Kelly Villares

About

Dancer and reality television star who first gained recognition for her participation in the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2023. Despite being eliminated from her first attempt to join the coveted squad, she tried again the following year and was announced as one of its 12 rookies in 2024.

Before Fame

Throughout her youth, she competed at a national level with the Studio L Dance Company, winning prestigious honors such as the UDA National Dance Team Championship in 2019, in the jazz category. She went on to cheer for Rutgers University, throughout all four years of her attendance, before graduating in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in nutritional science. 

Trivia

While cheering for Rutgers University, she helped her team earn the All-Big Ten Dance First Team Winner Award in both 2020 and 2021 and was named co-captain for the 2022-23 season. Throughout her collegiate career, she earned esteemed honors including Rookie of the Year in 2020 and Veteran of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.

Family Life

Her parents, Lina Londono and Onel Villares, are strong supporters of her goals and were featured on the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to show their encouragement.

Associated With

In 2023, she performed alongside Blake Shelton at the CMT Awards. She appeared on America's Sweethearts with fellow cheerleaders including Kelcey Wetterberg and Reece Weaver.