are over, the competition only intensifies, as a strict hierarchy shapes the girls’ interactions with both the public and one another. The rookies are at the bottom of the pecking order, while veterans ascend to leadership positions based on seniority—but they too are required to reaudition every season.

Ariann Denison, 28, has been a Dolphins cheerleader for four years. Now a team captain responsible for one of the four groups that anchor each corner of the field during a game, Denison says she still feels the pressure. “We bear the brunt of being responsible for everything, positive and negative,” she explains. Emily Newton, the Dolphins cheerleading coordinator (and a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader), says it’s necessary to continue to up the ante for the veterans. “They have to be continuously

improving. If they’re going to return, they have to be able to give something to the rookies,” she explains.

For the rookies, that veteran support is vital to handling the job. “The hardest part is training camp, right when you come in, and you do need that big sister to tell you that you’re going to push through,” says Julian. Privately, some of the team members confess to more serious pressures. “We get randomly weighed,” says one rookie who asked not to be named, “and some of the girls have been given ultimatums to lose a certain number of pounds in one or two weeks.” She also levies accusations of favoritism against the team’s management, pointing out that the same handful of girls are selected for the majority of the photo shoots (including this one) and special appearances, even though those opportunities are often sources

of extra income, as well as all-important launching pads for modeling, dancing, and acting careers.

The anonymous rookie isn’t the only one on the squad who feels that way—but most cheerleaders are glass-half-full types by nature. Robbins, a lifelong Dolphins fan, says it’s all worth it come game day. “It’s amazing,” she says. “We have the best seats in the house.”

MAKEUP ALEXIS RODRIGUEZ AND NAOMI J. ROBLES DUPREY HAIR TODD JAMESON, A. SONIA CLEGG, CAROLYN DUFF Y FOR NUE STUDIO PRODUCTION ERIKA MERCADO POST-PRODUCTION DIPPIN’ SAUCE SPECIAL THANKS BEN PUNDOLE, COLLEEN GRAHAM, EMILY NEWTON, JARED DOMOW, K&M CAMERA, THE C-LAB