First Non-Black Soul Train Dancer Cheryl Song Recalls How She Got The Show! | American Soul

After making a name for herself as the first non-black dancer on "Soul Train," Cheryl Song credits the show for allowing her to work with Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
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[@soultrain]

Watch Season 2 of 'I Was A Soul Train Dancer' first episode featuring Vivica A. Fox right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIKppq2biNeipdE

[@cherylbarber4493]

I remember her!!! I had an uncle who was in love with her. He loved watching her whip her hair around. Lol.

[@lakisaparker-young3018]

Thank's

[@markasflood8196]

@@cherylbarber4493 she has beautiful hair!

[@decimationjones2342]

Vivica??.. nah I’m good

[@LeKs4]

please Soul Train, who was the other super long hair girl? I was so in love with her as a young boy !!!

[@nunayadamnbusiness]

These people we're stars to me growing up. Her long hair was iconic.

[@SouthernBeautie2010]

Yep. I remember her because of her hair!!

[@karenearle5507]

Yes!

[@ladynikkie]

My mom told me about her until I saw the old Soul Train episodes

[@veevee4261]

I wish I could grow my hair that long! 😩

[@leftsidedriving]

were, not we're

[@TalkinnGrubbinMedia]

Cheryl still looks good after all these years.

[@spicyhot2552]

Yeah Cheryl does still look nice...I wonder how old she is?..🤔

[@prof32]

Asians are like black people. You really can't tell their age either.

[@lhrdst1]

Talkin' & Grubbin' Media I watched every week and loved Cheryl’s moves and fashion style.

[@cbrown940]

Her sex appeal hasn't waned one bit - sheesh! She's still got it!!

[@damianstarks3338]

Read my mind here.

[@xoxolorae]

As a Korean girl who grew up in a predominately Black community as a kid, I really appreciated this snippet. I was always a bit of an outcast to everyone. White and Black kids always made fun of me for being Asian. Asians (the fobby ones) thought I was pretending to be something I’m not. It sucked. But then a group of my friend took me to their Black congregated church, so I grew up listening to Kirk Franklin and singing in the choir. Yes, I was the only non Black choir member. And Cheryl’s story reminds me of my childhood! At the end of the day, it wasn’t really about an Asian girl being in a Black choir. They said I could sing and I sang! And that’s that.

[@kendricjonrs8581]

As a Black man, I just want to acknowledge my appreciation for you being mindful and respectful by correctly capitalizing Black as a proper noun. Its embarrassing/shameful that most Americans don't participate in humanity enough to know when they're being disrespectful. Thank you again for recognizing that a black cat and a Black man shouldn't be identified the same, because an adjective and a proper noun are mutually exclusive. Of course I wrote this to edify the ignorant as much as to acknowledge your humanity.

[@fordgary3000]

THAT HOW IT REALLY SHOULD BE.

[@marvelouss719]

One of the things I have learned about most black folks all over the world, we are the most welcoming .

[@American-drone]

아이고 고생 하셨습니다. ㅜㅜ 커크 프랭클린 목사님 노래 정말 신나죠

[@amandanicolemorgan]

As a black woman, I have to say it was comforting to see her there🎉

[@QueenB-pe3cq]

So because she was not a blank woman it elevated her career ? Of course the ashy black man made it possible.

[@amandanicolemorgan]

@@QueenB-pe3cq unfortunately, white supremacy made it possible! But she was a nice person! We black women still rule, and nothing and nobody will change that!

[@amandanicolemorgan]

@@QueenB-pe3cq why did she feel more comfortable around black folks than white folks on bandstand? We black folks must be doing something right😁

[@Oqhixiism]

@@amandanicolemorgan idk 🤷‍♀️ some people feel comfortable when the share something in common. Like I tend to hang with women more than men because I am comfortable around women.

[@KhadijaIsACutie]

Im an Arab but the most racist person I’ve meant was a black person, just because you’re not racist doesn’t mean everyone else in your community isn’t. It’s so weird seeing black people pride themselves for… being a decent human being?

[@lenhalz8086]

That's so dope how back then with all the initial flack she got, she still had enough swag to just do her thing no matter what. She is a G

[@josephperkins4080]

Correction...she had style.Style is real,swag is pretend

[@jonathans4503]

Her long hair raised up her beauty by a lot of points.

[@jorgebarranco8640]

Nice picture ha!!!!!

[@kymmzej9173]

this the woman Dave Chappelle was talking about? lol

[@MrAlgorhythm]

@Ms Fairfax While agree there is an unhealthy rift between black men and black women, and an attraction to light skin and long hair, that's not entirely the reason. It's more to do with why black folks liked Elvis before that time, or Teena Marie and Hall & Oates of that era, or Jon B and Eminem in the 90's, or Nao Yoshioka today. There is always a fascination with the "different," how someone with a different background can become sincerely immersed in a culture stereotypically not theirs. On the other hand, white folks liked Hootie and the Blowfish so much, perhaps because his stage persona offered them an insipid sense of racial harmony. I don't think there's anything connected to self-hatred, or something sinister about this woman's popularity on Soul Train. It's only intrigue with the different.

[@afakespace]

"Who does that high yellow b**** think she is?"🤣😂🤣😂 Girl, it's 2019 and I still hear that 🤣😂

[@EyeAmTree]

Amanda Sheppard Wow I was on that part when I seen your comment 😂😂

[@karaokecatlady]

😔

[@jameeliaclarke3576]

I'm sorry

[@ellaenchanted2348]

Amanda Sheppard such a racist thing for people to say...

