Early life[edit]
Melissa Katherine Rycroft was born on March 11, 1983, in Dallas, Texas.[1] She studied dance from an early age and served as first lieutenant of her high school drill team. She majored in marketing at the University of North Texas[1] after transferring from the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega.[2][3]
Career[edit]
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders[edit]
After graduating from the University of North Texas, Rycroft auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She danced for the team from 2006 to 2008. As a cheerleader, she made regular appearances on Country Music Television's reality show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. She also appears on the judging panel for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions and is also a showmanship mentor to the training camp candidates .[1]
The Bachelor[edit]
Rycroft appeared on the 13th season of The Bachelor as one of the 25 bachelorettes competing for bachelor Jason Mesnick.[4] In the season finale, Mesnick chose Rycroft over runner-up Molly Malaney, and proposed. Shortly after the proposal, Mesnick left Rycroft, explaining he had feelings for Malaney. Mesnick and Malaney married in 2010.[5]
Dancing with the Stars[edit]
Rycroft first competed on season eight of Dancing with the Stars where she was partnered with Tony Dovolani[6] and finished in third place. She and Dovolani once again served as partners in the All-Stars season and were announced as the winners on the season finale. She later served as the host of the 2015 Dancing with the Stars live tour. She later returned in season 27 as a trio partner to Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke.
Dancing with the Stars Performances (Season 15)
Personal life[edit]
Rycroft was briefly engaged to Jason Mesnick, whom she met on The Bachelor. Mesnick called the engagement off after he admitted he was in love with runner-up, Molly Malaney. Rycroft then reunited with a former boyfriend, salesman Tye Strickland.[11] The couple married and have three children.[12][13][14]