**Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Opens Up About Cleft Lip Journey and Inspiring Others**
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In an inspiring revelation, Jenna Waller, a veteran member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, has shared her personal journey of living with a cleft lip and the challenges she has faced along the way. In an interview with PEOPLE, Waller candidly discussed her experiences with numerous surgeries, the use of prosthetics, and her determination to raise awareness about the condition.
Born with a cleft lip, which results when the upper lip fails to fully close during a child’s development, Waller’s early life was dominated by frequent visits to medical professionals. Over the years, she underwent four corrective and reconstructive surgeries, starting just 11 days after birth. “The first surgery was to repair the lip. A subsequent surgery when I was four years old was needed due to a keloid that formed,” Waller explained.
Her medical interventions continued at ages nine and seventeen, including significant procedures involving bone grafts. Waller noted that her childhood was almost a routine of appointments with doctors and specialists, including dentists and orthodontists. “I was at the doctor’s office probably once a month, if not more. That was just a part of my life,” she remarked.
Despite the extensive medical treatment, Waller’s supportive home environment allowed her to navigate her condition with resilience. Her parents instilled confidence in her, always affirming her beauty and worth. “I was never told anything but the fact that I was beautiful,” she shared, revealing that having a childhood friend with a similar condition provided her with a sense of shared experience during times of recovery.
As Waller matured, she began to grapple with her self-image, battling insecurities hidden beneath the surface. “It was just an internal struggle that I dealt with. I didn’t realise how deep my insecurity ran until later,” she admitted.
Her journey into the spotlight began when she featured in the second season of Netflix’s docuseries, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Although she narrowly missed making the team in 2024, the setback allowed her to focus on her health and confront past challenges, including an eating disorder. Waller successfully earned a coveted place in the Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2025.
In the current season, Waller opened up about her personal relationship with her smile, including the embarrassment she felt due to her missing tooth. “It was so embarrassing to me. At that age, anything different about you is viewed negatively,” she recalled, explaining how she used Photoshop to digitally add a tooth to her appearance in photos.
Over time, Waller resorted to various dental prosthetics to address her missing tooth, including a retainer with a fake tooth and eventually a bridge. “I was so happy to see a full smile for the first time in my life; it was really special,” Waller reflected. Currently, she is using a dental bridge while considering the next step of getting an implant, which comes with its own anxieties.
Waller’s transformation over the past two years has shifted from experiences of heartbreak to empowerment, and she aims to inspire a new generation facing similar challenges. “I’ve received countless messages from individuals who relate to my story. It touches me each time, knowing that my experience resonates with others,” she expressed.
With a commitment to raising awareness about cleft lip, Waller supports Operation Smile, a global nonprofit organisation providing free medical care for those affected by the condition. Having recently secured her place on the Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 2026-2027 season, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their differences. “Love yourself wholeheartedly, no matter what you look like,” she encouraged.
Waller’s story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and self-acceptance, illuminating the importance of sharing experiences to promote understanding and support within communities. As such narratives become more prominent, it is essential to create spaces where individuals can feel seen and valued, fostering a culture of self-love and acceptance.