Dallas Cowboys’ First New Zealander Cheerleader Thought Recruiter’s Message Was a Scam: ‘This Is a Fake Account’

Faith Ward’s dream almost didn’t come true – because at first it all seemed too good to be true.

Ward, the 22-year-old who recently became the first New Zealander to ever make the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad, revealed in an interview this week that she initially thought a recruiter’s message to her on Instagram was a scam.

"I was like, 'This is a fake account, this is a drill, there's no way this is happening,' " Ward told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s morning showABC News Breakfaston Tuesday, July 22. 

Ward, who was born in New Zealand but grew up in Perth, Australia, expressed hesitation in her response to the recruiter’s introductory message, especially given the famed DCC squad had never had a cheerleader from her native country. But the recruiter reassured Ward: “No, we're looking for international candidates.”

The 22-year-old flew to the United States and went through the DCC’s rigorous tryouts, eventually becoming one of six new rookies to join the 36-member squad, out of thousands who auditioned.

"I think those athletes are hands-down some of the most hard-working people I've ever seen," Ward told ABC News Breakfast, describing the tryouts as “cutthroat” and “brutal” at times.

The tryout process has been documented in recent years with the popular Netflix series America’s Sweethearts, which recently released its second season ahead of the 2025-26 NFL season, which kicks off in September.

The series, which provides an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the squad from auditions to game day, has also made headlines for revealing the many the strict rules and guidelines the cheerleaders must follow, and spurred a controversy over their salaries. The show has also led many of the DCC members to create social media platforms which share even more insight into their day-to-day lives.

"It's a hard industry to make it in and everyone wants to do it, so you've just got to push through,” Ward said, noting that as “brutal” as the process is, she understands the coaches are “really just wanting to see the best potential for you.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

Ward told ABC News Breakfast she “couldn’t believe” it when her name was called as one of six new members who made the DCC squad – the first from New Zealand and third-ever from Australia.

"I was waiting for someone to wake me up from my dream," an excited Ward said. “I kept turning to the girls going, there’s no way this is real.”

Read the original article on People