[@violetraccoon1649]

Lmao that was definitely racist

[@glendafreeman6300]

I grew up watching her dance on Soul Train. She was my favorite dancer, I grew up wondering if she was my mother 😂; my parents divorced when I was 4 years old, my father had custody of me and I never knew my mother, but I knew she was Asian and she lived in LA. I finally met my mother at the age of 20. Thank you for sharing her story, it brought back memories ❤

[@keem2153]

Real question why do so many women keep saying she was there favorite same thing happened with j lo on living color just wondering is it because she’s not black ?

[@glendafreeman6300]

@@keem2153 maybe because she was…

[@liislive529]

@@glendafreeman6300 is she your mother?

[@Kira_Kadaver]

@@keem2153 I mean OP is Asian so it could be that she connected with her, there’s also the factor that they stood out because they were in a predominantly black space. When you’re in a space dominated by ONE race and you’re the outlier that takes a lot of courage, and a lot of talent(you have to over-perform and do a lot more to prove yourself and solidify your space in one that is not usually your own.)

[@teahgurl]

I think maybe bc she stood out, bc she was eye catching bc of a different ethnicity not that she had anymore talent than the rest, but obviously a noticeable difference

[@user-dl6ll4qj8i]

As a Korean dancer, she is a huge inspiration to me. No one can dance better than black people but she fit right in!

[@shalawndudley2094]

I remember her back in the day on Soul Train! Her being Asian never phased me. I was mesmerized with her hair! Lol...

[@erickanew]

Me too I didn't pay it any mind, just remember her dancing really good and the long hair

[@ampstudios]

the only reason why it is an issue now, is because of social media, social media basically allowed the jealous, insecure, i'm better than you, type crowd to have a voice.

[@4givenbyf8th]

Facts 💯 You too! Her hair was so long.

[@SunnyIlha]

Yea! We'Yall watchin Soul Train waitn fo Cheryl Wea She at ! What kaina moves She gonna do! C'mon Gurl, fling yo hair!!

[@erickanew]

@I TROLL HYBRIDS lol, you even gave yourself the troll name

[@messiahblack4816]

This is an example of humility when embracing a culture outside of your own...It didnt hurt that she had a lil funk in her moves to boot. Beautiful personality....

[@LUX_8]

?????

[@erickacolden692]

I don't understand the comment messiah, but she was a great dancer when I was going up watching her, Jodie waltie back in the day lol 😉

[@littlegothgirl8869]

I agree.

[@irislee8711]

QueOnda 123 she’s STILL Japanese tho...so wouldn’t it still be apart of her culture ? This comment implies that her being mixed makes her an outsider. Thank you for telling on the Asian community and their anti blackness.

[@DutchessJones]

Well said

[@Emmie1]

What she said really resonates with me. When you're so used to not seeing people who look like you in certain professions, it just doesn't even occur to you that YOU could do that too, despite how much you enjoy and are skilled at it.

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

Yes! I was in performing arts and modeling, as a kid. I thought just rich or connected people could do it, but found out there were auditions in the paper (1980s-1990s). I didn’t have a stage mom who set it all up. I was always dragging my friends to auditions, to show them anyone can do it! You just have to be interested and show up with a photo and a description/resume. Today, you have to put out videos, but anyone with time can do that. Photos/videos don’t have to be expensive or high quality. The look and talent they want is obvious, and they need ordinary looking people, too, for many roles. Everyone thinks they look or sound ordinary without high production values, but the studios do that! The same goes for many other fields. I started an urban 4-H club, cause I found out that’s not just for country kids. It’s all about helping people find their interests and pursue them. They have talent shows and science contests…so many options. I’m in the substance use treatment field now & would love to do vocational rehab, too. Wherever you come from, there are still so many things you can do & be. When we don’t see people around us doing certain things, we think that’s for “somebody else,” but it’s all in you! ❤

[@RaiderRSupastar]

I am glad she appreciated us by being on the show. I respect that she breaking a barrier to be on the show . Glad that she gave the Soul Train credit

[@culturezoneculturezone9071]

She's so freaking gorgeous! Yes people, it's ok to embrace others culture, as long as you respect it

[@LaPetite510]

🤔It's crazy how subjective looks can be.

[@Risingofthephoenix]

@@LaPetite510 for as old as she is she looks damn good. GO someplace if you gonna be nasty.

[@culturezoneculturezone9071]

@Bitch McBitch nigga wut?? Liking Japanese music is different from fetishizing asian women dumbass. I prefer black women anyways, so ur point is null and void to me.

[@qtaro-7097]

just a black guy who likes jpop what the other dude was saying is practice what you preach. you say you like jpop and you are fine doing that as long as you respect it like this chinese girl do. some ppl like to always emphasize this statement only when it comes black culture but at the same time hating on non blacks for embracing black culture like they think it’sbeing stolen from them even if other ppl havent done anything wrong and that double standard that should be fine for black ppl to embrace other culture without being called out for it. just saying.

[@sophiaatn5339]

Risingofthephoenixx x to you

[@suhugo9546]

This needs to be made into a movie. Can you imagine the music soundtrack. Make it happen Netflix!

[@1LordTez]

Su Hugo ❤️

[@KinkyCurlieGirl86]

BET has a scripted series called American Soul based on Don Cornelius and how Soul Train started.

[@izzywoods794]

YES

[@millennialfalcon8958]

Amen, make an opportunity for an up and coming Asian actress to have a starting role.

[@TheSweetestCocoa]

If Amazon prime makes it, it might actually be good.

[@mercyrn35]

She was a staple on Soul Train. She stood out because you could tell she loved dancing. There were just so many great talented people that came from that dance floor!

