Culture & Entertainment
Back in July of 2017, the spin-off heard around the world hit our televisions in the name of the hit show Raven's Home. The show was a continuation of its original, That's So Raven, both starring the super-talented Raven-Symone. The show centers around Raven Baxter, who is now a divorced mother of two, who still catches glimpses of the future, but now she uses those powers to help her be a better mother, friend, and fashion designer. Her son has also inherited her psychic ability to look forward, causing mischief from time to time.
But as the saying goes, what happens on the show, stays on the show, and Raven means that literally.
While speaking to the Pride podcast, Raven revealed that Disney actually offered to make the spin-off character a lesbian to accommodate Raven-Symone, who is gay in real life.
"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. I said no."
But the reason goes deeper than you think:
"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 Raven Baxter is a character that I was proud to play, even if she is straight, cisgender — I don't mind — let her have her moment."
If you recall, Raven has quietly spoken about her sexuality in the past up until formally announcing she was gay. In fact, back in 2013, she praised the U.S. government after same-sex marriage was legalized, stating:
"I can finally get married. Yay government! So proud of you."
Three years later, she gave advice and support for LGBTQ+ youth in a It Got Better video.
"My awareness of my sexuality was prevalent to me at 12, but there was some things younger in like the… single digits."
But after years of enduring the industry and its viewpoints on out LGBTQ+ talent, Symoné is fully, and blissfully, living in her truth alongside her wife Miranda Maday. She even admitted that getting married during the height of the pandemic was the best thing she ever did.
"The Rona has put a dampener on everyone's life but, because of her, I was able to get married to the love of my life in so many ways. It helped me stop and see what was going on instead of always being pulled left and right, having to focus on everything but my happiness. I love her."
Raven secretly got married in 2020 in a small ceremony put together by their friends. Auntie Debbie Allen hosted the nuptials in her garden and even cooked for the guests (how cool!).
In the end, even though Raven is happily as gay as can be, when it comes to her work, she's protective of just that.
"If you ever see me in another character, you see Raven Baxter, and that's just what the deal is. And I think the one thing that differentiates me from her is now a lot more."
Which is exactly how she wants it.
Watch the full 'Turning The Tables' episode featuring Raven-Symone below:
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Featured image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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