She’s a STAR

by Laura Breen Galante

Lexi Smith is a sweetheart. In fact, she’s one of America’s Sweethearts, having recently made the cut to join the elite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – the most famous cheerleading squad in the world.

A former resident of Geneva, Lexi is a graduate of Hagerty High School (Class of ‘22) and the University of Central Florida (Class of ‘26). A dancer since the age of three, Lexi was a member of the dance teams at Hagerty and UCF.  During her junior year at UCF, she attended a training clinic offered by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

What a Feeling

“At the intensive, I fell in love with the atmosphere of the team just as much as their style of dance,” says Lexi, 22.

So, before she graduated this year, Lexi decided to try out for the team, affectionately known as America’s Sweethearts. The audition process was an arduous, highly competitive one. For the first round in March, Lexi submitted two videos online: a choreographed jazz solo and an introductory speaking video. She advanced to the second round, which required her to learn a high-energy pom routine with a kick line. Lexi submitted that video, along with another answering several questions.

“After anxiously waiting, I finally received an email from the Cowboys announcing that I made it to the finals,” she says.

The next round, which had been narrowed to 68 young women, took place in June at The Star campus in Frisco, Texas. The 91-acre campus serves as the world headquarters and practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys football team.

Each contestant was required to perform a 90-second solo routine in their own style and costume. Then, they headed to the football field and performed a few routines on the turf. Once all the dancing was complete, they waited for the judges to decide who would advance to the finals (which was a lengthy training camp).

“That night, the coaches announced the 42 girls who made it to training camp,” says Lexi. “I was shocked and excited that I made it through because all of the dancers were extremely talented.”

Training camp lasted about a month and a half before the official team announcement was made in mid-July. To her relief and delight, Lexi was one of eight rookies chosen to fill a spot on the squad and don the iconic blue and white uniform for the 2026-2027 season. 

“I could not be more grateful for that experience this past summer,” she says. “I not only grew in my dance skills but also as a human throughout this process.”

Lexi says it felt surreal to see the star-adorned uniform with her name on it – the same blue top, white vest, white shorts, and white boots worn by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for decades. The uniform is such a part of pop culture that it was added to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History collection in 2018. 

“Being given the opportunity to now wear the stars on my uniform is truly an honor,” says Lexi. “I can only hope to be just as inspiring to the younger girls in this next upcoming generation.”

Homegrown Talent

At Hagerty, Lexi was a four-year varsity dance team member. As a senior and co-captain, she helped lead the team to the school’s first title at Dance Team Union nationals in 2022. 

“Some of my favorite moments on that team were performing at pep rallies before football games,” says Lexi.

At UCF, she was a member of the dance team all four years and competed at Universal Dance Association college nationals each year. Lexi fondly recalls dancing with her teammates at the university’s men’s basketball and football games. 

“Something about performing in front of a large crowd rooting for a common goal is so special,” she says. 

For Lexi, rooting for UCF is a family tradition. Her mom and uncle were both on the school’s cheer team.

“I feel so honored to have followed in the footsteps of two people who are so important to me,” says Lexi. “Since childhood, I have always been a Knight!”

Lexi credits her Central Florida roots and years on the Hagerty and UCF dance teams for putting her on a path that has led to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

“I am so extremely thankful to both amazing programs for training and prepping me for this new journey of my dance career in the NFL,” says Lexi, who can’t wait to dance on the sidelines for the Dallas Cowboys. “I feel so blessed to be a part of a team and organization with such kind, talented, and amazing young women.”