Raven-Symoné talks self-discovery and acceptance in coming out
Ever since actress, singer, and talk show host Raven-Symoné came out as gay in 2013, she’s been on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
This is important to consider given that Raven had spent most of her life as a public figure hiding an important part of herself.
Raven-Symoné is still coming to terms
Recently, Raven talked with friend Garcelle Beauvais in a social media conversation about having reservations about playing the role of a lesbian in the film they worked together, A Girl Like Grace.
“I was scared. I was scared for my mom to see it. I was scared for my mom to see me kiss a girl on screen,” she admitted.
She added: “That was a lot of mixed emotions that I’m still ironing out. Nothing wrong with it, it’s just when I watch it, I see the clip where I’m shaking and it’s like my legs spread open. I’m like ‘Oh My gosh!'”
She further talked about the difficulties she had coming to terms with her sexuality when she was younger.
“It’s hard though. I remember my mom used to be like he’s so sexy, and I’m like, but she’s sexy too. Why don’t you say that?” she pointed out.
“Why am I the only one thinking that she’s sexy too? But, you’re only talking about him. Is something wrong with me?” she asked.
Growing up as Raven in the public eye
Raven– born Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman on December 10, 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia– first appeared on TV shows like The Cosby Show in 1989 and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper in 1993.
But even as an infant, she was already working for Atlanta’s Young Faces Inc. Modeling Agency and moved on to Ford Models in New York City at age two.
She started her singing career at the age of seven, when she signed with MCA Records, releasing a debut album in 1993.
But she caught the public’s attention as the teenager Raven Baxter on the Disney Channel television series That’s So Raven in 2003, which was their highest-rated and longest-running series at the time.
She went on to be in movies like The Little Rascals, Dr. Dolittle, The Princess Diaries 2 (where she sang with Julie Andrews), and a whole lot more.
She then joined the ABC daytime talk show The View in 2015, leaving the following year. However, she continued working on TV projects like Raven’s Home and her own music.
Raven-Symoné deals about her sexuality
Throughout her public life, she was always dealing with talks about her sexuality. But she first publicly addressed the rumors in 2012.
In a tweet, she said: “My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I’m dating to know. I’m not one for a public display of my life.”
However, she seemed to come out in 2013 after the Supreme Court came out with their landmark decision to legalize gay marriage when she tweeted: “I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you.”
Later on, she told Variety in 2019 that she came out to inspire her fans to feel comfortable in their own skin. She also said that it had been selfish for her to keep her story to herself.
She further said: “It is about that one person who you’ll never see or meet who watches the show and feels that confidence to just say, ‘Hey, guess what? I’m gay. And if you can’t accept me, it’s okay, because I see Raven pushing through.'”
“That feels good. It’s a hard journey, though. It’s difficult,” she said.