As a little girl, Disney Channel was the greatest in my eyes. "That's So Raven," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," and all of those Disney Channel Original movies!? They were my passion. But, one fantasy that all little girls shared, starting in 2003, was the dream of being a Cheetah Girl. My sister, our two friends, and I were such die-hard Cheetah fans, in fact, that we formed our own little group of four, each assigned to our favorite Cheetah girl. We wrote songs, watched the movies constantly, and I cannot tell you how many pictures there are of us in our matching cheetah print pajamas. Needless to say, that was not our greatest moment.
Why were the Cheetah Girls such a hit? Because they were, by far, the fiercest role models on Disney Channel to date. Here's why.
1. They could bust out unplanned, synchronized dances anytime, anywhere.
Who wouldn't want to do that with their friends?
2. Their outfits were always on point.
They were matching, yet not completely matching. They just always had a tasteful amount of coordination. Very tasteful.
3. They got to wear these cheetah print tracksuits in assorted colors
Not gonna lie, 7 year-old me really wanted Chanel's purple tracksuit. (And those sweatbands, though.)
4. Their parents let them pretty much do anything
Remember that one time they called Barcelona at 3 a.m. and auditioned for a talent show over the phone? I don't think anyone's parents would go for that. But, hey, at least they graced the world with Strut on that trip.
5. Random boys seemed to just follow them everywhere
There was this guy...
and this guy...
and these guys?
Seriously, where were their parents?
6. They dominated any stage
The Cheetah Girls always gave us a flawless performance. I'm sure we all still know the words to Strut, Amigas Cheetahs, The Party's Just Begun, the list goes on and on.
7. They taught little girls what friendship really means
Their spots may have been different colors, but they were always there for each other.
We will always be those 7 year-old Cheetah Girls at heart, "Por la vida."
