Hold onto your matching velour tracksuits and grab your besties, because our childhood dreams just officially came true. Disney has officially greenlit an all-new music-driven movie, The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, and it is coming straight to Disney Channel and Disney+!
For those of us who grew up screaming the lyrics to “Cinderella” and perfecting the choreography to “Strut” in our living rooms, this isn’t just news but it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Grab the younger generation in your family (nieces, cousins, or your own kids!), because it’s time to teach them exactly what Growl Power means.
If you were worried a reboot would leave behind the icons who started it all, take a deep breath. The legendary Raven-Symoné (Galleria) and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (Chanel) are officially back! Not only are they executive producing and co-producing the film alongside original DCOM mastermind Debra Martin Chase, but they are reprising their iconic roles.
The nostalgia doesn’t stop there. More OG cast members are returning to the Cheetah-verse with an addition of a familiar face in an exciting new role.
According to Disney Branded Television, Sabrina Bryan is set to be making a special appearance as our favorite dancer, Dorinda while Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter will be back as the ultimate chic moms, Dorothea and Juanita. Additionally, Sophia Bush is even joining the fun in a supporting role as a new character named Jennifré!
“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music, and empowering young people to use their voice,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family 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.”
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Production kicks off in South Africa this month, and the storyline sounds like the ultimate summer adventure.
The movie picks up with Galleria and Chanel traveling to Africa alongside Galleria’s daughter, Faith, and her three best friends to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Naturally, in true Cheetah fashion, these four teen girls will have their friendship tested, find their unique voices, save the preserve, and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.
Disney went on a global search to find the perfect squad to carry the legacy, and this lineup is stacked with major talent. Leah Sava’ Jeffries (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) stars as Galleria’s daughter, Faith and Carmen Sanchez (Electric Bloom) plays Chanel’s sister, Dior, while Kaileen Chang joins the squad as Ruby and Sophie Lennon stars as Brooklyn. Kamogelo Ramashala, a local South African actor discovered during Disney’s global open casting call, rounds out the main cast as Kendi.
With Bridgerton’s Bille Woodruff directing and the viral mastermind Kyle Hanagami handling the choreography, you already know the musical numbers are going to be absolutely elite.
The Cheetah Girls franchise (originally based on the books by Deborah Gregory) was the blueprint for early-2000s girl power, incredible fashion, and unmatched representation. When the first movie dropped in 2003, it changed Disney Channel history, and The Cheetah Girls 2 completely dominated the ratings in 2006.
The news comes at the perfect time. 2026 is officially the year of peak Disney nostalgia, with milestone anniversaries for High School Musical and Hannah Montana, plus the upcoming releases of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3.
While we wait for production to wrap, you can find us streaming the original trilogy on Disney+ via the “Throwbacks” Collection. Dust off your headbands, cheetahs — our time has come again!
