When most people think of controversy in the NFL, they’re usually picturing on-field drama or player feuds—not a cheerleader’s hairstyle.
But that’s exactly what’s taken the internet by storm thanks to one groundbreaking young woman from Australia.
Faith Ward, originally from New Zealand but raised in Western Australia, recently made headlines not just for her talent, but for her hair.
At just 22, she became the first-ever Kiwi to make it onto the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) squad.
And while fans were celebrating her big achievement, they were equally fixated on something unexpected—her high ponytail.
Celebrating the Milestone… and Stirring Debate
On Sunday, Faith proudly posted a celebratory photo on social media, showing off her official DCC uniform.
With her signature blonde hair pulled tightly into a high ponytail, she smiled for the camera—clearly thrilled.
But it didn’t take long for the comments to start rolling in, and many were laser-focused on her hair.
“Why is your hair in a ponytail and not worn down like the others?” one fan asked.
Others echoed the curiosity:
“Is no one talking about the ponytail moment?!”
“It looks weird that she’s the only one doing it differently.”
“Does anyone know if they made an exception with her hair?”
One person even called the slick style “so Aussie-coded.”
Breaking the Mold in the DCC World
For context, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have a very specific aesthetic.
Part of their training camp includes mandatory makeovers—often involving major changes to hair, makeup, and sometimes even teeth.
All of it is meant to help each rookie blend into the signature DCC “glamorous” look.
In fact, back in 2016, DCC director Kelli Finglass told People that every cheerleader is expected to “wear their hair down—even in rehearsals.”
So Faith’s high ponytail? Definitely not standard practice.
How a Rock Song Sparked a Hair Revolution
Interestingly, the idea to switch up Faith’s hairstyle came out of nowhere during a rehearsal to “Thunderstruck” by Aussie rock icons AC/DC.
Faith had been dancing hard, hair down and drenched in sweat, when Kelli asked her a game-changing question:
“I want to see what your hair would look like tied up.”
Faith obliged—and it worked. Not only did it keep her cooler during rehearsals, but it made her stand out.
When it came time for uniform fittings, she nervously kept the ponytail, hoping it wouldn’t be rejected.
Kelli’s reaction?
“You’re giving Ariana Grande! We need an Ariana Grande moment on the team.”
Faith was floored.
“Are you serious right now, Kelli? This is so exciting!” she remembered saying.
The Ponytail Might Actually Be Here to Stay
According to Faith, this could be a first for the DCC.
Speaking to ABC Perth, she said, “The DCC hairstyle is usually big, voluminous, luscious locks. I’ve broken that stereotype.”
However, she hasn’t addressed the online chatter directly yet.
Why? Because she’s still waiting for the final green light from Kelli.
“Right now, it’s looking very hopeful that I will be a DCC with a ponytail,” she told the outlet.
That would make her the first ever cheerleader in DCC history to wear an updo officially.
From Cruise Ships to Cowboy Stadiums
Faith’s journey to the spotlight hasn’t been easy.
She began dancing professionally at 18, performing on cruise ships, which taught her discipline but was a very different world from the NFL stage.
Now, she’s gearing up to dance in front of massive crowds of 90,000-plus fans at Cowboys games—and she couldn’t be more thrilled.
Faith’s Big Moment on Netflix
If Faith’s face looks familiar, it might be because she stars in the second season of Netflix’s hit docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.”
The show returned on June 20 and has been wildly popular, giving fans a deeper look into what it takes to make the team.
Faith is one of just six new rookies selected to join the 36-member squad for the upcoming NFL season.
Her Words Say It Best
In her Instagram caption, Faith called the moment she made the team “the best day of my life.”
She shared how mentally and physically demanding the journey has been—but also how rewarding.
“I’ve been pushed in ways I never imagined.
I’ve learned and grown so much already,” she wrote.
And ponytail or not, it’s clear that Faith Ward isn’t just making DCC history—she’s redefining what it looks like to belong on that iconic squad.