mind, but Kelli and I are ride-or-die besties,” Powell said. “We have so much fun together, we laugh together, we banter. I might be at the wrong place at the wrong time most times, however I would rather it be me to catch her little nuances so we can have a conversation about it later than a rookie or somebody who is brand new to the team.”
Finglass echoed all of Powell’s comments in an exclusive interview with Us, saying she “adores” the longtime DCC member. Powell decided to retire from the squad following the 2025-26 season.
Related: Kelli Finglass Reveals Status With Bramhall Family After Cutting Dayton Again
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass revealed where her relationship stands with associate choreographer Shelly Bramhall after cutting Shelly’s daughter, Dayton, for the third consecutive time. “We are still standing,” Finglass, 61, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, June 23. “Shelly is still reporting to work and contributing in a big way. She always has. […]“Kleine and I have a more casual relationship is how I would describe it,” the DCC director explained. “She’s funny, and on occasion I’m funny. She’s just a great example of somebody who I never have to sugarcoat feedback. If I see something, I’m going to say something. Probably because I know she can handle it.”
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Deal of the Day
Prime Day Is Almost Over! But These Bestselling Summer Flip Flops Are Still 64% Off View DealFinglass credited the show for catching their “real moments,” however awkward or uncomfortable they might be for some viewers.
“I have fun with Kleine,” she said. “I don’t cut up with a lot of the cheerleaders, but she’s one. I think our relationship is a little misunderstood in that way. I’m not picking on Kleine, I love Kleine. She keeps things fun.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available to stream now.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming

Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'