The Cheetah Girls

**The Cheetah Girls** is a Disney Channel Original Movie that was released on August 15, 2003. The film was based on the book of the same name written by Deborah Gregory. It is the first instalment in The Cheetah Girls Franchise.

## Plot

Four teen girls in Manhattan: Galleria, Chanel, Aqua, and Dorinda perform at a children's birthday party as The Cheetah Girls. After the performance, Chanel rushes home to tell her mother about the show, but her mother is preoccupied preparing for a date with her new Parisian boyfriend to pay attention. Galleria comes home to her parents, who chastise her for not taking phone messages for her mother or walking their Bichon Frise dog, Toto. Meanwhile, Dorinda attends to her job, doing janitorial work at a community centre.

The girls hope to become the first freshmen to win the talent show in their school's history. After a successful audition for the talent show, a famous alumnus of the school, Jackal Johnson, expresses interest in signing The Cheetah Girls to his record label. Galleria introduces herself as the founder and songwriter of The Cheetah Girls, which is not appreciated by the group's other members. While Galleria's mother, Dorothea, is initially hesitant to let The Cheetah Girls pursue the opportunity with Jackal, she eventually allows the girls to have a meeting after being encouraged by Galleria's father.

The meeting is a success, and despite some ongoing concerns from Galleria, the girls begin to prepare to record their first song. Without asking the group's other members for opinions, Galleria suggests that The Cheetah Girls should not make time for the talent show due to their record deal and criticizes Dorinda for repeatedly wearing the same dull clothing. Aqua encourages Chanel, Galleria's oldest friend, to speak to Galleria about her behaviour. Meanwhile, Dorinda could take a dance audition at the centre where she is employed. She is offered a paying role because of her work but taking on the role would require her to leave the Cheetah Girls.

Later, Chanel becomes distressed after overhearing a voicemail suggesting that her mother was planning to sell their New York City apartment to move to Paris with her boyfriend. Feeling neglected, Chanel takes advantage of having her mother's credit card to go on a shopping spree on Madison Avenue. In an act of kindness, Chanel purchases a cheetah jacket for Dorinda who reveals her financial troubles: She is a poor foster child who lives in a 10-child household with a mother whose husband is a superintendent for the building. Chanel assures Dorinda that they will remain friends and she will always be a Cheetah Girl.

At the next meeting between The Cheetah Girls and Jackal Johnson, Jackal reveals that a marketing team has developed a new image for the group that will require them to wear masks and lip sync. Galleria is devastated by this and declares that the group refuse the offer, but the other girls stay behind due to their frustrations with Galleria's attitude. Galleria leaves under the impression that the other Cheetah Girls have taken the deal. Chanel arrives home where her mother reveals her credit card was declined due to Chanel's shopping spree. Chanel breaks down after thinking about how grateful she is for her mother given Dorinda's current status as a foster child, and Chanel's mother agrees to make more time for her daughter.

Later, Galleria's dog Toto falls into an obstruction on the Manhattan streets. This attracts a great deal of attention, including a live news story, which alerts all four Cheetah Girls members about what is going on and causes them to come to Toto's rescue. Their singing helps calm Toto down and allow for his safe removal from the obstruction. This act of bonding ultimately causes the girls to repair their friendship, and they go on to sing a new song on the news for all of New York to see. Jackal Johnson calls, voicing his regret trying to change The Cheetah Girls, but the girls refuse an offer with him. The Cheetah Girls end up winning the talent show, and the girls renew their commitment to achieving their dreams and maintaining their friendship.

## Cast and Characters

* Raven-Symoné as Galleria "Bubbles" Garibaldi
* Adrienne Bailon as Chanel "Chuchie" Simmons
* Kiely Williams as Aquanette "Aqua" Walker
* Sabrina Bryan as Dorinda "Do" Thomas
* Lynn Whitfield as Dorothea Garibaldi
* Juan Chioran as Francobollo Garibaldi
* Lori Alter as Juanita Simmons
* Vince Corazza as Jackal Johnson
* Kyle Schmid as Derek
* Kyle Saunders as Pucci Simmons
* Ennis Esmer as Rick
* Johnie Chase as Doorman
* Kim Roberts as Mrs. Bosco
* Sandra Caldwell as Drinka Champane
* Caitlyn Williamson as Danielle Thomas

## Music

See Also: The Cheetah Girls (Soundtrack)

An original motion picture soundtrack containing songs from and inspired by the film was released on August 12, 2003, by Walt Disney Records and Columbia Records. The soundtrack went to #33 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Double Platinum.

## Sequels

* The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006)
* The Cheetah Girls: One World (2008)

## Production

During casting auditions for the film, executives at Disney dropped the character Anginette Walker from the books, because couldn't find the right twin girls to play both her and Aqua. According to author Deborah Gregory, Tia and Tamera Mowry's names were brought up in the meeting, but were considered to be "too sophisticated" for the roles. The singer Solange Knowles was originally cast to play the role of Aqua. However, she pulled out of the film's production due to the promotion and release of her debut album Solo Star. The role was then given to Kiely Williams, who was in the girl group 3LW with Adrienne Bailon at the time. Jurnee Smollett also auditioned for the film at one point.

The film was directed by Oz Scott and produced by Whitney Houston, Debra Martin Chase and Co Producer Cheryl Hill. The script was written by Alison Taylor and the music was composed by John Van Tongeren and Mark Mothersbaugh. It was shot during October and November 2002 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Manhattan, New York City, New York.

## Reception

The movie premiered with 6.5 million viewers. The DVD sold 800,000 copies.

## Awards and Nominations

 Television Best Supporting Actress
 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Program
 Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program
 2012