"Sí se puede!" If those words don't immediately trigger a wave of early 2000s nostalgia, you probably weren't glued to the Disney Channel on July 26, 2002. That was the night we met the Marshall Middle School dance team. The cast of Gotta Kick It Up didn’t just give us another "DCOM"—they gave us a culturally resonant story about identity, socioeconomic barriers, and the sheer grit required to turn a group of outsiders into champions. Looking back, it’s wild how much talent was packed into one 85-minute TV movie directed by Ramón Menéndez.
You remember the plot. A high-strung dot-com executive (played by Susan Egan) becomes a reluctant dance coach for a group of Latina students who are tired of being overlooked. It was based on a true story, which honestly makes the stakes feel even higher when you rewatch it as an adult. But what actually happened to the girls in the colorful spandex? Some became household names, others moved behind the scenes, and a few left the industry entirely to pursue "normal" lives.
The Breakout Star: America Ferrera as Yolanda
Before she was Ugly Betty or the voice of reason in the Barbie movie, America Ferrera was Yolanda. She was the heart of the team—stubborn, fiercely loyal, and dealing with the weight of expectations. This was actually Ferrera’s film debut. Imagine having that much screen presence at 17 years old. It’s no surprise that her career skyrocketed almost immediately after.
She didn't just stay in the teen movie lane. By 2005, she was starring in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and by 2006, she had landed the role of Betty Suarez. That role made her the first Latina to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. It’s a big deal. Lately, she’s been leaning into producing and directing, using her platform to push for better representation in Hollywood. Her "Barbie" monologue in 2023 basically broke the internet, proving that her ability to deliver a gut-punch of a performance hasn't faded one bit since her days yelling "Sí se puede" in a gymnasium.
Camille Guaty: The Fierce Leader Esmeralda
Esmeralda was the "cool girl" with the attitude to match. Camille Guaty brought a specific kind of edge to the cast of Gotta Kick It Up that balanced out the more sentimental moments. If Yolanda was the heart, Esmeralda was the engine. After the movie wrapped, Guaty became a fixture on television. You might have spotted her in Prison Break as Maricruz Delgado or in the short-lived but cult-favorite series The Nine.
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She’s worked consistently for two decades. From Scorpion to Daytime Divas, she’s one of those actresses who pops up in your favorite show and you think, "I know her from somewhere!" Most recently, she’s been involved in advocacy work and mothering, often sharing glimpses of her life on social media that feel way more grounded than your typical Hollywood star. She’s stayed close with several of her former castmates, which is the kind of wholesome content we all need.
The Coach: Susan Egan’s Pivot from Broadway
Susan Egan played Heather Bartlett, the "outsider" coach. In the movie, she’s a tech person who knows nothing about dance or the community she’s stepped into. In real life? Susan Egan is a Broadway legend. She was the original Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and the voice of Megara in Disney’s Hercules.
Since the movie, Egan hasn't slowed down. She’s become a massive figure in the "Disney Concert" circuit. She co-founded Disney Princess- The Concert, which tours globally. It’s funny to think that while she was playing a character who struggled to find her rhythm in the movie, she was actually one of the most technically gifted performers on set. She often talks about how the cast of Gotta Kick It Up taught her about the power of ensemble storytelling.
What About the Rest of the Team?
The secondary characters often get lost in these "where are they now" deep dives, but they were the ones who made the dance routines look authentic.
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- Jhoanna Flores (Alyssa): She was the "preppy" one of the group. Jhoanna did a bit more acting in the early 2000s, appearing in The Shield, but she eventually transitioned away from the spotlight.
- Suilma Rodriguez (Marisol): Suilma brought a lot of the comic relief and groundedness to the group. Like many child actors of that era, she moved into other professional ventures after a few more roles in projects like Looking for Lola.
- Sabrina Wiener (Daisy): She was the younger, quieter member of the squad. After the movie, she largely stepped back from the industry.
It's a common trajectory. Not everyone wants to stay in the grind of auditions once they hit their twenties. For many of these women, the movie was a peak moment in their adolescence before they moved into careers in education, business, or private sectors.
Why This Movie Actually Mattered (And Still Does)
Most Disney Channel movies of that era were about magic or extreme sports. Gotta Kick It Up was different. It dealt with the reality of underfunded schools and the cultural tension between traditional folklorico dance and modern "step" or hip-hop. It wasn't just about winning a trophy; it was about being seen.
The film was directed by Ramón Menéndez, who also gave us Stand and Deliver. That’s why it feels "heavier" than something like Pixel Perfect. He treated the young actresses like serious performers. When you look at the cast of Gotta Kick It Up, you're looking at a group of girls who were given a script that actually respected their heritage instead of just using it as a backdrop.
Surprising Facts from Behind the Scenes
- The "Sí se puede" catchphrase: This wasn't just a catchy movie line. It was the motto of the United Farm Workers, coined by Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez. Including it in a Disney movie was a quiet act of political signaling that most kids missed but parents definitely noticed.
- The Choreography: The girls actually had to learn these routines. There weren't high-tech body doubles for every shot. They spent weeks in rehearsals to make sure the fusion of styles looked believable.
- The Real-Life Inspiration: The movie was inspired by the real-life experience of a teacher named Meghan Donevan at a middle school in Santa Ana, California.
The Legacy of the Marshall Middle School Dance Team
There’s a reason this movie still trends on TikTok every few months. It represents a specific era of "Latina Excellence" that wasn't being shown elsewhere on TV at the time. Before Jane the Virgin or One Day at a Time, we had Yolanda and Esmeralda.
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The cast of Gotta Kick It Up paved the way for a generation of performers who realized they didn't have to play the "best friend" or the "sidekick." They could be the leads. They could be the ones with the complex home lives and the big dreams.
Honestly, the most impressive thing about the cast isn't just their IMDB pages. It's how they've handled the legacy of the film. Whenever Ferrera or Guaty are asked about it in interviews, they speak with genuine affection. There’s no "I’m too big for that now" energy. They know they were part of something that meant a lot to kids who rarely saw their own lives reflected on the screen.
Practical Ways to Reconnect with the Film Today
If you’re looking to revisit the magic or see what the cast is doing now, here are a few ways to dive back in:
- Streaming: The movie is a permanent fixture on Disney+. It’s worth a rewatch just to see America Ferrera’s "baby face" and incredible acting chops.
- Social Media: Follow America Ferrera and Camille Guaty on Instagram. They often post throwbacks, especially on the movie's anniversaries.
- Broadway Fans: Check out Susan Egan’s "Princess" tour if it comes to your city. Her voice is still absolutely flawless.
- Behind the Scenes: Look up interviews with Ramón Menéndez regarding the making of the film. It adds a whole new layer of appreciation for the cinematography and the social messages embedded in the script.
The story of the cast of Gotta Kick It Up is one of longevity. Whether they stayed in Hollywood or found success elsewhere, they remain part of a cultural touchstone that proved kids from any background can "kick it up" if they have the right support and the courage to demand a seat at the table.
To really appreciate the impact, go back and watch the final dance sequence. Pay attention to the faces of the background extras—real kids from the community. That authenticity is why the movie still holds up twenty-plus years later. It wasn't just a movie for them; it was a moment.
If you're feeling inspired, look into local youth dance programs or arts non-profits in underserved areas. Many of these organizations operate on the same shoe-string budgets shown in the movie and could use the support. The best way to honor the "Sí se puede" spirit is to help someone else realize that they can, too.