Eager children and teenagers in loose-fitting pants, vibrant athleisure outfits, and worn-in sneakers gather outside the renowned Millennium Dance Complex in Studio City, California.
About 150 individuals, ranging in age from as young as 5 to well over 30, including this reporter, signed up for an exclusive dance session with stars from the new Disney film, “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” which premiered on Disney+ on July 12.
Before attending the class, a quick check on the studio’s Instagram assured me that my loose black pants with red stripes, red tank sports bra, and tennis shoes would be adequate. I hadn’t taken a professional class in years, much less at such an iconic Los Angeles dance studio.
As a handful of other reporters and I waited in the hallway, we encouraged each other. What we thought would be a press-only event turned out to be a special class open to aspiring and professional dancers and fans alike.
Many Disney Channel original movies are known for their catchy soundtracks and infectious choreography. The steps to “We’re All In This Together” made a generation see high school as one big dance party. “The Cheetah Girls” sequel inspired me to visit Spain and “Strut” like I meant it under the Barcelona sun.
Instead of following Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, and the rest of the amigas cheetahs from my living room, I was now learning from professionals. It was an opportunity to live out a teenage dream, more challenging and fast-paced than I anticipated.
Despite taking dance classes in the past, I wasn’t the best—or fastest—at picking up choreography.
But, as two of the film’s stars told me, it wasn’t about perfection, it was about fun. It brought joy to my inner Disney Channel teen.
Before entering the brightly-painted red room with mirrored walls, I chatted with “Rise of Red” leading ladies Kylie Cantrall and Ruby Rose Turner.
Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear they were living a dream they had since childhood. Sitting cross-legged and linking arms, their bestie vibe was evident as they cheered each other on.
“We grew up taking classes at the original Millennium in North Hollywood, and this is such a core memory for me and Ruby,” Cantrall, who portrays Red, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, told me. “That’s how we met, through dance, taking classes, training together, so this is nostalgic.
“And to teach this choreo from the movie to these kids,” she continued before Turner finished, “It’s literally, pinch me!”
The latest installment in the “Descendants” franchise introduces a new group of stars. When the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) begins a coup in Auradon, Red and Cinderella’s daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) travel back in time to stop her. They discover that a young Queen of Hearts, Bridget—played by Turner—is the opposite of her future villainous self. What caused her to become so cruel?
Brandy reprises her 1997 “Cinderella” role, with Paolo Montalban joining her as King Charming.
Landing the roles of Red and Bridget was “a long time in the making,” Cantrall said, recalling their days as young aspiring performers. Both started dancing as children, Cantrall at the age of 2.
“Descendants” fans are loyal, and Cantrall and Turner are excited to leave their mark on the franchise.
“There’s so much authenticity and resemblance to the other ‘Descendants’ with our big musical numbers, costumes, and extravagance. It’s nostalgic to the old ‘Descendants,’” Cantrall said. “But it’s a completely new story with new characters like Bridget, which is the coolest thing. The time travel aspect and showing the origin stories of these iconic characters is so cool.”
Their preparation included “a bit of a boot camp” for a month, Turner noted, mentioning her co-star also underwent sword training along with dance practices.
“This is such a magical project because I grew up dancing and singing. This is a dream job—I think I can say that for both of us,” Cantrall said, with a gleam in her eyes. Turner, with a wide smile, agreed, “Absolutely!”
“When you get to combine all these different aspects in a project like this, it makes you appreciate all those hours of dance,” Cantrall added.
A dance class for “Descendants: The Rise of Red.” Vince Bucci / Disney
‘Just trying to keep up’
These hours included learning a routine crafted by Millennium choreographer Kelly Sweeney specifically for the class.
Once inside, I headed to the back corner with three other reporters and one of their friends. The class began and we quickly started learning the first eight counts to Turner’s character’s song “Life is Sweeter.”
I recalled Cantrall’s words before the class, “I think you’ll be fine. The fun part is, you can make it your own… Have fun.”
Turner added, “It doesn’t have to be perfect. No one’s expecting perfection.”
As the second eight-count started, two wide-eyed reporters decided to leave, feeling the choreography was too advanced. We laughed, but I accepted the challenge.
It was a challenge Cantrall and Turner also faced during their preparations.
“All I could think was, ‘Wow, everybody else is so incredible,’” Turner recalled of training. “What a cast! I’d be in rehearsals, and everyone was so good.”
Cantrall added that everyone worked hard, “But it’s so fun because we elevate and support each other.”
Though she admitted the talent around her made her feel the need to “show up because everyone here, I’m just trying to keep up with them.”
As I too tried to keep up, the remaining reporter, her friend, and I focused on a dancer in front of us who had nailed the choreography.
When it was time for smaller groups to perform, I stayed in the back, recalling moves as best I could—“Jump, kick ball change, hip out, heart shape with hands. Oh, did I miss a step? Mixing the bowl, step, step. What was it again?”—raced through my mind.
Taking it in stride and enjoying the fun, I was literally trying to keep up.
As the “Life Is Sweeter” choreography concluded, many were called to perform solos and in smaller groups. The energy was high, the moves sharp—I took it all in, feet hurting and hungry.
A young boy, appearing to be under 7, was among the stars. Popping and locking without missing a beat, he earned his solo.
Next up was the “Red” choreographer, but this was my cue to bow out and let the kids enjoy their moment.