The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen has been officially greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+, with Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon returning as Galleria and Chanel alongside a new cast of young actors and actresses. Production begins this month in South Africa. Notably, original cast member Kiely Williams is not attached to the film.
Returning alongside Symoné and Bailon are Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter as Dorothea and Juanita, while Sabrina Bryan is set to make a special appearance as Dorinda.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement, “The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music, and empowering young people to use their voice. 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.”
What is ‘The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen’ about?
According to the official description, “the story picks up when Cheetah Girls Galleria (Symoné) and Chanel (Bailon), alongside Galleria’s daughter Faith (Jeffries) and her three friends, travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. 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.”
Who stars in ‘The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen’?
Leah Sava’ Jeffries leads the new cast as Faith, Galleria’s daughter, with Carmen Sanchez as Chanel’s sister Dior, Kaileen Chang as Ruby and Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn. South African newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala, discovered through Disney’s global open casting call, plays Kendi. Sophia Bush also appears in a supporting role as Jennifré.
This marks Symoné’s second return to a Disney Channel character in recent years, following six seasons of Raven’s Home from 2017 to 2023.
Executive producers Debra Martin Chase and Symoné return from the original trilogy. The film is directed by Bille Woodruff and written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher, with choreography by Kyle Hanagami. Bailon co-produces. The film is produced by Disney Kids & Family.
The original The Cheetah Girls debuted on Disney Channel in 2003 and became the No. 1 highest-rated movie on broadcast or cable that year, spawning two sequels in 2006 and 2008 and launching one of the most beloved Disney Channel Original Movie franchises.
A premiere date has not yet been announced. The film begins production in South Africa this month.
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