The Cheetah Girls (film)

The Cheetah Girls is a 2003 American musical television film based on the book series of the same name by Deborah Gregory.

The Cheetah Girls
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Based onThe Cheetah Girls
by Deborah Gregory
Written byAlison Taylor
Directed byOz Scott
StarringRaven-Symoné
Adrienne Bailon
Kiely Williams
Sabrina Bryan
Music byJohn Van Tongeren
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
Production
Producer(s)Whitney Houston
Debra Martin Chase
Jacqueline George
CinematographyDerick V. Underschultz
Editor(s)Terry Stokes
Debra Light
Running time93 minutes
Production company(s)Brownhouse Productions
Martin Chase Productions
DistributorBuena Vista Television
Release
Original networkDisney Channel
Original release
  • August 15, 2003 (2003-08-15)
Chronology
Followed byThe Cheetah Girls 2

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 center.

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 behavior. Meanwhile, Dorinda has the opportunity to take a dance audition at the center 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 Girl, 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
  • Raven-Symoné – Galleria Garibaldi, also known as Bubbles
  • Adrienne Bailon – Chanel Simmons, also known as Chuchie
  • Kiely Williams – Aquanette Walker, also known as Aqua
  • Sabrina Bryan – Dorinda Thomas, also known as Do
  • Lynn Whitfield – Dorothea Garibaldi, Galleria's mother
  • Juan Chioran – Francobollo Garibaldi, Galleria's father
  • Lori Anne Alter – Juanita Simmons, Chanel's mother
  • Vince Corazza – Jackal Johnson, a record producer and the film's antagonist
  • Kyle Schmid – Derek, Galleria's love interest
  • Kyle Saunders – Pucci Simmons (Chanel's little brother)
  • Ennis Esmer – Rick (Comedian)
  • Johnie Chase – Doorman
  • Kim Roberts – Mrs. Bosco (Dorinda's foster mom)
  • Sandra Caldwell – Drinka Champane

Production

During casting auditions for the film, the singer Solange Knowles was originally cast to play the role of Aqua. However, her father and manager Matthew Knowles pulled her 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.[1]

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.

Soundtrack
Main article: 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.

Awards
  • 2004 – Nominated; Black Reel: Television Best Actress (Raven-Symoné)
  • 2004 – Nominated; Black Reel: Television Best Supporting Actress (Lynn Whitfield)
  • 2004 – Nominated; DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs (Oz Scott)
  • 2004 – Nominated; Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program (Lynn Whitfield)
  • 2012 – Nominated; Vision Award for Best Dramatic Performance (Lynn Whitfield)

Reception

The movie premiered with 6.5 million viewers. The DVD sold 800,000 copies.[2]

Video games

Film sequels

The Cheetah Girls 2

The Cheetah Girls 2 was released August 25, 2006.

The sequel is about a talented teen quartet who take a whirlwind tour of Spain to pursue their dreams of pop superstardom. Its premiere received a total of over 8.1 million viewers."The Party's Just Begun" at a Graduation Party for the Manhattan Magnet's Class of 2006. While having a sleep-over at Galleria's, Chanel tells the girls that her mother, Juanita, is planning a trip to Barcelona, Spain, where they will be visiting Luc, Juanita's boyfriend. Chanel is upset and does not want to see Luc, while the other girls are upset about being separated for the summer. Aqua sees a shooting star, and the girls make a wish together-to go to Spain with Chanel. Right after that, they find an article in a magazine advertising a music competition there and decide to enter. The whole movie is shot in Barcelona, Spain, including the parts that took place in New York City.

The Cheetah Girls: One World

The Cheetah Girls: One World was released August 22, 2008.

With Galleria at college in England, Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan), and Aqua (Kiely Williams) are cast in a lavish musical. But their excitement turns to surprise when they learn that this musical will shoot in New Delhi, India, instead of Hollywood. The whole movie took place in New Delhi, India. The Cheetah Girls travel across the globe and receive an even bigger surprise. The musical's director must choose only one Cheetah for the role, and the girls are forced to make a decision: whether to stick together or have one do it alone. This movie was shot in Udaipur, India. This movie premiered with 6.2 million viewers.

References
  1. Ellenbogen, Rachael (September 27, 2018). "'The Cheetah Girls' Almost Starred Solange Knowles As This Main Character". International Business Times. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  2. R. Thomas Umstead (August 20, 2006). 'Cheetah Girls 2’ Aims to Be Next 'Musical’. Multichannel.com. Accessed 2009-05-14.
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