Cheetahlicious! Back in 2003, we were introduced to Galleria, Chanel, Aqua, and Dorinda, the hottest new Disney Channel girl group. “The Cheetah Girls” is a smash Disney Movie that focused on four inner-city New York girls as they pursue their dream to be the next big music sensation. They face many tribulations such as foster care, “haters”, and having their voice taken away, but end up on top by proving that they are sisters and they stand together. Here are several reasons why this movie is as important as it is:

1. The songs were amazing!

With great jams like “Cinderella”, “Girl Power", and “Cheetah Sisters”, we collectively jumped out of our seats, all spilling our popcorn and Capri Suns, and were jamming along with them. These songs were songs that you could hear on Top 40 radio and jam along to in the car with your crew. Also, it was not the cheesy kiddy music like years past, and packed a huge punch that future TV movie-musicals lacked.

2. The choreo was dope

From start to finish the moves were just the coolest thing you could see. From Dorinda’s trained hip-hop skills to Galleria’s sassiness, we were hooked on the moves and practiced them so much so we can show off at show and tell the following week.

3. The clothes were on point

Yeah, we all know fashion trends have changed since this golden group graced our television, but at the time, these girls knew how to dress. From cheetah print to the denim jackets to their mature style in the second movie, little girls (and boys) were hooked and got their squad together so they could go strut down the street and demand their candy on Halloween (insert finger snap).

4. Raven Symone!

The former “Cosby Show” and “That's So Raven” star is known now more for claiming she's not African American and that Africa is a country, but she was Disney Channel's “it girl” back then. Before Miley, Selena, and Demi, Raven Symoné was the girl to call to carry a show or movie. Plus, we were introduced to her singing and dancing abilities, which made us fall in love even more. Yah Nasty!

5. Adrienne Bailon!

This Hispanic fireball is now a host on the daytime talk show “The Real”, but first Bailon played the feisty Chanel in the franchise. The fights that girls would get in to be the Chuchie of their group were huge. She provided the right amount of sass to steal the show from Ms. Symoné. With Symoné leaving the group after the second movie, she filled the shoes as the lead singer very well and showed that she is a talent to be reckoned with.

6. The one-liners

C’mon, you could not help yourself when they would do their handshake and yell “growl power!” Using “Cheetahlicious” to describe everything, and leaving your parents thoroughly confused at dinner time.

7. Their confidence

These girls were not scared to check someone when they wouldn't stay in their own lane, and leave all the nonsense at the door. Also, they weren't afraid to be themselves regardless of where they were and how they were perceived.

8. It was real

It wasn't the sappy prince falls in love with the princess ending (even though we love that). It showed the emotions of being misunderstood, and seeing the ones we love being in turmoil, including Todo being caught in the pipeline (insert sad face emoji). They showed that you can actually have emotions, thoughts, feelings, and morals.

9. They were real!

They weren’t all a size two, with straight hair and pale skin. They had curves, curls, and were just as beautiful, if not more, than the typical Disney movie star. We had two beautiful black girls, a biracial beauty, and a Latina stunner. This showed little girls, who could not find a role model who looked like them, that their are girls like them and that they are important. This movie gave little hispanic, black, mixed race, and any girl of color hope that she is a star and that she is important; and that is the most important lesson of all, that you matter.