[@vickirhodes9133]

I went to Audubon Junior High School with Cheryl and we were in a lot of advanced classes together. Imagine my surprise when we get to high school and she's on "Soul Train"! She was always a great person and I wish her every success!

[@nikkichan79]

I attended Audubon too but at a much later year. 1994

[@stevechoi6491]

I believe James Harden the Basketball player went there. Didn’t Nipsey Hussle also go there as well?

[@nataliepowell908]

I went to Audubon, Dorsey & UCLA with Cheryl Song. She was a great dancer and a very nice person. She is definitely an iconic person from the Soul Train show.

[@vickirhodes9133]

@@nataliepowell908 - Natalie, did you go to 42nd Street School? I went there from Kindergarten until the end of 4th grade.

[@georgethomas6744]

That's really nice mam. I wish I had got to meet her with you! She does seem to be a really nice person as well as a fabulous dancer.

[@caramelspice7244]

Soul Train was at its peak in the 80s, and she was on every episode. As a girl I never thought about her being Asian, just that she always looked amazing and was a fabulous dancer.

[@junlizhu2312]

Same. Didn't realized she was Asian

[@charlottecarlos6296]

@@junlizhu2312 But you better believe the black men knew she was Asian, as most black men are colorist. That's the only thing she had going for her.

[@SP-zj3iu]

Stop hating, Charlotte

[@tymeonmyhandz]

At that age I didn't even know what Asian was, I just remembered I loved her hair

[@vykandzsmom4420]

Same here. I watched to show every weekend and never thought her as anything but another dancer to copy.

[@Papi_Churr0]

Now this* is cultural APPRECIATION 👏 she has a really nice way about her 😊

[@drewhaynes1874]

@King Stan difference is she knows the roots and acknowledged that is was black... She wasnt doing it for money or a trend. Appropriation is stealing from the culture,mislabling it, not acknowledging backgrounds and yada yada

[@fsg6181]

Sea Em Just because Afro-Americans are that doesn’t mean every black person out there is.

[@fsg6181]

King Stan So black people wearing straight weaves isn’t. Stfu. Only Americans say this shit. The things you say aren’t even cultural appropriation, like dreads which have been used by multiple cultures for thousands of years.

[@miraemeronus1212]

@King Stan Get a life. Embarrassing yourself like this in social media lmao.

[@noone8130]

King Stan fuck off! People like you are why we are never gonna have world peace! Let people enjoy things!

[@sharonhaywood2818]

Honey I remember when you first came on I was a teenager and I was excited to see you,you and your hair was AMAZING!!! And I as a African American female apologize to you for anything that was said out of order to you. You were a plus to the show, and I am shocked to know that another African American said that to you because we know how it feels to have another race mistreat us, so my sister thank you for all you did to help keep the show interesting 😊 .Get it girl !!!! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

[@georgethomas6744]

Yes bigotry hurts in any way.

[@almcdaniel1035]

She was so consistent on the show.. Every week I would say , “There she is” and beautiful

[@hoemindyours6767]

Like they say black don’t crack asian don’t raisin

[@GuadalupeGuacamole]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BiancaCampuzano]

Let’s be honest people of any color don’t age✊🏼😎 Whites can stay mad

[@hectorvelez1546]

@zephyra dont ya mean...blackanese? seriously..is it blackanese or blasian?

[@hectorvelez1546]

@zephyra i used to hear that word in the movie before...i forgot what movie it is...but they used the word "blackanese" for no reason tbh.

[@hectorvelez1546]

​@zephyra i see....well thanks for the correction about how we address them tbh. since i have a friend who is blasian btw. and good lord she is pretty. mixed races are something else, like you mix pineapple and alcohol to make pina collada...i think?i dunno.

[@henrygarner4649]

Everybody loved "that Asian chick" on Soul Train! She was legit!

[@Ash_Queen16]

Narc 1820 What 😂

[@Ash_Queen16]

Narc 1820 I know that you’re saying but it doesn’t make sense in this context. You sound so bitter.

[@animallovercb6931]

@Narc 1820 You reachin'

[@eviegonz4055]

Narc 1820 I don’t think this has anything to do with self-hatred It sounds like you have a case of animosity. The world needs more love and more admiration for one another!

[@solarlola5953]

Narc 1820 omg !you have too much hate in you. Don’t assume that black people love everything that ain’t black. Let’s all love each other regardless...

[@lilelly0428]

I would always remember her long hair! She came and into our space, tore it up(in a good way), and she was respectful about it.

[@GiddyGoons]

She danced with so many legends. Amazing career. She should be so proud

[@blup1sx991]

She was in the "Superfreak" video by Rick James too.

[@erickacolden692]

Yes yes, that's right she was with Rick James rhan

[@ericlittle8849]

She was in the Mary Jane video also. She just has shorter hair.

[@jenniferboyce3863]

And Micheal Jackson video Beat It too

[@theninjacat7200]

yes! I remember Cheryl from the Superfreak video!

[@jenniferboyce3863]

And *No Parking on the dance Floor* by-Midnight Star video along w/Soul Train Dancer Denise Payne (in the red Hat)

[@shalenef.5143]

Everybody knew the "Asian girl" from soul train! She was there EVERY week.

[@perennialbeachcomber.7518]

EVERY week for 14 years! That's why she's iconic.

[@roscoep.coltraine6344]

I'm a hillbilly white boy we probably had HEE-HAW,HOWDY DUTY or the Grand Ole Opry on while Soul Train was on. Only way I even knew about Soul Train was from my older cousin would sit rite by the TV so she could change the channel to soul train as soon as a commercial would come on. I remembered her rite away I thought she was hot! Can't believe how little she changed if at all! She looks a year maybe 2yrs older from the last time I seen her! And me? I look a pretty rough 40 and I feel like 75 years older! Maybe I should have learned how to dance.

