By Julie McLaughlin
A local teen is to star in a new Disney movie.
Disney announced this week that Sophie Lennon, of Mayobridge, has been cast in one of the main roles in the new Cheetah Girls movie, The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen.
This will be the fourth film in the popular Cheetah Girls franchise, based on The Cheetah Girls books.
The original Cheetah Girls films spawned a variety of live events and merchandise, including concert tours, CDs, fashion dolls, jewellery, clothing and school supplies.
The new film begins production in South Africa this month, although no release date has yet been announced.
According to Disney: “The story picks up when Cheetah Girls Galleria (Raven-Symoné) and Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), alongside Galleria’s daughter Faith (Leah Sava’ Jeffries) and her three friends, travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way, these four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice, and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.”
Sixteen-year-old Sophie and her co-stars are already being featured on Disney+ social media channels in relation to the upcoming film, as well as on American television shows such as Entertainment Tonight.
Sophie posted to her Instagram page this week to share the news with her 136,000 followers, describing being part of the film as “a lifelong dream”.
“If you had told me a year ago I was gonna be a Cheetah Girl, I wouldn’t have believed it. I grew up watching these movies and this is just crazy!”
She added: “Disney has always been my biggest dream, but always felt impossible as I come from a super small town in Ireland, but this opportunity has made me realise that everything is possible and always chase your dreams.”
Sophie has been gaining recognition for her singing talents in recent years. She is a former BBC Northern Ireland School Soloist of the Year and has performed at the Wake the Giant festival, the Warrenpoint Christmas Lights Switch-on and the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson’s Charity Ball.
She represented Ireland at Junior Eurovision in 2022 and appeared on America’s Got Talent in summer 2024. She has also performed on the West End stage in London, taken part in Britain’s Got Talent, released her own music, appeared on The Late Late Toy Show, and featured in an episode of the ITV children’s programme Ted’s Top Ten.
The film is being produced by Disney Kids & Family.
“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music and empowering young people to use their voice,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family.
“That spirit connected deeply with a generation of fans, and it still resonates today. Bringing this dynamic new group of young stars to the franchise allows us to continue that legacy for a new era of kids and families.”
