Former DAYS cutie Ashley Benson (ex-Abby) will star in a new Lifetime Original Movie entitled Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal which will premiere on Lifetime Television in the summer of 2008. Lifetime Television announced the production on the movie last Friday, February 22. The movie will also star Academy Award Winner Tatum O’Neal and dancer/actress Jenna Dewan.
Based on a true story, this movie involves a group of friends known as the ‘Fab Five’ who are all on the cheerleading squad and who constantly disobey school rules and authority while administrators turn the other way. One day a bright-eyed, optimistic, gutsy teacher named Emma Carr joins the faculty as the new head cheerleading coach and fights to end the beautiful and well-connected girls’ reign of misbehavior. The concerned teacher hopes to protect the girls from endangering themselves and damaging their futures and asks for the principal’s support in disciplining the girls. Shockingly, the principal requests Emma’s resignation instead. As a result, Emma risks her teaching career by breaking the news of the girls’ scandalous behavior and the administrators’ conduct to the local and national media.
Ashley portrays Brooke Tippit, captain of the cheerleading squad. Tatum O’Neal portrays Principal Lorene Tippit and the mother of Brooke. Fans may recall that Ashley portrayed Abigail “Abby” Devereaux on DAYS from November of 2004 until May of 2007. Ashley most recently starred in Bring It On: In It To Win It as a the captain of a cheerleading squad. Her character in this new Lifetime Original Movie is obviously a far cry from the sweet, sensible, wise-beyond her-years Abby on DAYS. Ashley has managed to stay quite busy since her departure from DAYS and this movie will undoubtedly showcase her range of acting abilities even more portraying a mean, rebellious, and disruptive young girl.
The real-life scandalous events took place in McKinney, Texas, which is a suburb north of Dallas. The story broke in late 2006 and this movie’s purpose is to serve as a reminder to parents to closely set limits and monitor their children. I have no doubt Ashley will shine in her performance in this controversial new movie. I will be sure to post when you can see Ashley on Lifetime this summer!
