"The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder" Reboot Will Still Be Unapologetically Black, And Here's 16 Reasons Why

"It's truly Black. It's Blackity-Black."

I'm on the edge of my seat because The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is almost here, so queue up the theme song because I can't contain my excitement any longer!

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The series will be streaming on Disney+ from February 23rd!

We'll be picking up right where we left off, except Penny is now 16 years old and trying to navigate her way through modern life. Yes, Penny Proud in the 2020s! Who would've thought this day would come?!

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So here's why I think The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder reboot will still be relatable today!

1. Kyla Pratt still plays Penny Proud like nothing's changed, and I'm here for it!

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I still can't get my head around the fact that Kyla was 14 when she first started voicing Penny, and to see her all grown up makes me feel like we've grown up with her.

It's not just her distinctive voice that sets her apart from any other characters in the show, but also the upcoming issues and obstacles she's going to face in the new series. So it's going to be nice to see younger girls looking up to her all over again, and for it to not only be hilarious but also educational.

2. Penny's going to be tackling issues surrounding social media.

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In the trailer we see Penny flaunting her new digital device around, and even taking pictures for the Gram. We'll be seeing her dealing with social media influencers who want to cancel her. 

With cancel culture being so actively spoken about, this will show the viewers the good and bad side of being on social media, and the pressures that come with it. 

3. The show will be teaching people a thing or two about being a socially aware citizen.

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Most of the information we consume is mostly from social media and news channels, but there's nothing wrong with stepping away from that and talking to people in the real world. In the original series, Penny had a willingness to learn and gain knowledge in areas that were taboo at the time, so it only makes sense to continue this, and I'm here for it.

4. We're going to witness Penny becoming a woman.

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When you're a teenager, life becomes more stressful – there's puberty, hormones, new romances, new friends. You get the gist! So, Penny's going to have a hard time juggling all of this with her parents, especially her overprotective dad Oscar.

With womanhood being such a complicated topic to talk about, it's hard for parents to understand where we're coming from during this time. For them to accept that you're not a little girl anymore is a hard pill to swallow, so seeing that scenario play out between Penny and her dad is something we don’t see on TV all too often, and I'm ALL for it!

5. Penny's hormones are in full swing and she's crushing hard.

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She definitely had her romantic moments in the previous series, but now we’re seeing her in an actual relationship. There are always ups and downs when it comes to dating at such a young age, and as you can see, Oscar isn't too fond of this. We'll have to wait and see if Oscar can find a way of understanding his daughter and relating to her on a different level. It’s great to have another series to help parents and kids with what can be a tricky time in both of their lives.

6. The father and daughter bond between Oscar and Penny is realistic.

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I love their father and daughter relationship, and we get to experience that all over again in this new series. Time and time again, there's a stereotype of Black dads not being in the lives of their children, so I'm happy that this show continues to change that narrative.

7. Oh, and Suga Mama is still just like that grandmother we all know and love.

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In all Black families, there's always that one grandma who's simply a badass! Suga Mama's youthful spirit and tough love is what reminds us all of our own grandma's, and I'm glad she's back on our screens.

8. And we can't forget about Bobby Proud.

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I'm here for Bobby's perm and the throw on bandanna again, okay! 

Bobby was always undeniably one of the show's funniest characters – like come on, he was a whole mood! He may not have been one of the main characters, but every family has their own Bobby, so I'm glad he's making a comeback.

9. Penny's friendship group will continue to show us perspectives on different backgrounds and upbringings.

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One thing I absolutely loved about the original series is the diversity between Penny's friends. In all friendship groups, every individual has a uniqueness that sets them apart from everyone else, and I think this show represents this extremely well. All the characters have their own unique personalities, so there’s someone for everyone to relate to!

10. And there are great new characters, which means even more representation!

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We don't get to see same-sex parenting depicted on TV often enough, let alone in a Black-led animated show, so It's a good move to make on a show that prides itself in inclusivity. Representing the fact that families come in many different forms is why we love The Proud Family. Randall and Barry's marriage and their adoptive daughter Maya will hopefully make more people feel seen and teach us all a few new things.

11. The introduction of Maya is sure to be a positive, empowering influence on young Black kids.

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I was ecstatic when I found out Keke Palmer is be joining the family, voicing 14-year-old activist Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins. In our current climate, Maya's the perfect role model to look up to. She's bound to make a positive impact on our socially interested younger generation, and I can't wait to see all the little girls appreciating her!

12. Michael's back, but this time we get to see them living their best authentic life.

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We knew Michael as Penny's flamboyant friend who loved fashion and dancing, but because of these interests, got bullied constantly. But now, Michael's now gender non-conforming and unapologetically expressive!

When it comes to LGBTQ+ identities, a lot has changed since the original series aired, and for the better – executive producer Ralph Farquhar revealed that they couldn't really lean into this dynamic back in the day, but this time they're going straight at it. Having a Black queer character is going to be so powerful – hopefully, Michael's story will speak to those who've been through similar experiences or are currently exploring their own identity.

13. Whether we watched the original or not, the new theme song will have us all bopping our heads.

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One of the key features of the previous show was the theme song which was originally sung by Solange and Destiny's Child, and we all loved it because of its soulfulness and catchy lyrics. But since we're in a new generation, switching it up feels right.

Joyce is here to take the baton and sing the new theme tune, and just by hearing a few snippets of it, I love the likeness to the original, as well as the hip hop element. I'm in no doubt that the younger generation will catch on to it fast – and sing it all around the house.

14. The hair and fashion is just as unique and bold as it was in the original.

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I love how they didn't change the characters hair or fashion sense because that's how we recognise them. Yes, the fashion in this show may seem simple to you, but I think that's what makes it so engaging to younger viewers. But keep an eye out for Michael, who'll be serving different looks each episode!

The outfits are easy to grab inspo from, and we can't forget about the simplistic yet effective hairstyles, like, hello, a Penny Proud-inspired hairstyle, anyone?! It's not only super cute, but great for so many different afro hair textures.

15. As the title suggests, Penny’s family are louder and prouder than ever, which is relatable AF.

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It's been 16 years since we've heard Oscar yell "TRUDY", and since then the volume in my household has remained at that same level. I don't know about you, but my mum just doesn't get tired of raising her voice – so when the characters do it on the show, it gives me a sense of reassurance that I'm not alone. 

16. And finally, the cast are just like a real family, which makes the reboot feel all the more authentic – "even when you start acting like a fool. You know I'm loving every single thing you do."

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This reunion was nostalgic, but at the same time, it made me feel hella old! Seeing the family dynamic between the cast is everything, and It shows that on and off-screen, there's still that authenticity that can make anyone smile.

There's just something about the cast's passion that makes you want to watch the series even more, and to me, that's what makes this new series such a dream come true.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, will be available to stream on Disney+ from February 23rd, so I hope you're counting down the days like me!

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Don't miss Sam Claflin in the new rom-com Book of Love from BuzzFeed Studios, available on Sky Cinema from 12 Feb.

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