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Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton are proving that “Amigas Cheetahs” are truly friends for life.
Disney completely surprised millennials on Wednesday, July 8, when the network announced a brand-new music-driven film called The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen.
A new cast of talented young actresses, including Leah Sava’ Jeffries, Carmen Sanchez, Kaileen Chang and Sophie Lennon, are expected to star in the upcoming movie.
But wait, there’s more! Symoné — who serves as an executive producer on the project — will reprise her role as Galleria alongside Bailon-Houghton, who is returning as Chanel.
Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter are also set to play Dorothea and Juanita once again, while Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda, Disney confirmed. To top it all off, Sophia Bush will also appear in a supporting role as Jennifré.
“The story picks up when Cheetah Girls Galleria (Symoné, 40) and Chanel (Bailon-Houghton, 42), alongside Galleria’s daughter Faith (Jeffries, 16) and her three friends, travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary,” Disney said in a press release. “Along the way, these four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.”
The Cheetah Girls is one of the most popular Disney Channel Original Movie franchises. When it premiered in 2003, The Cheetah Girls was the No. 1 highest-rated movie on broadcast or cable.
The franchise also launched tours and massive hits, including “Cheetah Sisters,” “The Party’s Just Begun” and “Cinderella.”
“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music and empowering young people to use their voice,” Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis said in a statement. “That spirit connected deeply with a generation of fans, and it still resonates today. Bringing this dynamic new group of young stars to the franchise allows us to continue that legacy for a new era of kids and families.”
More than two decades after the film’s debut, The Cheetah Girls franchise continues to resonate with new and old fans alike because of its themes of friendship, ambition and self-expression.
“This is going to be Cheetahlicious!” Symoné wrote via Instagram on Wednesday after Disney revealed the new cast members. “So proud of you ladies! 1, 2, 3 with the vocals!”
Although a premiere date has yet to be announced, filming is expected to kick off in South Africa later this month.
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