[@ReginaDillard]

@@roscoep.coltraine6344 I'm black and we watched Hee Haw. My dad was from Kentucky and loved Country and Bluegrass Music.

[@ReginaDillard]

Exactly! Her name was "the Asian girl"...lol

[@roscoep.coltraine6344]

@@ReginaDillard sorry your dad made ya's suffer through that!🤡 just kiddin! I love blue grass too probly my favorite genre of music. Your father obviously is a man of taste! God bless!

[@tashabseay2124]

Cheryl was definitely the most memorable Soul train dancer..She was fierce and sassy...Loved watching her back in the day..

[@tangela0725]

She sure was!!! and she could dance her ass off!!!

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

No she wasn't she wasn't Black that's what made her stand out. You all praise anything not Black 🙄🤡

[@radiantrenee406]

This lady is truly a legend...I literally grew up watching this lady dance on Soul Train. She's aged graciously. Thank you Ms. SONG🥰

[@janicesanders9981]

Cheryl was one of the best dances on Soul Train. It wasn't about color. It was about good dancing and having much fun. We loved her...and her hair was beautiful..she looks the same...

[@machtnichtsseimann]

There was a another woman of some Asian ethnicity that danced regularly in the 2000's. Do you know her name or who I'm talking about? She stood out, IMO.

[@saul9050]

@@machtnichtsseimann she was blk though and Asian

[@machtnichtsseimann]

@@saul9050 - I don't know if we are talking about the same woman. The one I saw looked thoroughly of Asian descent. I'm guessing a Filipina? Do you have the name of the woman you're thinking about?

[@saul9050]

@@machtnichtsseimann yes!!! You are correct!! I remember now there was an Asian sister that rocked it for a long time..

[@trishmarsh1968]

Amen! I wish there were Asian male dancers (or were there???)

[@janicesanders9981]

I watched Cheryl for years and she was an excellent dancer. She looks great and I'm happy that Soul Train opened many doors for her...

[@emaricarter4885]

True

[@trudesoto7807]

She was NOT an excellent dancer. This was Soul Train, come on. You know all she did was swish her long hair. Black men fixated on it and created a "thing" around that kind of hair. If she were an Asian MALE, dancing at that level -she wouldn't have been invited back. Good for her that she had fun, but NO DARK SKINNED black women with afro hair were ever spotlighted or advanced above the floor spots. And there were some sisters who could DANCE Dance.

[@RuRu-sw9zh]

@@trudesoto7807 stop attacking cheryl & get on the producer's then. " She was not an EXCELLENT dancer " my ass. stay pressed. You're discrediting everything this woman has done based on the the theory that black men loved her hair, so that's why she was there. Colorism exists yes, but I'm not bouta let you say that's the only reason why she made it. Cheryl did amazing. Leave sis alone. She worked for what she got, periodt.

[@trudesoto7807]

Everything you just said were just STATEMENTS- not facts. No one attacked Cheryl. Your just trying to frame me as a racist to cover over what I'm saying about black MALE colorism. You know Cheryl was not an EXCELLENT dancer. I didn't say she was a bad dancer, but you know THIS WAS SOUL TRAIN!! The dancing levels got much higher than what Cheryl did. When she wasn't doing short, simple choreographed routines with her black male partners (the guy choreographed ) she swished her hair and did the same high kick. It was like disco belly dancing. Cute. Buthe not enough to justify being the #1 spotlighted FEMALE dancer for 15 YEARS! You know that. *((And could you explain what you mean by "all her hard work"....and "all she has done". You talk like she walked 20 miles a day, backward to the Soul Train Studio and faced water cannons and police dogs to dance. She was brought in and IMMEDIATELY elevated. And Soul Train did the similar for all the other light skinned girls with long hair. After 1984, you could see the pattern was Dark Men &Light Women dominating. But.....you're a black guy, so you will never acknowledge colorism -except in THEORY))*

[@trudesoto7807]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnaXfaJqia6Wbrs Colorism- 5 min. Short on MTV

[@derekdbyrne7487]

As a teen in the 80s, I could picture only two Soul Train dancers. Rosie Perez, and Cheryl. They stood out more than anyone else. 😍

[@georgethomas6744]

I tend to agree with that.

[@ramblerchic8180]

This sister was adored on Soul Train. She had an elegant aura about her and as a viewer, I watched her every move from my living room in Chicago. Thanks for great memories!

[@t.thompson8985]

That hair was iconic.

[@leeleemee]

Yes it was!!!!!

[@DonnahhughesHughes]

YOU know Black people and long straight hair...

[@trudesoto7807]

@@DonnahhughesHughes - NOT black people. Black men.

[@trudesoto7807]

Iconic to WHO? I never tuned in to a black show to see long straight hair. No black woman did. Good for Cheryl that she got a career in Black culture for having Asian hair, but bad for black people.

[@t.thompson8985]

@@trudesoto7807 the fact that she even had a following and this video made about her proves my point. If you don't understand that, I can't help you.

[@DavidRichardson95]

Cheryl Song is an OG. And she _still_ looks good!!!

[@charlottecarlos6296]

She may be am OG but these people they are profiling are not original Soul Train dancer. These are the dancers that appeared as the show took a downward,sleazy turn. It's sad they are not profiling the better and original dancers.

[@1handsmoke565]

David Richardson Man I remember as a child while she was dancing on Soul Train one Saturday night. I was literally trying to look under her dress through the tv. My dad said “ Boy what are you doing?🥴

[@danesalanoa5628]

1HAND SMOKE 😂😂😂i could imagine that hahah thats funny

[@michellehubbard8865]

David Richardson She looks great. 👍🏿

[@mydildo7284]

Charlotte carlos all I’m hearing is bitter bitch talk

[@shelola2747]

Ok, Cheryl was iconic on Soul Train! She deserves more than 5 minutes!!!!

[@emmanuellalangley4471]

I remember her being fierce! Glad she was included in this opportunity.

[@skyandropoulos2305]

She forgot to mention she was in the Rick James "Superfreak" video.

[@carlbenson6412]

lol...maybe she didn't want to mention that she was in that video.

[@percysmith954]

@@carlbenson6412 True Dat! Carl

[@antoniolaureano7148]

Also in Michael Jackson's beat it

[@msbeautyboss3784]

Maybe she did say it but it got edited out at the last minute.

[@skyandropoulos2305]

@@antoniolaureano7148 she said that.

[@latishamitchell52]

She seems like a very sweet woman

[@trudesoto7807]

She probably is. Glad she was on. But it was wrong of black men controlling Soul Train to make her the #1 FEMALE dancer! Her looks and dancing were only. ....ok. She was elevated for being the hot Asian chick with the long hair. Soul Train was notorious for casting women by color and hair length. And everybody knew it. Sad and sick when the show was created to show the world that Black Is Beautiful.

[@user-fi5gm2wj9r]

Latisha Mitchell she is amazing

[@easalarms]

Tru DeSoto she just said “She is amazing” calm tf down. Jdsjjd

[@trudesoto7807]

@@easalarms - yea.....yea. thanks for that Dogie. Yep. That's what my posts were all about. One youtuber calling Cheryl "amazing". (Thanks for keeping up with the subject #sarcasm)

[@easalarms]

Tru DeSoto Well you responded to that person and assumed her whole life story simply for leaving a comment lmao

[@sonyasspot355]

I was a kid when I start watching Soul Train in the 70s, and I did see that Asian girl dancing. I saw she was different, not black, but when I saw that she knew how to dance, I told my sisters and brother to watch you dance, every since our eyes was glued to Soul Train from then on. Thank you 🙏🏽 for giving me a wonderful childhood of entertainment.

[@Laura22_new]

Cheryl is so the epitome of the glamour of those times! Congratulations on your success, Cheryl.

[@amarra7218]

I remember seeing her and being so obsessed with her hair.

[@daradiant1]

Yes Lord! There was another one up there with long hair too.

[@ettal5woman]

Amarra I also remember her; or maybe someone else with super long hair. It was fascinating. I loved Soul Train dancing!

[@morfeophantasm7435]

@@ettal5woman I remember 2 girls with super long hair too . This asian girl and I thought another asian . I always thought they was gorgeous with that hair .

[@Blondie35]

I was also obsessed with her and her hair too. I would faithfully watch it every week to see her and her beautiful hair.

[@montariomcarthur7842]

Obsessed with HER .period

[@warreng5394]

Cheryl, you're a huge part of Soul Train's history. Thank you!

[@charlesdotson4766]

Yes, she is! Seeing her brings back so many great memories from my young childhood and teenage years.

[@charlotteziggy8353]

Yeah, the worst part.

[@cheybae4596]

@@charlotteziggy8353 yet you watched a video based solely on her, byeeee👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽

[@robertboone7860]

@@charlotteziggy8353 bigot

[@elenawalker9870]

That's a lie!

[@jamiecurran3544]

Most of these female dancers off soultrain still look very attractive all these years later!🥰💜✌️

[@christinamitchell6796]

I always looked for her every Saturday I tuned in. She was a fantastic dancer, and one I would try to immulate as a little girl, and it's not that she was doing a bunch of complicated things she just knew what looked good. I looked at her as family she blended so well with everyone else and it's nice to know she is such a nice person and she humbly respects our culture. I remember her being in "beat it" and "super freak". Much respect to her for not letting opposition get in her way.

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

She was up there with the greats!

[@nehsangbong7259]

She's got soul regardless of her ethnicity. I like seeing her dance moves.

[@cedriclashar8905]

I loved her lol....in the 80s she was the reason I watched it during that time 😁

[@crazydaysful]

No, Cheryl Song could not dance well and she had little soul in her dancing - she was just an Asian on the show.

[@spicyhot2552]

Cheryl could NOT dance but she could move ..she was just that popular Asian woman with the long hair.. ROSIE PEREZ and Monique Chambers are the ones who could dance..

[@knaziringram4589]

Neh-Bih Sangbong 1000% agreement. You either have soul or you don't. Whoever wrote the caption...don't!

[@hallierivers957]

She only got attention for having hair that stops at her knee caps. That's it !!!!

[@misstee101]

Before Rosie Perez, there was Cheryl Song.

[@TimothyAlexzander]

😂😂😂

[@rahnyc4]

rosie perez calls herself a afro latina.

[@jaebwoy9092]

Dont you dare do that

[@tienaellison4729]

Yes! We love Cheryl

[@deepstate3358]

@@rahnyc4 rosie Perez never called herself an afro Latina in the 80's because that term didn't exist!!!!!

[@CucufahKoKo4593]

I remember watching Cheryl dance on Soul train. I was just a kid but she had an unforgettable way about her. Many years later, I saw her on a TV show... I recognized her immediately! Like finding a long lost relative, I was so HAPPY to see her.

[@MasterPsychic]

I can't think of SoulTrain and not think of her, she is iconic, this was wonderful to see and to see she is still doing well. Great childhood memories indeed.

[@lissettelissettegabriel7280]

I’m sure she had a lot of haters but she kept going on top

[@thee_morpheus]

Mainly the chics, guys was feelin her I bet

[@fastfurious6718]

Yeah, sad the haters are black.

[@TeeRose]

Fast Furious how are the haters black. When they are the reason she got on the show

[@sourpuss5951]

@@TeeRose Did you not watch the video? Not everyone on the show was on board with her being there. Hell, I've already seen comments of black people hating on her.

[@shellyeparker6322]

Hating what? She was tired and lame as hell. I'm sure she made herself available to even have the opportunity. Please waste of time.

[@kidcat3000]

Lol i like how when she said “flipping through the channels on TV” she turned the knob instead of using a remote.

[@redrum4139]

Man I miss those days lol

[@MRSZ5440]

Yea!! that's funny :))

[@mianrowan]

When they used to say don't touch that dial before a commercial lol

[@luckyshow98]

Oh wow I thought she was gesturing turning the tv on 😂 that must of been a pain though, getting up all the time.

[@linusthexy6245]

@@luckyshow98 You have no idea..flipping through channels 2-13 on vhf. And don't let the knob break, then you gotta use pliers...LOL

[@monicaorbegoso2534]

Cheryl was amazing on Soul Train ! I grew up in the 70’s and Soul Train was a mainstay in our home ! My mom is Korean and my dad is Black ! I didn’t see color … I just saw someone who was having a lot of fun and had plenty of Seoul 😂❤❤

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

😂❤😂❤😂

[@georgethomas6744]

Good pun ha ha!

[@aconater]

Cheryl Song did her thing I for one loved her and glad she was a groundbreaker!!❤

[@thebeatnumber]

"High yellow" takes on a whole new meaning when applied to Asians, lol😂😂😂

[@superkoolnar]

thebeatnumber I’ve honestly never heard of this. What does it mean I get our skin color but is there anything else I’m missing ?

[@Neellohit]

superkoolnar high yellow means a light-skinned black person.

[@thebeatnumber]

@@superkoolnar Light skinned African Americans used to be called "high yellows" in the past.

[@wellbeing9]

@@superkoolnar I don't think she realises she was mistaken for a lightskinned black woman.

[@graysroksan]

thebeatnumber I straight up accidentally had my coffee go up my nose when I heard that 😂😂😂😂 I’m sorry for laughing but it took on a whole new meaning when she was called that because I think the person thought she was a mixed race and didn’t realize she was Asian which made it so much funnier

[@jaiyamarley6801]

I never tripped off her being a Asian girl...i just knew her as the girl with the long hair that could dance.......

[@nishies]

As a kid i never knew she was Asian but i was always intrigued with her long hair and speaking of long hair, there was a Latina girl with long hair as well i wonder what she up to whats going on with her

[@josephchampjr.3256]

Cheryl Song is still my favorite 😍 first non-black 💃🏿 to be the Asian lady with the longest hair ever. She’s still my favorite 😍 kind of lady on Soul Train 🚂.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🌈🏳️‍🌈😍🥰😎😘🤩😇🥳

[@michaeljohnston4621]

Just people dancing and enjoying theirself that's what I saw

[@stacylynn9028]

Same

[@MrBlackBono]

Me either I just know her for her long hair and not only that I never go oh an asian chick I just see cheryl blended very well with everyone on soultrain

[@rueben44]

Yes! This is my childhood. I remember her and everyone talking about her. I love that these individuals get to finally share their experiences with us.

[@blaklena]

She is so simple and humble 🥰

[@sailorpluto9914]

I remember her , The lady with the long hair. With the dance moves. She looks amazing. 😄 one of my favorite dancers.

[@bequiet4636]

Lesley Mingo that’s exactly how I remember her!

[@nicolebrown1927]

She's one of mine too.

[@neil2661]

Mine too, always enjoyed her, and all the other Soul Train dancers, grew up on Soul Train, best show on TV on Saturday afternoons!...

[@lhuntley4577]

Whenever I would watch, I would look for her!

[@uptownnayrob]

She was one of my faves 😍😍😍😍

[@laminage]

She was amazing. In China they broadcast Old School Episodes that have Close Captioned.

[@kittyvaughn76]

She was also my favorite...I loved her hair!

[@thatonegirlelaine]

me too

[@Darkseid300]

Me too

[@charlottecarlos6296]

@@kittyvaughn76 That's why black people liked her! Pitiful.

[@AfrinetNYC]

Cheryl was the most memorable dancer on Soul Train to me and was my favorite. I looked forward to seeing her every Saturday. Happy to see this segment about her.

[@CarlyzClozet]

I loved her on Soul Train. Never knew her name. Thanks for all the great years, Cheryl!!! ❤️

[@moniquedavis2723]

That's okay Cheryl, you worked it out girl and became the most popular dancer in the show's history.

[@winniejohnson5559]

She was popular and a good dancer but there were many others. She stood out because she was different and of course the long hair. I sure hope that wasn’t the only reason because it can send the wrong message. So many talented and pretty black woman on that show. I hope they didn’t get passed on because her look was viewed as better. Jody Watly was and is beautiful. I liked the Chinese girl as we called her back in the day. Lots and lots of talent on that show. I hope others had success as well.

[@wiseonwords]

@Monique Davis - She was NOT the most popular dancer in Soul Train's history! Nonsense! She wasn't even close. Damita Jo Freeman, Cookie Morris, Sharron Hill, Tracey, Linda Howard, Jody Watley, and Pat 'Butterfly' Davis were all far better dancers and far more popular.

