Raven-Symoné wasn’t too keen on producers at the Disney Channel suggesting that her character on “Raven’s Home” be part of the LGBTQ community.
The former child star, 36 — who identifies as nonbinary and married Miranda Maday in 2020 — has starred in the “That’s So Raven” spinoff since 2017.
Raven-Symoné was interviewed by Them earlier this month when she admitted that she wanted to keep her real persona separate from her Raven Baxter one.
“I think Disney wanted her to be queer in the beginning, and I just didn’t feel comfortable doing that,” she noted.
“They were like, ‘Do you want Raven to be gay?’ I said, ‘Why?’ [And they said,] ‘Because you are.’ I said, ‘Bad, bad reason. That’s a bad reason,’ ” the “Princess Diaries 2” actress continued.
“No, Raven Baxter never exhibited any type of sexual identity situation in the priors,” she added. “I’m not being myself on this show; I’m being a character.”
Raven-Symoné shot to fame in the 2003 Disney Channel series “That’s So Raven,” playing the wacky titular character who gets into weird situations and who can see visions of the future.
The singer appeared on the hit Disney Channel sitcom “That’s So Raven” from 2003 to 2007.Disney EnterprisesWhile the sitcom ended in 2007, a sequel premiered 10 years later and is currently in its fifth season.
“Raven’s Home” follows Raven Baxter as she raises her two children after her divorce, alongside her best friend, Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol).
“Raven Baxter’s not gay. No matter what the first four seasons looked like, with me and Chelsea sleeping in the same room and us raising a family together,” the former “The View” co-host continued. “OK, that’s not the case. We are friends. Who sleep in the same room.”
She also pointed out how she didn’t believe that Raven Baxter should be dating in the spinoff.
Raven-Symoné married social media manager Miranda Maday in 2020.Getty Images for Invisible Narra“It’s so funny because we’re working on the sixth season now, and I’m talking to the EPs and they’re like, ‘And you’re gonna start dating?’ ” she stated. “I’m like, ‘She don’t need to date either. She’s just gonna be nothing.’ “
The “This Is My Time” singer previously revealed back in 2017 how she was shocked to learn that Disney Channel wanted her back on the air despite her sexual orientation.
“I was surprised they chose me! I was like, ‘I came out, I said all kinds of stuff . . . Look at y’all!’ Thank you Disney for understanding I’m a human,” she told Hollywood Life five years ago.
“So, yeah, I was pleasantly surprised, but again, as we grow and as the network grows and as humanity grows, the kids are getting smarter and smarter! You can’t lie to them,” she said. “So, I give props to Disney for embracing who I am and who the kids are of today.”
