Raven-Symoné explains why she didn't want 'Raven's Home' character to be lesbian

Raven-Symoné first captured hearts as a child star playing Olivia Kendall on A Different World and The Cosby Show, but she has maintained a stronghold on millions of people and their nostalgic musings for her portrayal of Raven Baxter (everyone's favorite psychic teen) on Disney Channel's That's So Raven from 2003-07.

The 35-year-old actress and singer-songwriter reprised the role for spin-off series Raven's Home, which premiered in 2017 and wrapped its fourth season earlier this year. (There is still no definitive news as to whether there will be a fifth season.)

Raven-Symoné, also known simply as Raven, appeared alongside her wife, Miranda Maday, on the Pride podcast and revealed that she was asked her preference on Raven Baxter's sexual orientation for Raven's Home. 

"There was a conversation before the series started, and I was asked the question, 'Would you like Raven Baxter to be a lesbian?' And I said no," she explained. "I said no, and the reason I said no wasn't because I wasn't proud of who I was or I didn't want to represent the LGBTQ+ community in any way. It was because Raven Baxter is Raven Baxter is Raven Baxter, and there was no reason for me to change the human that she was in order to fit the actress that played her."

Raven added: "And Raven Baxter is a character that I was proud to play, even if she is straight [and] cisgender. I don't mind! Let her have her moment! She was divorced, though, and I had no worries about saying, 'No boyfriends.'"

Earlier in the episode, Raven discussed her upbringing in the industry—specifically, at Disney—and how her "sexuality was not a factor of concern or conversation to anyone ... because I was always taught to keep my private life private and separate." 

She also lamented the discriminations and stereotypes she faced over her body type. ("Why don't you guys want a thick black girl?")

"I have two sides of the coin to where I'm really, really happy the world is changing, and yes, all of the torment that I went through in those times has strengthened me," Raven said. "And on the same coin but on the other side, I'm very pissed because that pain and suffering happened during a time in my life when I was very young and also at the top of my game."

"I had to smile in public but felt very sad and depressed and going through mental health issues behind the scenes, but also covering that up because that wasn't something that was talked about either!" the Cheetah Girls star and former The View co-host continued. "So, you know, yeah, I'm very jealous of all the people in the industry now that are able to just [say], 'I have depression and I'm bigger and I'm beautiful and I'm OK!' And I'm like, when was that—like, no one told me I could do that. That wasn't allowed when I was growing up."

Raven and Maday, who married in June 2020, are trying to make up for lost time and set the standard for widespread representation through their YouTube channel "8 PM."