Eager kids and teens in baggy pants, colorful fashion-forward athleisure and worn-in sneakers huddle outside of the famous Millennium Dance Complex in Studio City, California.
About 150 people, ranging from what appears to be as young as 5 years old to 30+, including this reporter, signed up for an exclusive dancing session with the stars of the new Disney film “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” which premiered on Disney+ July 12.
Before arriving to the class, a quick search on the studio’s Instagram reassured me that my loose black pants with red stripes, red tank sports bra and tennis shoes would suffice. I hadn’t taken a professional class in years, much less one at an iconic Los Angeles dance studio.
As a handful of other reporters and I wait in the hall of the complex, we pump one another up. What we thought would be a press-only event with other journalists, turns out to be a special class for aspiring and professional dancers and fans to attend.
Are we in over our heads?
Many Disney Channel original movies are known for ear-worm pop soundtracks and infectious choreography. The moves to “We’re All In This Together” made a generation envision high school as one big dance party. “The Cheetah Girls” sequel made me plan a trip to Spain years later and “Strut” like I meant it in the Barcelona heat.
Now, instead of following Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and the rest of the amigas cheetahs from my living room with friends, I was learning from the pros. It was an opportunity to live out a teenage dream, one that was more strenuous and high-tempo that I expected.
Despite taking dance classes back in the day, I wasn’t the best — or quickest — at picking up choreography during.
But, as two of the stars from the film told me, my performance didn’t need to be perfect, you just had to have fun. It was a moment that brought joy to my inner Disney Channel tween.
Getting ‘Descendants’ ready
Before we pack inside the brightly-painted red room with mirrors on one wall, I chat with the “Rise of Red” leading ladies Kylie Cantrall and Ruby Rose Turner.
Their enthusiasm radiates through the space, and it’s clear that these actors are living and fulfilling a dream that they’ve had since they were little kids. Linking their arms while sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor, a bestie vibe is noticeable as they cheer each other on.
“We grew up taking classes at the original Millennium that was in North Hollywood, and this is such a core memory for me and Ruby,” Cantrall, who portrays Red, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, tells TODAY.com. “That’s how we met, was through dance, taking classes, training together growing up, so this is so nostalgic.
“And to be teaching this choreo from the movie to these kids,” she continues, before Turner finishes her sentence, “It’s literally, pinch me!”
The latest installment in the “Descendants” franchise centers on a new group of stars. When the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) starts a coup in Auradon, rebellious Red and Cinderella’s sweet and kind daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) go back in time to change the past and stop her. What they discover is that a teen Queen of Hearts, Bridget, played by Turner, is the polar opposite of her villainous self. So what turned her so cruel?
Brandy also reprises her 1997 “Cinderella“ role, with Paolo Montalban joining her as now-King Charming.
Landing the roles of Red and Bridget has “been a long time in the making,” Cantrall says, reminiscing on their days as young aspiring entertainers. They both started dancing when they were little, Cantrall as young as 2 years old.
“Descendants” fans are loyal, this Cantrall and Turner know. The actors are excited put their stamp on the next installment of the franchise.
“There is so much authenticity and just resemblance of the other ‘Descendants’ with our big musical numbers, costumes and how extravagant it is. I think that’s really nostalgic to the old ‘Descendants,’” Cantrall says. “But it is completely a new story, new characters like Bridget, which I think is the coolest thing about this film. The time travel aspect and showing the origin stories of these iconic characters, I think is so cool.”
Their process of getting “Descendants” ready included “a bit of a boot camp” for a month, says Turner, who mentions how her co-star also went through sword training in addition to their dance practices.
“This is truly such a magical project because of the fact that I grew up dancing and singing. This is a dream job — I think I can say that for the both of us,” Cantrall says, with a twinkle in her eyes. Turner, smiling wide, nods in agreement and says, “Absolutely!”
“Because of the fact that we have a background in all these different aspects, when you get to combine them in a project like this, it makes it like, ‘Oh, thank god I put in those hours of dance,’” Cantrall says.
‘Just trying to keep up’
Those hours of dance include learning the routine that Millennium choreographer Kelly Sweeney created specifically for the class.
Once inside, I head to the back corner of the room with three other reporters and one of their friends. Class kicks off and we quickly start to learn the first eight counts to Turner’s character’s song “Life is Sweeter.”
I remember what Cantrall told me before the class started, “I think you’ll be fine. The fun thing about it 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 comes up, two wide-eyed reporters turn to me and say they’re leaving because it appears the choreography is too advanced for them. We laugh, but I accept the challenge.
It’s a challenge that Cantrall and Turner also took on as they prepared for the role.
“The only thing that came to my brain was like, ‘Wow, everybody else is so incredible,’” Turner recalls of training. “What a cast! I’d be in rehearsals and I’d be (breathing hard). Everyone was so good.”
Cantrall adds that everyone put in the hard work, “But it’s so fun because we elevate each other and push each other in a way that’s so supportive and fun.”
But she doesn’t deny that the talent made her need to “show up because everyone here, I’m just trying to keep up with them.”
As I too try to keep up with the other dancers, a remaining reporter, her friend (shoutout to Stephanie from “Access Hollywood” and Michelle) and I keep our eyes on a dancer in front of us who has pretty much nailed the choreography that has already been taught.
When the groups get separated, I stay in the back and bust out moves that I can remember — “Jump, kick ball change, hip out, heart shape with my hands. Oh, did I miss a step, yup, OK. I’m behind, mixing the bowl, step, step. What was it again?” — races through my head.
Taking it in stride and laughing at the fun of it all, I’m, literally, trying to keep up.
As the “Life Is Sweeter” choreography comes to an end, many people are called out to perform solos and in smaller groups. The energy is high, the moves are fluid and sharp — and I take it all in, feet hurting and hungry.
A young boy who appeared to be under the age of 7 was among the stars of the class. Popping and locking and not missing a step, he nabs his own solo and rightfully so.
Next up is the “Red” choreographer, but this is where I take a bow and let the kids have their fun.
