2003: Nippy News Release Articles

A Chettah Is Spotted
submitted by: Lisa D.
source: Electronic Urban Report
Date: August 15, 2003

Raven (Symone) talks about 'The Cheetah Girls' and 3LW

By Ricardo Hazell

For almost a year we've been hearing good things about the Disney original movie "The Cheetah Girls," starring Raven, Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams, two-thirds of the R&B/pop trio 3LW, and Sabrina Bryan.

It is the first movie that will feature 3LW in co-starring, character roles, but the lead character is played by Raven herself. Though it is a Disney film, "Cheetah Girls" will see the one-time Cosby kid display a, dare-we-say-it, b-tchy side! We know it sounds like a stretch for Raven, but as diva-tude having Galleria she takes it there and beyond.

"I am full fledge diva. If anyone wants to be a diva, Galleria hooks it up. But I realize at the end that that's not necessary because my friends were there to begin with."

Based on the popular book series for teens, "The Cheetah Girls" will feature a multi-ethnic cast that blends together quite well. Also starring the beautiful Lynn Whitfield, the film displays racial differences in a way that supports the overall story instead of distracting the viewer from it.

"I have an italian father and my mother is Lynn Whitfield. It's all about the cultures in our 'jiggy jungle,' which is an expression we use in the movie. One of my best friends, which is Sabrina Bryan, is Caucasian. Kiely Williams is black and then there's Adrienne Bailon, who is Latino. We just put it all together because we live in that kind of world. We have so many different colors and we're trying to portray that," said Raven of the her castmembers. "We're so into that because we all have multiracial friends as well. It wasn't anything like 'Ohmigoodness I don't think I can work with her.' It was totally the opposite."

Two-thirds of 3LW make their way to the Disney circuit in this film. Raven says her relationship with Adrienne and Kiely has gradually evolved from mere familiarity to friendship.

"I have their albums and I've met them before, but we weren't as close as we are now. I'm really close with Adrienne. Actually, she plays one of the bullies now on my show ("That's So Raven"). I thought, 'ohmigoodness, it would be perfect to bring one of the people from the movie to the show.' She's my nemesis. She's really famous and can play diva."

Though placing established recording artists in a picture is bound to draw viewers, the overall quality of some projects is affected by the musicians' lack of on camera experience, but Raven told us Adrienne and Kiely are no Mariah Careys on camera.

"They stepped up to the table. They hooked it up. Adrienne got to cry. It was so believable. People are really going to be surprised."

After seeing the movie, we would certainly agree with Raven. We were pleasantly surprised with Adriene and Kiely's acting chops.

"The Cheetah Girls" premieres tonight, August 15 at 8pm Eastern / Pacific & 7pm Central on the Disney Channel.

Raven, who stars on the number one rated Disney Channel sitcom, "That's So Raven," has just signed a recording contract with Disney, and is reading scripts for future Disney feature length projects, may be getting prepped to replace Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire) as the All-American girl face of the company. (Hilary is still signed to a recording contract with Disney, but her sitcom has been canceled over contract disputes.)

As far as Raven is concerned, the soon to be 18-year-old is up for the task and is certain to shine.