[@moniquedavis2723]

@@wiseonwords okay sweetie

[@Kinobambino]

@@moniquedavis2723 You got Her heated

[@48mavemiss2]

@@wiseonwords why you so mad? It’s just an opinion not necessarily fact. Maybe to her she was the most popular. Not like there is a survey.

[@db60615]

When you have a warm loving personality, you'll stay young forever. She is living proof! She looks amazing.

[@DJObiSmalls]

Her part in Beat It was ICONIC!

[@1bush053]

I loved Soul Train and Cheryl Song was trailblazer and the entire show was just so much fun and I used to tune in all the times to watch it. They need to bring the show back in 2022.

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

Yes! ❤

[@Abmb88]

When she said flipping through the channels and she acted like she was using a knob instead of a remote 🤣🤣🤣🤣 she made sure she was relevant with the time 🤣🤣💀💀💀

[@rosysingh6699]

What a sweet observation ☺

[@BreaMason]

She was watching tv in the 70s

[@rodneyeldorado6116]

Oh man. Real talk.

[@intellectualesemv]

Yeah, being older, we let our old 70s & 80s TVs die out & didn't get a TV with a remote until the late 80s/early 90s

[@batteriesnotincluded4715]

Is flipping. With a knob. Channel by channel. Round & round. My momma used to call me aaalll the way n2 her room to change HER channel. I was mad as hell...Good times!🤗

[@laurencannon8218]

Why do people give thumbs down🤷🏽‍♀️ I will never know. This video was so sweet and concise. I like content like this

[@blaqkatt5806]

Lauren Cannon Just to be assholes.

[@hectornegron9155]

Lauren Cannon...1:26.

[@trudesoto7807]

No. Blaq- The thumbs down are an acknowledgement that Soul Train was notorious for elevating women with light skin and long hair. Cheryl should have been allowed on, but she did not have the looks or dancing ability to be made the #1 FEMALE dancer for 15 years on a program black men said they created to show that black people had style, music, and culture.

[@culturezoneculturezone9071]

@@trudesoto7807 you type of black are the equivalent of white supremacist and brainwashed colorist...Smdh

[@trudesoto7807]

Yeah. Sure. I tell the truth about BLACK MALES being racist and having a fixation on light skin and straight haired women. ......and that makes me racist. ((why do you black males think that everytime you do something wrong, you can get away with it by calling someone racist? That's getting old, you know? Everyone knows that game.))

[@markjohnson9485]

She is definitely one of the most recognized and memorable dancers from that era. Great interview

[@mnm-ds6jb]

Cheryl was my favorite dancer on the show 😍

[@lisahobbs2312]

Cheryl was one of my Favorites, I always thought she was half black LOL!

[@judygilbert6919]

I know, right?!

[@LynRuiz]

Lisa Hobbs same here! I’m part Asian and I just assumed she was mixed! She fit right in on the show.

[@specialk8927]

I knew she was Chinese

[@itshoneychilee]

Special K Song is a Korean last name if I’m not mistaken but it could be Chinese too. I can’t find her ethnicity online but she’s still fire

[@upat65]

I couldn’t tell what ethnicity she was. I first assumed she was Hispanic or of mixed heritage. Later on I read she was Asian but she never said exactly from where? In the end it really shouldn’t matter. She’s an American icon and she broke barriers. Of that everyone should be proud.

[@aprilmay1061]

She was an icon of the show. I remember the "In Living Color" show doing a comic skit called "Senior Soul Train" and had an asian woman with long grey hair dancing with a walker. 😆😆 The first words out me and my sisters mouths were "The asian lady" and we laughed so hard.

[@katscuriosities358]

Man I miss that show! A lot of greats came out of that show! :)

[@rubenperez7310]

i laughed so hard as well lol

[@billyrayvalentinecapricorn]

Yep, "Old Train"..

[@christinamitchell6796]

Yeah it was called "old train" I loved that especially Damon making fun of the song "she drives me crazy" by fine young cannibals.

[@queenreg7]

Oh i remember that episode! 😂

[@aarcher1997]

😍One of the best dancers with beautiful dance moves and hair styles on the show💯💃🏾🤩

[@starbars96]

Wasn't alive or thought of during the time period, but growing up when I found reruns on TV, they always looked like they were having fun.

[@saleemahfareed4790]

Cheryl would be perfect for dancing with the Stars judge

[@ericapalmoremoon]

She sure would!

[@jo_verabradleyfan4743]

Yes!

[@kbtube8125]

she would have to wear a mask.

[@wnordelus]

I like her, she seems humble and sweet.

[@brianscott1092]

I remembered Cheryl on Soul Train, always looking for her on the dance floor. She had that beautiful long cold black hair, and an amazing shape to me. I truly couldn't get enough of watching Soul Train. That was the highlight on Saturday mornings for me and my dad.

[@humbleone4800]

Cheryl's piece should've been longer, she's a Soul Train Icon!

[@debracox507]

I used to love when she wore her hair crinkled I had it made up in my mind that she was mixed .

[@tierramaralatimore6540]

I think that's why she did it

[@Jobe-13]

Debra Cox Same

[@troyellis6211]

Cheryl Song's IMPACT on the Soul Train audience made it even more iconic . WOW, how amazing that show was . The Soul Train line was a fixture in many parties for YEARS !

[@charlottecarlos6296]

That's total bullshit. How can an Asian woman ,who could barely dance make an AFRICAN American show more iconic? I bet you are a big Kardashian fan. Black folks will praise and settle for anyone as long as they are not black.

