So, what’s been up with Cheryl Song? I know many of you are probably thinking to yourselves “Cheryl WHO?”…but no worries, just think back to the days of watching Soul Train and seeing the Asian lady with the long hair, twirling and kicking across the dance floor…that light bulb will instantly go off in your mind.

Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s take a look at where Cheryl has been all of these years. After her 14-year run on Soul Train from 1976-1990, it just seemed as if she fell off of the face of the earth. We were curious, so we did a lil’ digging and here’s  what we found.

Cheryl did an interview with SoulTrain years ago, where she talked about the racism she experienced on the show, her career afterwards, and a few other things we found to be interesting. Below are a few excerpts from her Soul Train interview…

 

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What Cheryl Song Does For A Living

Cheryl Song: I work for the Federal Air Marshall Service at Los Angeles International Airport.

Cheryl On How She Ended Up Being On A Mostly African American TV Show

Cheryl: I went to a predominantly Black high school, Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. A lot of my friends in school were on Soul Train, such as Jeffrey Daniels and Jody Watley, so I was brought onto the show as a dare. It was like, “let’s see what the reaction will be when she comes onto the show.”

On The Racism She Experienced On Set

Cheryl: The first time [on Soul Train] was scary. A lot of the Black dancers did not like the idea that a non-black person was dancing on the show. I remember I was placed on the risers and some of the dancers were jealous and I remember I was placed on the risers and some of the dancers were jealous and I thought they were going to jump me. I was called a high yellow b*tch and others.

 

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ST: Did that initial reaction make you [leery] of going back to the show?

Cheryl: Well, I was still afraid, but I kept coming back. The production crew and staff really liked me.

On Her Working Relationship With Don Cornelius

Cheryl: I worked for Don for a while after I danced on the show. He had opened up a dance studio in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard and I was one of the dance instructors. Later on I worked in the production office for Soul Train. Although I had a close relationship with Don, it was strictly business.

ST: Did you ever do the Soul Train Scramble Board?

Cheryl Song: Yes, I did! I won Afro Sheen products but I couldn’t use them. (Laughs)

Her Parents Did Not Want Her To Dance On “Soul Train”

Cheryl: It caused a lot of conflict with my parents.They wanted me to study math or science or some related field. But I wanted to study dance and I did.

Why She Left “Soul Train”

Cheryl: My partner at the time, Myron Montgomery, wanted to leave. I really didn’t want to, but I soon realized I couldn’t stay on the show forever, so I left.

Cheryl Song definitely stood out on Soul Train as being one of the most memorable dancers on the show, not only for her dancing skills, but because she represented a minority on a TV show where Black people were the majority. It’s good to see that she’s doing well in life and you never know, maybe we’ll see her on another cruise soon. Thanks for reading ILOSM family and in the words of the late, great Don Cornelius: “We wish you love, peace and SOUL!!!” (Okay that was a little corny, but I couldn’t resist…don’t judge me).

The post The Long-Haired Asian Dancer From “Soul Train” Shares What She Endured Behind The Scenes appeared first on I Love Old School Music.