Interview: Melissa Rycroft talks Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders & The Bachelor

Every fan of The Bachelor should know about Melissa Rycroft-Strickland. She won Jason Mesnick’s historic season in 2009…only to be left for Jason’s runner-up and now-wife, Molly Malaney, in one of the most dramatic finales ever.

But the heartbreak propelled Melissa into a new career as she cohosted Bachelor Pad and joined the ranks of Bachelor alumni who’ve competed on Dancing with the Stars. She danced on Season 8 and Season 15, taking home the Mirrorball Trophy on her second try.

The Texas native’s first foray into reality TV was Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, where she earned a coveted spot on the NFL dance squad. Today, Melissa Rycroft lives in Dallas with her husband, Tye, and three kids. She coaches hopeful cheerleaders on DCC: Making the Team as a judge and mentor.

Season 16 of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team just kicked off on September 17. I joined Melissa Rycroft for an exclusive interview about the new season, the impact of reality TV on her life, and, of course, Bachelor Nation.

Exclusive interview with Melissa Rycroft

Claire: Hi Melissa! I watched the premiere of DCC: Making the Team last weekend and it was actually the first time I’d ever seen this show. It was honestly super entertaining! I know you’ve had a long history with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – that was your first time on reality TV, wasn’t it?

Melissa Rycroft: Yes! And it was actually by accident. My first year was in 2006 and there wasn’t a lot of reality TV at the time. I just showed up at Texas Stadium to audition and then we’re having to sign these waivers in line, and I was like, “What are we doing?” We walked in and it was a full-blown production. So it was quite by accident, but man, what a ride. I’ve been a part of this show since Season 1.

What is it that motivates you to stay involved with the team today?

Gosh, because I love it! I was 23 years old when I had my time on the team. I know everything I went through completely changed my life; I mean, look at the career I’ve gotten to have. When I was given the opportunity to come back and actually work with the girls, it was like, “Why wouldn’t I?” These girls are starting just the way I was.

I like getting to be the positive face that they see. Training camp is tough; there’s a lot of negative feedback that they get. Having the opportunity to be a helper is something that keeps me going.

How do you think the DCC have changed since you were a member?

The talent is just extraordinary, and I think you can credit the show for that. It’s not just Dallas girls trying out. Over the last decade, you’ve got people not just from across the country but across the world. I think that that’s been the biggest blessing from the show, is that they’ve been able to get this talent that they didn’t necessarily have access to before. The team just gets better and better every year.

I was watching the show and thinking, “These girls are crazy athletic!” I don’t think I ever realized just how difficult cheerleading is, but it’s pretty amazing.

Yeah, that’s what I like about the show. It shows people that they’re not just pretty girls out on a field. They’re well-rounded, they are educated, they work their little tails off. They’re a really good group.

Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from Season 16?

First, it was very exciting just to get back. Obviously, last year’s training camp was a whole different situation still coming out of the pandemic. We had to make a few changes, but we were able to do it on the field, the girls were able to dance together, and we were able to be in person with them.

Going into training camp this year, I think it was one of the largest groups of girls that they’ve ever had. So there were more cuts to be made in a shorter amount of time, on top of the fact that there was more talent. There were definitely some veteran cheerleaders that were kind of on the cusp, like, are they better than these rookies? Are they earning their spot back, or are they not?

But what I love about DCC is that the show has stayed consistent and the drama is not manufactured. It’s girls trying to make a team, and the anticipation comes with it naturally.

Shifting gears into some questions about The Bachelor, because we are Accept This Rose…I think a lot of what continues to draw people to The Bachelor is just how crazy it seems to get engaged so fast. But the emotions on so many seasons, including yours, seem so real. You can only speak to your own experience, but to what extent do you think that the feelings are caused by the competition and the fancy dates and just being in this bubble?

The Bachelor bubble is created by production and it’s just the perfect formula for getting those emotions out. You’re in a house with no phone, no radio, no TV – there’s no contact with the outside world, and it’s just you and this group. But you’re only together [with the other contestants] for two weeks, then you’re separated. After that, when you’re not on a date, you’re in your hotel room with a production assistant, and all you can do is talk about the show and the girls because you have no idea what’s going on in the real world!

