RAVEN REVISITED
Disney Channel returns to character as an adult with two young children
Strutting onto The Cosby Show in the ’80s with more sass than any three-year-old has a right to have, Raven-Symoné was a child star to be reckoned with. Fast-forward a couple decades, and she was starring on That’s So Raven, the hit Disney Channel kids’ series that aired from 2003 to 2007.
Now, after a three-season stint as a co-host on The View, it’s her who’s playing the parent on the second spinoff of That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, which airs Fridays on Disney Channel.
Her grown-up character, Raven Baxter, is divorced and raising preteen twins while living with her childhood best friend Chelsea Daniels (Anneliese van der Pol) and her son. Kid-friendly shenanigans abound, with Raven still drawing on her psychic abilities and sheer pluck to navigate life. Raven-Symoné spoke about revisiting Raven Baxter, the value of girl power and what she’s learned from verbally sparring with her co-hosts on The View.
Q Raven and Chelsea’s relationship sends a powerful message about female friendship. Was that a conscious decision?
A I love the fact that Raven and Chelsea are still best friends and they’re raising their kids together, because there is this stereotype of women not being able to come together, which is just ridiculous. We all have our moments that are hard, and not everyone’s going to agree on certain things, but it’s how you make up after you disagree that constitutes how long you can be friends.
Q What did you learn from being on The View, and getting into some heated debates?
A I learned that not everyone is going to agree, and that’s OK. Walking into The View, I was like, “This is what I believe and I’m going to stay strong in it.” And then following Twitter and Instagram, and being on the set with so many different opinions, I definitely learned to keep my mind open, keep my ears open. Stay true to who I am, but just respect others as much as possible, regardless of whether I agree or not. I think we get caught up in the subtext of “I’m right, I’m right, I’m right.” We’re all here, just trying to make the best of it as we can.
Q Being a child star yourself, do you feel a kinship to kids on Raven’s Home?
A Every day I try to teach them something that I’ve learned. This industry can be very difficult, especially for children. It’s always said, ‘Oh they’re kids, they’re immune to the industry.’ But I try to tell them all the time, ‘This is a job. Take your breaks, take your time to yourself because I don’t want you burned out.’
Q How do you look back on The Cosby Show now?
A If it wasn’t for The Cosby Show, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have the information that I have to pass on to others. And I thank Mr. Cosby for allowing me to be a part of his show. I also thank Mark Curry for letting me be a part of his show (Hanging With Mr. Cooper). There are people over the years that believed in me and let me learn from them on set while entertaining people. This is a family industry, ultimately. As you go from set to set, you learn.