Chasing their Bollywood dream

After the movie-made-for-TV High School Musical starring Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, what teens and tweeners should watch out for is Cheetah Girls: One World which premiered last night on Disney Channel. Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon, the Cheetah Girls themselves, will again showcase their knack for singing and dancing in the movie shot entirely in Mumbai, India.

Their characters will make their Bollywood dream come true as they present the sights and sounds of India.

“Wow,” describes Adrienne of her Indian experience. “The movie is different from anything we’ve ever done. Just going to India was the biggest in terms of culture. The vibe and colors were vibrant. The culture is amazing so the different dance styles (I learned). We had over 50 dancers and a hundred extras for the finale.”

More than learning new words like Namaste and wearing gold bangles and fabulous outfits, what the Cheetah Girls would like to share with the viewers is their friendship, the reason why the group is still intact and reaping success.

“The movie expresses our friendship,” says Kiely. “It’s fun to grow in the movies where you also develop as an actress and an individual. It’s a good experience sharing our friendship with the rest of the world.”

The movie will also show the beauty of cultural diversity and the unity it entails. Remember, Adrienne is of Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian descent. Sabrina is American while Kiely is American-African. As Sabrina puts it, “No matter where you’re from and what background you have, it’s all about being one and united.”

In Cheetah Girls: One World, Sabrina, Adrienne and Kiely have been asked to star in a Bollywood film. However, only one will be the lead star. Getting a bigger billing or having appeared on many scenes is never an issue among the girls in real life.

“I think the main message of Cheetah Girls is to support your friends and be happy for their accomplishments,” says Sabrina. “We’re happy for each other when one has other things going on and yet we are excited to work together again when we get the chance.”

“Also, we know that all three of us have so many aspirations and goals,” adds Kiely. “It makes us happy that as friends we are able to do what we want to do and we are living our dream, as much as all of us are doing together as well.”

Asked if they are pressured that High School Musical 3 was a hit and they wish to equal, if not surpass, its popularity, Kiely replies, “We don’t have wishes to surpass anybody or anything. It’s just important to us that we continue with what we’re doing. We’re focused on our tour right now, and it’s doing extremely well.

“Honestly, I think a lot of the problems facing the industry is that artists are nervous about how the fans will react to other artists,” she continues. “I think if we support each other and we support all of the Disney talents, we’re gonna be stronger as a whole.”

The Cheetah Girls are now in their 48-city US tour aside from promoting their latest movie worldwide. Although they seem in the peak of their career, the girls are happier to know that they have a following in the Philippines.

“It’s a dream come true for us to go worldwide,” says Sabrina. “We’re grateful that (our fans) are excited to see the movie.”

“Hopefully, one day we could also come to the Philippines and experience its culture and people,” adds Adrienne.