TeenNick Chairman Nick Cannon takes the helm behind and in front of the camera as Nickelodeon presents two back-to-back movie premieres featuring the multi-talented entertainer, on Sunday, Feb. 21. Cannon makes his movie directorial debut with School Gyrls, a new hour-long original musical comedy, which he also penned, premiering at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) and stars in the network's premiere of the popular theatrical film Drumline, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
"School Gyrls introduces the multi-talented Mandy Rain, Jacque and Monica to the teen audience," said Nick Cannon, Chairman, TeenNick. "The girls are triple threats -- each with their own amazing individual personalities – and Nickelodeon viewers will get an inside look at their road to fame in this movie."
School Gyrls centers on the eponymous, real-life, multi-talented teen pop group discovered by Cannon consisting of 15-year old Mandy Rain; 15-year-old Jacquelyn Rae Pyles aka Jacque Nimble; and 16-year-old Monica Parales aka Mo Money. The TV movie also features guest appearances by Justin Bieber, Cannon, Kristinia DeBarge, Reverend Run, Soulja Boy, Angie Stone and Pete Wentz. School Gyrls marks Cannon's second project for Nickelodeon and comes on the heels of the TeenNick HALO Awards, an hour-long special he created, hosted and executive produced, that recognizes and celebrates real teens who are making a significant difference in the world.
School Gyrls follows the adventures of three freshmen at Summerdale Academy, an exclusive all-girls boarding school. Mandy Rain, Jacque and Monica love to sing and dance, but have very different individual personalities. Fate unites the girls at school and they join forces forming an unlikely and unexpected friendship. The trio enters the Teen Island stunt party, where they find themselves battling it out with the reigning champions and resident mean girls: the sophomore cheerleaders.
"Nick Cannon's creative vision as Chairman of TeenNick has come to life, first with the TeenNick HALO Awards and now with his directorial debut -- School Gyrls," said Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon. "School Gyrls really showcases Nick's knowledge of the teen demo with his discovery of these three relatable and gifted girls whose talents can live across multiple platforms."
Drumline is a dramatic comedy that spotlights the world of university marching bands. Devon Miles (Cannon) is a Harlem teenager who receives a full scholarship to attend Atlanta A&T University based on his excellent percussion talents. However, making the transition from hip-hop street drumming to the drumline of the school's legendary marching band is more challenging than he expected.
The premiere of School Gyrls will coincide with the release of a brand-new multimedia book series from Simon & Schuster Children's Division as well as the release of a debut album and a musical tour by the pop trio. Kicking off the School Gyrls book series is a movie novelization that will be published in this month by Simon Spotlight, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Aladdin Books will publish six original novels based on the three girls. Additionally, the School Gyrls, signed to Cannon's NCredible Entertainment, will also embark on a 10-week cross-country tour with Cannon in spring 2010 timed to the March 23 release of their debut album on Island Records. The first single off the album, "Something Like a Party" will be available for sale digitally on Feb. 9. Cannon has also partnered with Archie Comics to introduce the School Gyrls into their iconic comic book series, with the cartoon characterization of the girls being introduced into Archie issue #607 which will hit newsstands nationwide on March 24 and be available for download on iTunes and Archie Digital.
School Gyrls not only look the part of sweet high school students, they actually are. Consisting of Mandy Rain, Jacque (pronounced "Jackie"), and Monica, the three young pop stars have major charisma and talent. Under the guidance of Nick Cannon, the group officially formed in November 2008 and have been hard at work ever since. They made their television debut as the School Gyrls with Nick Cannon on the season finale of E!'s TV show Party Monsters in Cabo San Lucas in January 2009 and have been busy recording their forthcoming debut album. Though barely old enough to drive, these young ladies are seasoned professionals with over twenty years of acting, singing and dancing experience combined. All are professionally trained triple threats and have each appeared in countless print and TV ad campaigns, music videos and performed as dancers for a variety of live stage shows. At the heart of all of it though, they are still sassy teenage girls who share a love for shopping, fashion and roller coasters.