Then it becomes more of a… “Well, I don’t wanna get rejected now; I don’t wanna go home. I’ve been here for so long, and I do really like him; I do really care about him.” It heightens every emotion you could possibly have, and you have no outlet to release it. Until you do on that camera. And then [After the Final Rose] comes out and you look crazy, and people are like, “You went on two dates with him, how could you be heartbroken?”

It is so hard to explain to people who haven’t been in it, but you see it happen every season. It’s a perfect bubble formula.

I’ve heard you were asked to be the Bachelorette after Jason’s season. Was that something you ever considered doing?

No. The Bachelor was my first real reality show – I know I did DCC, but this was different – and at the time I felt duped. I felt like I had been lied to about the filming of “After the Final Rose.” But when I saw it air, I saw that they almost threw Jason under the bus, right?

So they were asking me to be the Bachelorette and saying, “Oh, when you’re the lead we’ll protect you.” And I went, “But I just saw what you did.” I thought I would be stupid to walk back into that situation and trust that they wouldn’t do something like that to get ratings. So it was always a no.

Obviously, I don’t feel like that anymore; that was me being 23 and hurt and brand new to reality TV. But I’m glad I didn’t do it because then I got to do Dancing with the Stars.

Hypothetically, if you had been the Bachelorette, how do you think you would’ve done?

Not well. I am too emotional as a person. First of all, my dating radar was way off back then. I’m sure I would’ve dated the one that everybody at home was like, “No! Stay away from him!”

I don’t know how [the Bachelorettes] do it. I really don’t. I’m kind of a one-track person; I get my mind on someone and that’s who I focus on. I would not have been able to kiss multiple people in a night and make connections like that. I would’ve been horrible.

You did end up co-hosting the first season of Bachelor Pad, so up until very recently, you were the only person besides Chris Harrison who had ever hosted a Bachelor Nation show. Were you ever asked about coming back to be a temporary host?

No. I’ve never really been asked to do anything with The Bachelor.

Would you do it if they had asked you?

I don’t know. I feel like I’ve been out of that franchise for so long now, and to be honest, I think they have better choices. I feel like a lot of people don’t even know who I am in Bachelor Nation because there’s this new audience. They know the JoJos and the Kaitlyns; they don’t know Melissa Rycroft from back when it was in standard-definition television. So, never say never, but I think they have some better options.

Aside from DCC and The Bachelor, you’re known for Dancing with the Stars and you had your own reality show for a little bit. Out of all the TV experiences that you’ve had, which one has made the biggest difference in your life?

Dancing with the Stars. For sure. It was right after the Bachelor experience, which was back before social media, and I remember going, “I don’t know what people think of me. Are they mad at me? Does it look like [the break-up with Jason] is my fault? Am I hated?”

Dancing with the Stars gave me this confidence that I hadn’t had before – that I didn’t have dating, that I didn’t have on The Bachelor. There was just something that came out of me, and I haven’t looked back since. That show came at the right time; it was a low point in my life, and it just bounced me to this new kind of woman.

And you won the All-Star season. Did you ever hesitate to come back after your first season, or were you like, “I’m ready to go try again!”

Oh, I absolutely hesitated! I knew how hard it was, and coming back for All-Stars, I was married with a kid! I was in a completely different phase of life. The first time around, I could practice as much as I wanted; if Tony [Dovolani] wanted to stay ‘til 11 o’clock at night I was like, “Yes!” For All-Stars I was like, “Listen, I got a kid at home, and I can’t give you a hundred percent as I did back then.” But, you know, who was gonna pass that up? I sucked it up and did it, and I’m so glad I did.

This conversation with Melissa Rycroft has been edited for length and clarity.

What are your thoughts on Melissa Rycroft and her time in Bachelor Nation?  Let us know in the comments!

Catch Melissa Rycroft on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team Season 16 at 9 pm EST every Friday on CMT.