If you grew up in the early 2000s, you know the vibe. The East Compton Clovers didn't just walk onto the screen in Bring It On; they high-kicked the entire genre into a new reality. It's been over twenty-five years since Gabrielle Union stared down Kirsten Dunst in a high school stadium, yet the conversation around the Clovers bring it on legacy is actually getting louder.
People think it’s just a movie about pom-poms. It’s not.
The Theft That Defined a Generation
Let's be real about the plot. The "Toros" from Rancho Carne High School were the "champions," but they were frauding. For years, their former captain had been driving down to East Compton, recording the Clovers' routines, and passing them off as her own. When the new captain, Torrance, finds out, the movie stops being a fluff piece and starts being a study on cultural appropriation before that term was even in the mainstream lexicon.
The Clovers weren't just "the competition." They were the blueprint.
The sheer athleticism required for those routines was insane. While the Toros were doing basic spirit fingers, the Clovers were hitting elite-level stunts that looked more like gymnastics than sideline cheering. It’s important to remember that during the filming in 1999, the actors—including Gabrielle Union, Shamari DeVoe, and Brandi Williams—had to undergo a grueling "cheer camp" to make the stunts look authentic. They weren't just actors; they were athletes.
Why the Clovers Bring It On Aesthetic is Making a Massive Comeback
You’ve seen the green and yellow everywhere lately. TikTok, Instagram, Halloween parties—the Clovers uniform is iconic. But why now?
Honestly, it’s about the energy. Isis, played by Union, represented a level of confidence and leadership that felt revolutionary for a teen movie. She wasn't a villain. She wasn't "sassy." She was a focused, disciplined athlete who was rightfully angry that her team's hard work had been stolen by a wealthier, whiter school.
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The Clovers brought it on by demanding a level playing field.
Breaking Down the Routine Physics
If you look at the final competition in Daytona, the choreography for the Clovers is objectively more complex. You have high-flying basket tosses, tight synchronized tumbling, and a rhythm that the Toros struggled to emulate.
- The Spirit Finger Satire: The movie mocks the "traditional" cheer style of the 90s.
- Precision: The Clovers' movements are sharper. There’s a military-like discipline to their transitions.
- The "Brabo" Factor: They had a swagger that couldn't be taught.
The Casting Genius You Probably Forgot
Did you know that half of the Clovers were actually members of the R&B group Blaque? Shamari DeVoe and Brandi Williams weren't just random extras. They brought their stage presence and musicality to the screen, which is why the Clovers' movements felt so much more "alive" than the Toros'.
Director Peyton Reed has mentioned in several interviews over the years that he wanted the Clovers to feel like the protagonists of their own story. They weren't just there to facilitate the white lead's growth. They had their own struggle—specifically, the fact that they couldn't even afford to go to the national championships because their school lacked the funding that the Toros took for granted.
The Clovers bring it on narrative is actually a story about economic disparity.
The Impact on Modern Cheerleading
Before Bring It On, cheerleading was often viewed as a sideline activity. The movie, and the Clovers specifically, helped transition the public perception toward "All-Star Cheerleading." This is the high-stakes, competitive version we see in documentaries like Cheer today.
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The stunts the Clovers performed—the high pyramids and the synchronized back-handsprings—pushed the boundaries of what was expected in a Hollywood production. They used real cheerleaders as doubles for some of the more dangerous tosses, but the actors did a surprising amount of the groundwork themselves.
What We Get Wrong About the Ending
People still argue about who should have won. The Clovers won first place. The Toros took second.
Some fans of the Toros (do they exist?) claim the Toros had "heart" because they created a new routine from scratch in a few weeks. But that misses the point. The Clovers had been the best for years; they just didn't have the platform. The win wasn't an underdog story—it was a story of justice. It was the rightful owners of the style finally getting the trophy.
It's a lesson in meritocracy. If you steal the work, you don't deserve the win. Period.
Why the Dialogue Still Hits
The script, written by Jessica Bendinger, is famously quotable. But the Clovers have the best lines. "I know you didn't think a white girl made that up," is a line that resonates even more in 2026 than it did in 2000. It's direct. It's blunt. It's the truth.
The Clovers didn't have time for fluff. They were there to work.
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Real-World Takeaways for Your Own "Clover" Energy
If you're looking to channel that East Compton energy in your own life, it’s not about the cheers. It’s about the mindset.
- Protect Your Intellectual Property: Whether it's a TikTok dance or a business idea, don't let others take credit for your "routine."
- Bet on Yourself: The Clovers didn't have a sponsor. They raised the money themselves. They showed up and dominated.
- Style with Substance: The green, yellow, and orange uniforms are fire, but the skills were better. Never let the outfit outshine the output.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Athletes
If the Clovers bring it on spirit has inspired you to dive deeper into the world of competitive cheer or just cinematic history, here is how you can actually engage with that legacy today.
First, go back and watch the 25th-anniversary interviews with the cast. There is a lot of nuance regarding the filming process and the racial dynamics on set that wasn't discussed back in 2000. Gabrielle Union has been very vocal about how she had to advocate for her character to ensure Isis wasn't written as a trope.
Second, support urban cheer programs. The movie highlighted a real issue: the lack of funding for athletic programs in marginalized communities. Organizations like the United States All Star Federation (USASF) have scholarship programs that help bridge this gap, but there is always more work to be done in ensuring the "Clovers" of the real world get to Daytona.
Finally, analyze the choreography. If you’re a dancer or athlete, break down the "Brabo" routine. Notice how they use levels—ground work, mid-tier stunts, and high-flying tosses. It’s a masterclass in visual composition.
The Clovers didn't just bring it. They defined what "it" was for an entire generation of athletes.