Melissa Katherine Rycroft-Strickland (born March 11, 1983)[1] is an American television personality, host, and dancer.

[1] She studied dance from an early age and served as first lieutenant of her high school drill team.

[2][3] After graduating from the University of North Texas, Rycroft auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

She also appears on the judging panel for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions and is also a showmanship mentor to the training camp candidates .

[5] Rycroft first competed on season eight of Dancing with the Stars where she was partnered with Tony Dovolani[6] and finished in third place.

[citation needed] She later returned in season 27 as a trio partner to Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke.