Disney+ and Disney Channel have officially greenlit The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, bringing the beloved Disney Channel franchise back for a new generation. The music-driven film will see Raven-Symoné return as Galleria, with Adrienne Bailon-Houghton reprising her role as Chanel. Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter are also set to return as Dorothea and Juanita, while Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda.
Production is due to begin in South Africa this month, with the film introducing a new group of young Cheetahs. Leah Sava’ Jeffries, best known for Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will play Galleria’s daughter Faith, while Carmen Sanchez stars as Chanel’s sister Dior. Kaileen Chang will play Ruby, Sophie Lennon will play Brooklyn, and newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala, a South African actor discovered through Disney’s global open casting call, will play Kendi. Sophia Bush will also appear in a supporting role as Jennifré.
The story follows Galleria and Chanel as they travel to Africa with Faith and her friends to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way, the four teens test their friendship, find their voice and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they try to save the preserve before taking the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.
Debra Martin Chase, who executive produced the first three Cheetah Girls films, returns for the new instalment alongside Raven-Symoné, who will also executive produce. Bille Woodruff directs and co-produces, with Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher writing the film. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton serves as co-producer, with choreography by Kyle Hanagami.
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,” adding that the new film will continue that legacy for a new era of kids and families. Good to hear, because that is exactly what a Cheetah Girls revival needs.
The original Cheetah Girls movie premiered in 2003 and became one of Disney Channel’s defining early-2000s hits, followed by The Cheetah Girls 2 in 2006 and The Cheetah Girls: One World in 2008. Based on the book series by Deborah Gregory, the franchise became a major part of Disney Channel culture, mixing music, fashion, friendship and serious girl-group dreams.
The greenlight also comes during a big year for Disney Channel fans, with 2026 marking major anniversaries for High School Musical and Hannah Montana, alongside new franchise instalments including Camp Rock 3 and Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. Our inner Disney Channel kid is thriving.
For CultureCues, we loved The Cheetah Girls then, and we are very ready to see what Next Gen does with it now. For so many 2000s kids, The Cheetah Girls meant songs, tracksuits, friendship bracelets and the belief that a girl group could genuinely change your life. Having Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton back as Galleria and Chanel gives Next Gen the legacy link it needs, while the new cast gives it space to become something fresh. Suddenly, we are back in front of the TV after school… Cheetah-licious!
A release date for The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen has not yet been announced.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.