While working on ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘That’s So Raven’ on Disney Channel, Raven-Symoné was routinely body shammed.
Growing up is hard enough on its own. But, when you’re Raven-Symoné and acting in front of millions of people and catching the attention of Hollywood, the pressure can be intense. When she was seven years old, Symoné starred on The Cosby Show and was told to do things most seven-year-olds would never be directed to do.The Cosby Show starred controversial actor Bill Cosby. As well as Keshia Knight Pulliam and Lisa Bonet. The ’80s sitcom “centers on the lives of the Huxtables: obstetrician Cliff and his lawyer wife Claire, their daughters Sondra, Denise, Vanessa, and Rudy, and son Theo. Based on the standup comedy of Bill Cosby, the show focused on his observations of family life. Although based on comedy, the series also addresses some more serious topics, such as learning disabilities and teen pregnancy.”Body positivity and embracing yourself are essential, and for Symoné, it didn’t come naturally, especially while working on The Cosby Show and then later with Disney Channel.
Who Was Raven-Symoné on The Cosby Show?
Symoné played the adorable Olivia Kendall. Her character was Denise Huxtable’s stepdaughter. Olivia is the only child of Martin and Paula Kendall. When her parents got a divorce, Martin got full custody. Then, Olivia’s father marries Denise Huxtable, and they move in with her parents, Claire and Cliff Huxtable, making them Olivia’s step-grandparents.
Symoné’s character was in 63 episodes from season six to season eight. Symoné was three years old when she first appeared on the show. But, when she was seven years old, Symoné was told something highly inappropriate to say to a child.
What Was Raven-Symoné Told When She Was Seven and on The Cosby Show?
When Symoné was on The View, she recalled being fat-shammed at only seven years old. While starring on The Cosby Show, Symoné would get reprimanded or told not to eat from the adults.
“I remember people would be like, ‘You can’t eat that. You’re getting fat!’” she says. But, at seven years old, Symoné didn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to eat when hungry.
“It was definitely hard,” she said. “I remember not being able to have the bagel or anything at—we would call it crafty, where it’s just a table of food, ready for you to eat whatever you want. And I remember people would be like, ‘You can’t eat that. You’re getting fat!’ I’m like, ‘I’m 7! I’m hungry!’”
Not wanting to divulge names of who was saying this to her at the mere age of seven, Symoné said, “I’m not going to put them on blast, but that’s what I was told at that young of an age.”
Raven-Symoné Had to Deal With Comments About Her Weight While on Disney Channel: Here’s How She Dealt With it
After The Cosby Show, Symoné went on to star in her own Disney Channel original That’s So Raven.
Recalling her weight while on the Disney show, Symoné said, “Even up until I got up to 180 lbs. on That’s So Raven, you put nasty stuff in front of me, or you put images of these women that I’ll never aspire to; of course, I’m going to get depressed.”
But, Symoné tries to remain positive while speaking about food and comments on how your genetics and DNA play a part in what you look like beyond what you put in your body.
“It’s more than just the food—it’s what’s in the food, and it’s your cortisol level, and it’s your serotonin level,” she continued. “That has a really strong effect on your body type.”
Symoné further stated while going on tour during her Disney days; she was told she was “too big” for an hour-and-a-half concert. Symoné recalls. “I was on tour forever because it’s not about your size; it’s about what you have to say if you can sing or dance and performing. It’s not about your size.”
But, with all the negativity about her body seemingly behind her, Symoné says it’s important to embrace your body and have individuality. The world is too big to have one sort of view to show beauty because then you are literally destroying society,” she says.
When speaking to People, Symoné says she wishes she had grown up in today’s world because she probably would have loved her body more and suffered from fewer mental illnesses.
But, Symoné can’t reiterate enough how important it is to love your body. “I love embracing your body,” she says.
“In this day and age, you have all kinds, and it’s funny, it’s serious, it’s every color, it’s every head shape, it’s every hair. And there’s androgyny, and there’s LGBT coming in, and it feels good. We didn’t have it enough last time, and I guess that’s what the past is for—to make sure the present is what it needs to be.”
