(I’d personally love to see a queer mom on the show played by Wanda Sykes, an Actual Queer Mom® with great comic timing, though this is at the moment purely wishful thinking on my part). Let’s hope the show does the queer characters proud (!) and continues on to even more LGBTQ representation-and of course an awesome Pride parade.

Same-sex parents was something that not even as early as 10 years ago was an eyebrow-raiser, but now you see it every place.” Smith shared in an interview at The Grio that “We come up with our topics based on everything that we sort of see our own kids live through. I definitely made it my own and they do give me the space to do so.”Ĭreator and executive producer Bruce W. I’m hopeful Johnson is also gender nonconforming, and told ET, “I think that this character really is very much connected with me. I won’t grumble too much if they treat the character with respect and authenticity. Michael is described as “a non-conforming trendsetter, serving up fierce looks at school and on the basketball court.” What they mean, of course, is “gender non-conforming,” but I guess they’re being coy about that. Maya is described as a “activist,” and press materials indicate she and KG “not only have to deal with the struggles of being the new kids but also having two dads, a first for Smithville.” (What they should have said, of course, was that they “not only have to deal with the struggles of being the new kids but also of how people react to their having two dads, a first for Smithville.” Having two dads in and of itself is not the struggle.)Īlso back on the show is Penny’s friend Michael Collins, now voiced by EJ Johnson ( Rich Kids of Beverly Hills) instead of Phil LaMarr. Penny’s old friends are still there, but there will also be new faces in the town of Smithville, including Maya (Keke Palmer) and KG, children of Randall and Barry Leibowitz-Jenkins, voiced by Billy Porter ( Pose) and Zachary Quinto ( Star Trek), respectively. Penny’s grandmother Suga Mama (JoMarie Payton) also returns, ready as ever to dispense tough love or a gentle hand whenever Penny needs it. We will see new career highs for mom Trudy (Kyla Pratt), wilder dreams for dad Oscar (Tommy Davidson) and new challenges for Penny (Kyla Pratt), including a socially woke neighbor who thinks she has a lot to teach her, bullying social media influencers who want to cancel her, and her own teenage hormones, not to mention twin siblings BeBe and CeCe. My favorite words to hear in the whole world are. He has always believed in me, protected me, strengthened me, and I know without a doubt that he loves me unconditionally. The original cast is returning for the show, but things are changing for the Proud family. My father gave me the greatest give anyone could give another person: He believed in me. The new show, like the original, follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her Proud Family as they navigate life with hilarity and heart. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which will premiere on Disney+ February 23, is a reboot of the Disney Channel’s The Proud Family, which ran from 2001 to 2005. L-R: Michael Collins (EJ Johnson), Barry Leibowitz-Jenkins (Zachary Quinto), Randall Leibowitz-Jenkins (Billy Porter), and Maya (Keke Palmer). Through it all, Penny comes of age with her friends and family by her side.The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder – (C) Disney. As usual, Suga Mama inserts her comical commentary on everything going on with the family. Trudy ( Paula Jai Parker), expanding her veterinary career with a pet ambulance, encourages dialogue and relationship building to guide Penny through her teenage years (and at just the right moments, her words of wisdom are exactly what Penny needs). Oscar Proud ( Tommy Davidson) is on a mission to protect Penny as she navigates teenagehood, though his methods are suffocating (like insisting that Penny wear military gear to school to cover up her curves). She and her friends are all facing changes to their appearances and experiences, and viewers get to see how they handle it all - from dating to responsibly using social media to lifting their voices for good and remaining true to themselves.

In THE PROUD FAMILY: LOUDER AND PROUDER, years have passed since we last saw The Proud Family, and Penny Proud ( Kyla Pratt) is all grown up - literally! She's gained inches in height, a bustline, and a backside to match.

Proud family dad