[@LUX_8]

I wouldn't go that far. She stood out because of her hair and ethnicity. Do better, sir. 😒

[@LUX_8]

@@charlottecarlos6296 There's some truth to which you speak. But Black Folks aren't the only ones guilty of this.

[@Foreveralonecuuuh]

What Impact? 😒

[@tancymilligan]

Honestly she added flavor to the show I liked her I used to watch the show religiously.

[@tracyscott2887]

We would watch Soul Train every sat non stop.. and we always looked for Cheryl! WE WERE YOUR BIGGEST FANS!! We love you!!

[@receptionholmes9318]

She passed the vibe check. Her pass is valid for life!

[@yeahisaidit5633]

The only queen of Asian soul!😁

[@Unknownuserr_]

She's pretty♡

[@25447carepear]

Soul or Seoul?

[@davep1103]

SAY THAT !

[@SmartBrandon72]

DAMN RIGHT!

[@charlesdotson4766]

Yes, thats a great way to describe her!

[@babamarq]

Cheryl was a soul train icon. We loved to see what she was wearing each week and that long hair was a thing dreams are made for. IDK she was Asian. Just knew she was one of the best dancers on the show. Thank you for this interview. Also she still looks AMAZING!

[@queenreg7]

I think I assumed she was at least part Black, if I even thought about it at all.

[@ericathewwfwcwdivastraight8906]

Like fine wine 🍷

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

I kind of assumed she was mixed!

[@missycruz9246]

She was my fav! I always looked for her when I watched Soul Train. She could dance her ass off! I miss Soul Train. Watched it every Saturday

[@timothyduncan4764]

I kind of got a little choked up and teary eyed because I remember my family on Saturdays and we were all together in the same house watching Soul train. I remember you being on the show dancing and everything was just so fun back then thanks for your contribution to Soul Train you were lovely. 😊

[@Augustchica814]

My mom meet her back in the 80s she and said that Cheryl was soooo sweet to her and her friend.

[@charlesscott27]

She was a baddie like every other chic on that show.

[@SunnyIlha]

She was. Had all da moves.

[@howarddavid31]

There was another Asian dancer that was a baddie too. Can’t remember her name but she was crazy beautiful

[@ileneclayton8015]

I loved watching Soul Train as a young girl and always remember her… she was totally amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@hamilcross]

she’s iconic! the hair and the moves… you couldn’t tell that girl anything in her prime. hell she’s still gorgeous. i love all the soul train dancers. you can tell they were having the time of their lives.

[@tmonroe3807]

Well it was Soul train not Black train lol. She had soul we all loved her! She stilll looks great!!

[@SunnyIlha]

Amen Yu had to be able to move yo body, like, dayum!, To be on dat show

[@morfeophantasm7435]

Tamara Monroe Dammitt girl ya heard me !

[@umarbentley4953]

In the early 80s white people were sprouting up dancing on Soul Train bit by bit,hey as long as you had the look and the moves.

[@umarbentley4953]

@@MitchMitch77-77 Rosie is a black latina,she nowhere hardly looks white.

[@tmonroe3807]

@Kano Billz For sure but doesnt mean no one else can have some in them.

[@charliec7853]

😍 As an asian girl who also love Soul train and fan of so many talented black musicians, Makes ME FEEL SO HAPPY hearing her story

[@avrandlane2735]

she has more soul then any of them, most of them forgot what soul even meant.

[@blessuzo]

Avrand lane ...lmaooo you’re definitely tripping!

[@gab-iu9xq]

@@blessuzo you would understand what it meant if you just thought about it

[@gab-iu9xq]

@Amber Mouzone ok YOU dont think so that person does

[@pierre459]

Wow! I remember watching her on Soul Train as a kid. Still looking good, Cheryl!!

[@cookiewoo9693]

CHERYL🌷 .you made your mark girl....Everyone remembers you...and you did your thang girl🫶🏾

[@jacluv7862]

Totally one of my favs!!!!! I'm 40 & remember her in the 80's & 90's.

[@timothymoore6341]

I'm 43 and I remember her too! I always remembered that long, pretty hair!

[@ronaldpowell8009]

@@timothymoore6341 I'm 43 also. I was going to make that same statement you've just made lol. She was the one of the main reasons why I watch soul train.

[@sandraatkins2539]

Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson: What a winning hand!!!🥰

[@rockirichardson7583]

Truly one of the most memorable dancers with all that hair! Beautiful and talented...😍

[@christiantreid]

im 18 and i remember growing up watching old re runs of the show they used to play on BET. seeing all these dancers come back and recall their stories is so special.

[@phinebrowngirl5467]

Babe we loved you, and that HAIR was everything!!!

[@rickyparker3853]

I'm a white dude age 53 now and I watched Soul train ALL the time when I was a kid. I also watched American Bandstand and Solid Gold and Dance Fever LOL. I just liked ALL kinds of music and loved watching people dance and sing.

[@donotneed2250]

I'm 65 and started life out as an Army brat and got to know all kinds of people. Spent almost 30 years as an over-the-road driver and some drivers I ran across couldn't understand how I could just talk to anyone.

[@youngmindedman]

me too; I really Loved Soul train. I'm an old white dude of 82.

[@misstantrix]

Grew up on all those gems!

[@WakandaBabe]

I loved American Bandstand!

[@artemisnectar7]

Ricky🙏🏽🙋🏽‍♀️🥰, Dance Fever..Denny Terrio💯💯💯 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽, good memories🥳

[@abbakaastralboobaby]

She is one of the most iconic Soul Train Dancers. The irony that an Asian woman would make that prestigious list but when you got 'IT', you ARE IT!