In Season 2 of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the team dynamic dramatically shited after a trip to the Bahamas. When the ladies returned, group leader Chandi Dayle had stepped away from the team.
Judy Trammell, the team’s choreographer, told the squad that Chandi was taking a “leave of absence.” That was true, but it wasn’t the full story. It turns out that the six-year veteran broke a major rule for the cheerleading organization, leaving some of her teammates feeling uncomfortable.
Why is Chandi Dayle taking a leave of absence?
In Season 2 Episode 7 of America’s Sweethearts, Chandi revealed that she “met someone” during the trip to the Bahamas. Freshly out of a breakup and still reeling from a previous abusive relationship, Chandi confided in this Bahamian stranger. She ended up inviting him back to her hotel room.
“When we took the trip to the Bahamas, I met someone and we shared similar things that have happened in our past,” Chandi explained. “I was just like crumbling down and I was like, ‘Dang, I feel like I have no one here to talk to and so it’s nice to have someone to confide in.'”
According to Chandi, the hotel room visit wasn’t sexual. However, it “helped” her in the moment because she needed support from someone outside of the DCC organization. Meanwhile, some of the other ladies felt outraged about the move. The team has a strict policy against disclosing details about their lodging, let alone bringing back a stranger.
“I get it, it was probably the wrong place and time to do that. But selfishly, I had to do it for me because I feel like I was just losing it,” Chandi confessed.
With that in mind, Chandi chose to take a step back from DCC. She felt a lot of “pressure” from the organization and needed time to focus on her mental health. That cleared the way for KayDianna MacKenzie to step into the leadership role.
Chandi returned to the team for the end of the season but ultimately decided to move on from the squad. Her time away from the group made her realize that she felt happier without it. Eventually, all good things have to come to an end.
“I think this year I found who I really am,” Chandi said. “I lost it for sure, was lost in who I really was. There was a long time where I was scared to just not be without dance because that was just me, and that was my safe space. But I feel good.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is streaming on Netflix.
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