Some announcements hit differently than others.
We cover a lot of Disney news in this space. New snacks, park updates, character meet-and-greets, and seasonal collections. And we love all of it. But every once in a while, something comes across the desk that makes us stop, reread it twice, and just sit with it for a minute. This week, that something was the official greenlight of The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen from Disney Channel and Disney+.
If you grew up watching the original trilogy, you already know why this one feels like a big deal. The Cheetah Girls was never just a movie. It was a whole feeling. Friendship and music, and the belief that your voice matters and that the right group of people around you can make anything possible. That is the kind of story that stays with you, and the fact that Disney is bringing it back with such care and intention says a lot about how seriously they take the legacy.
What We Know About the Cheetah Girls Film
Production is already underway in South Africa, which is where the story is set. The film follows Galleria and Chanel as they travel to a wildlife sanctuary to volunteer, bringing along Galleria's teenage daughter Faith and her three closest friends. Over the course of the story, the four girls will find their voices, test their friendships, and discover what Cheetah Power looks like for a new generation.
Raven-Symoné is back as Galleria, and Adrienne Bailon is returning as Chanel. Both are also working behind the scenes, with Raven-Symoné serving as an executive producer alongside original franchise producer Debra Martin Chase, and Bailon stepping in as a co-producer. Knowing that the women who built this franchise have a real creative voice in how it comes back means a great deal.
Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter are reprising their roles as the beloved moms Dorothea and Juanita. Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda. Sophia Bush joins the cast in a supporting role as a character named Jennifré.
The New Squad
The next generation of Cheetah Girls is led by Leah Sava' Jeffries, known to many from Percy Jackson and the Olympians, who plays Galleria's daughter Faith. Carmen Sanchez from Electric Bloom plays Chanel's sister Dior. Kaileen Chang plays Ruby, Sophie Lennon plays Brooklyn, and Kamogelo Ramashala plays Kendi, a South African actor who joined the cast after being discovered through Disney's global open casting call.
That open casting call detail is one of our favorite things about this whole announcement. For a film set in South Africa, discovering local talent through a global search rather than defaulting to familiar Hollywood faces shows a level of thoughtfulness that the Disney community genuinely appreciates.
The film is directed by Bille Woodruff, written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson, and Deborah Swisher, and features choreography from Kyle Hanagami.
A Moment Worth Celebrating for The Cheetah Girls
This greenlight is landing during a genuinely special year for Disney Channel fans. High School Musical and Hannah Montana are both celebrating major anniversaries in 2026. Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3 are both headed our way this summer. The Worlds Collide Tour is returning this fall. There is a lot of nostalgia in the air right now, and The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen fits right into that energy in the best possible way.
No release date has been confirmed yet. But all three original Cheetah Girls films are streaming right now on Disney+ inside the Throwbacks collection, which feels like the universe giving us a very clear suggestion for how to spend our evening.
We will be watching closely as more details come out of production. This is one we are rooting for with our whole hearts.
