Velvet Celebrity Digest

Fresh star stories with a cool online feel.

The trailer for "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies" is a whirlwind, deftly introducing us to the colorful cast of characters populating the prequel series. In keeping with more modern sensibilities, the foursome finds each other because they're all having trouble fitting in, whether it's because of race, sexual orientation, or just plain sexism. Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso, and Tricia Fukuhara don the iconic pink jackets as a way to fight back against societal norms.

As the trailer confirms, the Pink Lady pledge is to look, act, and be cool at all times. Their antagonists, naturally, are mostly men (and some judgmental cheerleaders). Aside from one young woman being laughed out of the auto shop when she suggests joining the T-Birds, there's offensive commentary from the jocks as another member strolls by at lunch, and a cruel rumor that finds a third Pink Lady making it clear that her paramour may think it's no big deal but for her, it is.

Naturally, we also get glimpses of some huge musical numbers, which make Rydell High a set-piece in itself — much like in the original movies. On this evidence, there's plenty to be excited about when the show debuts.