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A Mayobridge teenager has been cast in a new Disney+ film, The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen.
Sophie Lennon will play Brooklyn in the music-driven movie, joining a cast that includes returning stars from the original Cheetah Girls franchise alongside a new generation of young actresses. The movie is due to begin production in South Africa this month.
Lennon in her 16 short years has already represented Ireland in the Junior Eurovision, appeared on Britain's Got Talent and America's Got Talent so this latest challenge will unphase her.
She joins a new cast of young actresses including Leah Sava' Jeffries, known for Percy Jackson and the Olympians, as Galleria's daughter Faith, Carmen Sanchez, known for Electric Bloom, as Chanel's sister Dior, and Kaileen Chang as Ruby. Newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala, a local South African actor discovered during Disney's global open casting call, has been cast as Kendi.
The story follows Cheetah Girls Galleria and Chanel, alongside Galleria's daughter Faith and her three friends, as they travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way, the four teenage girls test their friendship, find their voice and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they work to save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.
The film is executive produced by Debra Martin Chase and Raven-Symoné, who returns to her role as Galleria, alongside Adrienne Bailon returning as Chanel. Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter are set to reprise their roles as Dorothea and Juanita, while Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda, and Sophia Bush is set to appear in a supporting role as Jennifré.
Debra Martin Chase, who executive produced the first three Cheetah Girls films, returns for this instalment alongside Raven-Symoné as executive producer. The film is directed and co-produced by Bille Woodruff and written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher. It is produced by Disney Kids & Family and features choreography by Kyle Hanagami, with Adrienne Bailon serving as co-producer. The films are based on The Cheetah Girls book series by Deborah Gregory.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said: "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."
The Cheetah Girls franchise remains one of the most popular Disney Channel Original Movie franchises. When it premiered in 2003, The Cheetah Girls was the number one highest rated movie on broadcast or cable, and The Cheetah Girls 2 was the highest rated movie on broadcast or cable during 2006 with several key young audience groups. The Cheetah Girls: One World was number one all broadcast and cable for the week it premiered with Kids 6 to 11 and Tweens 9 to 14.
More than two decades after the first film's debut, the franchise continues to resonate through music, fashion and themes of friendship, ambition and self-expression, having introduced a generation of viewers to a vision of young women supporting one another while pursuing their dreams. Nostalgia driven discussions and renewed appreciation for the franchise have kept it relevant, cementing its legacy as both a cultural phenomenon and a symbol of empowerment.
The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2 and The Cheetah Girls: One World are now streaming on Disney+ and can be found in the Throwbacks Collection alongside other Disney stories from the 1990s and 2000s.
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