Disney Brings Back the Cheetahs
Disney officially greenlit "The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen" on Wednesday, July 8, confirming that the beloved franchise is returning with both original stars and a new generation of talent. The film will premiere on Disney Channel and stream simultaneously on Disney+.
Raven-Symone and Adrienne Bailon will reprise their original roles as Galleria and Chanel, while also serving as executive producers on the project alongside original producer Debra Martin Chase.
New Cast Announced
The "Next Gen" cast features Leah Sava Jeffries, Carmen Sanchez, Kaileen Chang, and Sophie Lennon as the new generation of Cheetah Girls. Sabrina Bryan will also make a special appearance reprising her role as Dorinda from the original trilogy.
Raven-Symone confirmed the news on Instagram with a video of herself "strutting" to set, ending with a shot of her in front of an actual cheetah. Her caption read: "It is happening, and it is CHEETAHLICIOUS!"
23 Years After the Original
The original "Cheetah Girls" premiered on Disney Channel in 2003 and became a cultural phenomenon, spawning two sequels, a concert tour, and millions in merchandise sales. The films followed four friends in New York City pursuing their dreams of becoming a successful music group.
The franchise helped launch the careers of Raven-Symone, Adrienne Bailon, and Kiely Williams, making them household names for an entire generation of Disney Channel viewers.
What We Know About the Plot
Details about the storyline remain limited, but the "Next Gen" title suggests the new cast will play a younger group of aspiring performers who are mentored or inspired by the original Cheetah Girls characters. Raven-Symone serving as both star and executive producer indicates she will have significant creative control over how the legacy is carried forward.
The Bottom Line
Disney is betting that nostalgia combined with fresh talent can recreate the magic that made the original Cheetah Girls a phenomenon. With Raven-Symone and Adrienne Bailon attached and Leah Sava Jeffries leading the new cast, they might be right.
