Taking a week off here very soon, and want to give you an update on the status of a pair of TCU Showgirls who are finalists for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.
Kelsey Lauren said both she and Jordan remain in the running.
Here is a recent chat I had with Lauren.
Name: Kelsey Lauren
Age: 23
From: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Lives: Fort Worth
Alma mater: TCU, degree in PR/advertising
Profession: Marketing for a law firm in Fort Worth
Favorite movie:Heavyweights, with Ben Stiller. Oceans 11
Favorite song: Anything by Taylor Swift
Favorite place visited:Istanbul, Turkey
Where do you want to go next?: The Taj Mahal in India
No. 1 on your bucket list:Travel to every country.
Favorite book: I just finished The Hunger Games series and really enjoyed it.
Favorite place to eat in Fort Worth: Tim Love's Loveshack
The Big Mac Blog: How old were you when you started dancing and performing?
Kelsey Lauren: Pretty much my whole life. I grew up doing this. I danced in high school, and one of the reasons I went to TCU was to do Showgirls.
The Big Mac Blog: Most embarrassing moment performing?
Kelsey Lauren: One time during a routine my top came undone. I felt it coming loose and I had to re-tie it during the routine. It was really embarrassing.
The Big Mac Blog: Was it during a TCU football or basketball game?
Kelsey Lauren: A basketball game.
The Big Mac Blog: So nobody saw it?
Kelsey Lauren: This is true
The Big Mac Blog: Ever been injured during a routine?
Kelsey Lauren: Twisted my ankle a few times. Sorry I'm so boring.
The Big Mac Blog: How did you go about pursuing the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders?
Kelsey Lauren: After graduating from college I found out that I really missed it in the year off. I missed the adrenaline from performing. I missed dance so I sought this. This is the next step.
The Big Mac Blog: What is this process like?
Kelsey Lauren: It starts with prelims with about 500 or 600 girls. Then it's down to 80 for the finals. Then you compete agianst the other veterans, and you do a solo routine and do the kick line with the rest of the squad. Then they cut it down to 50. Now there are 42 of us left. They don't say what the final number is going to be. We could be cut between now and any time before the first game. You find out of the day of the squad photo if you've made it.
The Big Mac Blog: You feel more pressure doing this than any other previous performances?
Kelsey Lauren: Yes. You know every move is covered by the media, or a camera. Every move is broadcast so it makes it a lot more nerve wracking. It has been really tough emotionally and physically, but it is a lot of fun.
The Big Mac Blog: Have you thought about the possibility of making it this far and maybe not making the final cut?
Kelsey Lauren: Yes, and I do think if I don't make it it will be really hard. That just means this chapter in my life needs to close and I'll need to continue down my career path. If I make it, that means I completed this dream I do have.
Since I came to Texas all I heard about was the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. I went to my first Cowboys game when I was a freshman and I said, 'I want to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader'.
@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
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Why are you running the story about the fat girl again?? I hate her.
Posted by: Holly | 07/14/2012 at 03:54 PM
To the previous post made by Holly
This girl is not fat! She looks amazing! Her face is a little messed up but she is not fat!
Please get a life
Posted by: Ginger | 07/14/2012 at 04:00 PM
Why must we focus, and comment, on the physical?!?!? This girl appears to be a young, vibrant, healthy, intelligent young woman. Let's celebrate her sucess, drive, intellect, accomplishment and keep our discussion postive and complimentary.
Posted by: TCU mom | 07/15/2012 at 10:01 AM
What in the world are you two jealous betty's talking about? Messed up face!? Fat!? She's a freaking smoke show! Kelsey don't listen to the haters...
Posted by: Ben | 07/15/2012 at 02:29 PM
Hey Ben... your girl has thick thighs. I'm not saying she isn't cute, but she is not as thin as those pictures suggest. Have ever seen her???? I have. She is 'mall cute'. She needs to lay off the cheese and a little less ice cream wouldn't hurt. But I'm sure she is a sweet girl.
Posted by: Randy L. from Dallas | 07/15/2012 at 11:12 PM
Fat???? Ugly???? Really? You haters need to look in the mirror yourselves back away from the hoho's and ding dongs and get a life!!! You people amaze me with your childish immature elementary nonsense.
Posted by: Darktick | 07/16/2012 at 09:05 AM
This girl is one of the hottest women to ever come through TCU. Someone has a personal beef with Kelsey. Sexy, Sexy, Sexy!!!!
Posted by: Scott | 07/16/2012 at 10:49 AM
These are the same catty women who savaged Kate Upton. Jealous much? Kelsey's a beautiful gal and anybody who thinks differently needs his/her head examined.
Posted by: JWnTX | 07/16/2012 at 02:01 PM
She is totally stuck up. Have you ever met her. And she is going to BLOW UP! Just you watch and see! Look at the fat on her legs behind her bottom! Say "CHEEESE!"
Posted by: Kelly @ TCU | 07/16/2012 at 08:06 PM
She isn't fat. You people are crazy. But she does have nasty skin. She LOVES the sun. The girl is going to look like a lizard sooooon.
Posted by: Ron S. | 07/17/2012 at 12:23 PM
I like a thicker gal. I think she is cute
Posted by: Andrew B from Tuscaloosa | 07/18/2012 at 07:34 AM
The haters need to take it easy. Kelsey is active, fun, and sweet. Bigger is beautiful. And Kelsey is NOT big. A little heavy here and there, but not crazy big. I hope she makes the squad! I think her figure and free spirit represent regular sized women every where!
Posted by: Kathy from Fort Worth | 07/18/2012 at 11:42 AM
"She is hot and talented as Miss Pawnee 2012, Trish"
-Tom Haverford
Posted by: Parks and Rec | 07/18/2012 at 03:54 PM
I like my girls a little thick. I think it looks good. I think her skin is orange from staying out in the sun too long, but I like a thicker, fuller figured girl. I'd take her home to mom. I wouldn't want to pay for her dinner, but I'd take her home to meet the folks.
Posted by: Ray S. | 07/18/2012 at 10:33 PM
This girl is not fat. I've seen her in person and she is not a big girl at all. Her face is weird and her skin is orange but she is not a fatty.
Posted by: Sarah @ TCU | 07/20/2012 at 07:46 AM
Good luck and don't be a trader skank like Kelsi!
GOOD LUCK!
Posted by: Blue Truth | 07/20/2012 at 03:37 PM
I know this girl. If you like tons of make-up, hair spray, and cottage cheese, you'll love her.
Posted by: And the cow says moo | 07/20/2012 at 04:00 PM