Raven-Symoné has come out in defense of Bill Cosby‘s professional legacy.
On the Hate to Break It to Ya podcast,” Symoné shared her thoughts on Cosby’s impact on the entertainment industry.
“Separate the creator from the creation. And that’s just where I live. The creation changed America. Changed television,”Symoné said. “He has been accused of some horrific things. That does not excuse, but that’s his personal [life]. So personally, keep that there, and then business-wise, know what he did there as well. Both can live.”
Raven explained that Cosby demanded Black representation on his classic NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984-’92). She starred on the show as Olivia for three seasons.
“Now it’s mandated but back then—especially on a Black show—it was very important to see yourself. Not just in front, but behind the camera as well. Mr. Cosby instilled that in all of us,”Symoné said.
“I took it to Disney and I took it to anywhere I went afterwards. Even when it wasn’t the norm,” addedSymoné. “I was like, ‘No, I have to be able to see myself.’ Because if I don’t ask for it, who will?”
Symoné established herself as a major star on the Disney Channel after launching her career on the Cosby Show. She starred as Raven Baxter on the hit series That’s So Raven (2003–2007). In this show, she was the first Black woman to have her name in a comedy series title. By the fourth season, she also became a producer at the age of 19.
Symoné also starred as Galleria “Bubbles” Garibaldi in the Disney Channel original movies The Cheetah Girls (2003) and The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006). She reprised her role in the spin-off series, Raven’s Home (2017–2023), where she also served as an executive producer. Symoné earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her performance.