Lessons I Learned From ‘The Cheetah Girls’
It’s been almost twenty years since the movie Cheetah Girls first aired on Disney Channel. This movie franchise was not just another Disney series about how a young female protagonist overcomes her obstacles, keeps her friends, and finds love.
No, Cheetah Girls was the complete opposite of this common trope. Instead of a movie about chasing love, it was a movie about chasing dreams.
The movie stars Raven-Symoné as Galleria, Adrienne Bailon as Chanel, Sabrina Bryan as Dorinda, and Kiely Williams as Aqua. Cheetah Girls is about how four young women from different backgrounds come together to follow their dreams.
Looking back, I realized I learned lessons about independence, strength and friendship from my favorite childhood movie.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Lesson 1: It’s Okay to Rescue Yourself
Whenever I think of Cheetah Girls, I think of Cinderella, the first song from the movie. Since this is a Disney movie, it was quite surprising that this song emphasized how young girls do not need a fairytale ending to make them happy. Disney is the haven to find all things fairy tale related.
But, this song was about female empowerment.
The chorus is:
I don’t wanna be like Cinderella
Sitting in a dark, cold, dusty cellar
Waiting for somebody to come and set me free
I don’t wanna be like Snow White waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
On a horse of white, unless we’re riding side by side
I’d rather rescue myself
These lyrics were the complete opposite of what a Disney princess movie entails. The Disney trope: a young woman waits for her prince to save her. The Cheetah Girls version: a young girl saves herself and does not need to wait on anyone else, especially a boy.
My favorite lyrics from this song are:
I can slay my own dragons
I can dream my own dreams (Dream, my own dreams)
My knight in shining armor is me.
Slaying dragons is typically for knights who are usually seen as men, but a young girl defeating her monsters on her own is a boss move. Young girls are capable of being the heroine of their own story, not the survivor.
Lesson 2: Find Your Inner Strength
When I think of finding your inner strength, it has to be “Girl Power,” the first clapback I ever saw. After their producer, Jackal Johnson (played by Vince Corazza) underestimated their potential, the Cheetah Girls performed this song. Even though the song is literally called, “Girl Power,” it’s important to note that the lyrics highlight how young girls can pick themselves up and be who they are.
The bridge is my favorite part of the song:
Sometimes, life may get you down
But you better hold your ground
Can't nobody live your life but you
Stay true to who you are
And always follow your heart
Your heart, your heart
The instructions of how to overcome your obstacles and be true to yourself is following your heart. Like the Cheetah Girls did when they left the producer who was holding them back. Know when to trust yourself and rely on your inner strength.
Lesson 3: The Power of Friendship
The Cheetah Girls also taught me about the power of friendship. The final song in the movie is “Cheetah Sisters.” When Galleria’s dog, Toto, fell into the pothole, her friends were by her side. She was not alone, and with the support of her cheetah girls, Toto survived the fall.
The chorus is:
Cause we are sisters we stand together
We make up one big family
Though we don’t look the same
Our spots are different, different colors
We make each other stronger
That ain’t never gonna change
We’re cheetah girls, Cheetah sisters
Friends do not have to be alike. As long as they support and take care of each other, that is all that matters. Friendships are what help make us stronger. They build up our self-esteem and help us grow into a better version of ourselves.
So, as the Cheetah Girls always said, be Cheetahlicious!
Want more Cheetah Girls? SHOWGAYS: A Movie Musical Podcast recently watched and reviewed the girl power cinematic masterpiece, here’s the podcast!
