Raven Symoné says she ‘believes in therapy’ after working on TV since childhood

American actress Raven Symoné, 36, recently spoke about the importance of therapy in her life, in an interview with People magazine’s TV show. “I’ve been protected my entire career because of what I was taught to do, the people around me and my childhood,” she said.

When asked why she became more outspoken after working in television from a young age, on the series “That’s So Raven” (Disney, 2003–2007), the actress replied, “I believe in therapy.” Furthermore, she also said that her wife Miranda Pearman-Maday and her current team help her break down barriers she created when she was young.

“My marrying Miranda helped a lot. The people who are now on my team have really established a foundation that makes me feel comfortable enough because I know someone supports me.”

She added that “in previous situations, I would say things and receive all kinds of things, but the people on my side were punishing me as much as everyone else, and I didn’t feel safe.” The Disney star even claimed that she has seen people in the industry “get kicked out” after publicly coming out of their sexuality.

For her, change came with a new generation that said, “We don’t care what people say.” In 2021, she revealed that she told Disney that she wanted her character in the “House of Raven” (2017) reboot to remain straight.

She revealed her decision to the Pride podcast, and stated that Disney had proposed that the character Raven Baxter come out as a lesbian in the new version of the series, so that the actress, who is a lesbian in real life, would feel more comfortable.

“There was a conversation before the series started, and I was asked, ‘Would you like Raven Baxter to be a lesbian?’ And I said no. I said no”, revealed Symoné. She stated that she is proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and that she continues to strive for representation.

The artist explained that she said no “because Raven Baxter is Raven Baxter. And it’s a character that I’ve been proud to play, even if she’s heterosexual, cis gender — I don’t care — let her have her moment.”

She even pointed out that adding a new subplot could be a problem in other works in her career. “If you’ve seen me in another character, you see Raven Baxter, and that’s exactly what’s happening,” she said. “And I think the only thing that sets me apart from her now is so much more.”

In the year 2020, the actress married Miranda Maday in an intimate ceremony that brought together only a few family members of the couple. The actress admitted to being homosexual on her Twitter profile in 2013. “Finally I can get married! Thanks government! Proud of you”, celebrated the former Disney star on the social network.

At the time, the commemoration referenced a US Supreme Court decision to strike down a law that restricted the rights of gay couples at the federal level. Fans and friends expressed support for the actress.