Raven-Symoné Says 'That’s So Raven' Was Universal, Not Just Black

Raven-Symoné stated that 100% of the show's appeal came from its universal storylines, a claim she made while addressing the internet's reaction to a clip from April.

The controversy began when a video from an earlier episode of the Tea Time podcast resurfaced online. In that conversation, comedian Kalen Allen described the character Raven Baxter as "f, ing Black." He noted that seeing a Black family on Disney Channel was meaningful for viewers of color. Raven-Symoné asked why Allen associated the character so strongly with her race. She suggested removing color from the equation by asking what would happen if the characters were green. "Take away the color. Make them green, and hear the words. What color are they?" she asked in the clip.

The video circulated widely, leading many viewers to believe the actress was dismissing the cultural significance of the role. On the recent episode, she explained that her point was lost in translation. "You took a clip. You took a clip, and you grew it," she told her audience. She asked her former co-star Kyle Massey if he understood her intent. Massey said the general audience did not. "When bro was trying to tell you, like, 'Oh, you were the Blackest,' that was a compliment," Massey said. Raven-Symoné agreed, saying, "And I took it as a compliment." However, Massey noted that her initial response did not convey that appreciation clearly enough.

Raven-Symoné insisted she has never denied the racial identity of the Baxter family. "That’s So Raven was a Black family on Disney Channel, doing things," she said. She emphasized her history in the industry. "I stand on the pillar that I was the first Black female to have a show with her name in the title. I’ve said that my entire life. I didn’t say I was the first green female to have a name in the title," she added, referencing her hypothetical green scenario. She concluded that segment by saying, "I know that we were Black. I get it, you know what I mean?"

The actress explained that her original goal was to start a conversation about how a culturally specific series could resonate across boundaries. "I really did want to start a conversation of just that was a universal show. You had girls from every country watching a Black family, but they saw themselves in that family, which means we were universal," she said. Her wife, Miranda, supported this view by pointing to the show's physical comedy. "People saw you guys in physical, funny moments, and laughter transcends. We all get [it]," Miranda said. She added that body language helps the show connect with global audiences. Miranda ended with a joke, noting that the green people deserve representation too.

No new episodes of the show are currently scheduled, but the podcast Tea Time continues to air new conversations with celebrity guests.