Emo centerpiece My Chemical Romance have been touring The Black Parade for the past 15 months. The anniversary show centers around a fictional dictatorship called DRAAG, allegorically alluding to recognizable places.
On October 22nd, 2026, My Chemical Romance added a staged shootout starring cheerleaders in familiar costumes — and immediately sparked controversy. But not because of the firearm props. Instead, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders served the band with a cease-and-desist, arguing that the dancers' costumes were too similar to the team's branding.
The California Post obtained the legal documents, which described the performance as "degrading." Social media speculation was used as evidence, with screenshots suggesting fans had a difficult time determining whether or not the actual Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were on stage. The dancers joined the band during a few songs, before gunning each other down.
The documents stated:
"Silver Star does not ask Defendants to change their setlist, narrative, politics, choreography, or even their decision to put gun-toting performers on stage. Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it."
However, the petition reveals that the band may not be intimidated by legal threats. Attendees report that frontman Gerard Way said, "Thank you, Dallas," even though the performance was in Los Angeles. It is worth considering that Way often speaks in riddles and rhymes. Therefore, further confirmation is needed to verify this transcription.
Amid confusion, social media users debated whether these specific costumes originate from Spirit Halloween. Still, Pro Silver Star Ltd., the owner of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), remains unamused by the band's antics. The court documents continue, “The universe of alternative costume designs is effectively unlimited.”
The band's official TikTok account livestreamed their performance on October 23, 2026. They were seemingly unafraid of legal threats; the cheerleaders appeared once again among the broken, beaten, and damned.
It is currently unconfirmed whether the lawsuit will impact the rest of their run at this venue.
My Chemical Romance's residency at the Hollywood Bowl will continue through October 31, 2026—a very happy birthday celebration for guitarist Frank Iero.
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