Anneliese Van Der Pol, who played Chelsea on Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven,” has revealed how Raven-Symoné was never actually intended to be the lead star of the show.
The actress says that the show was initially called “Absolutely Psychic,” and that Symone had been cast to play the sidekick, while Pol had been called in to audition for the lead role. “At the time, Raven wasn’t the lead,” she said on the “Vulnerable” podcast. “She was the sidekick. They were looking for a lead and I came in to audition for the lead.”
The lead role, however, ended up going to another actress, who was set to play a character named Molly. But when the show began taping, they realized that Symone’s acting and personality stood out from her co-stars and that she would undoubtedly make a better fit to play the lead.
“When they filmed, they realized Raven was the funniest one and had a following, and so they bumped her up to the first position.” When Symone became the star of the show, auditions were being held again to find a new sidekick, which is when Pol was hired.
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According to the 38-year-old, she thinks that producers didn’t make Symone the lead actress, to begin with, because they didn’t think a Black girl could be the star of a show. “I think that was kind of, like, racism at a low level — I guess if that’s even a possibility. They couldn’t really see a Black girl leading a show. They only saw her as a sidekick.” Funny enough, “That’s So Raven” became one of the biggest shows on the network, running for four seasons and creating two spinoffs, “Cory in the House” and “Raven’s Home.”
Raven-Symone’s character, Raven Baxter, was the heart and soul of That’s So Raven. She was a relatable and funny teenager who just happened to have psychic powers. Raven was a character that young girls could look up to and aspire to be like. She was confident, kind, and never afraid to be herself.
Raven’s impact on popular culture was enormous. She was a trailblazer for representation on television, as she was one of the first Black teenage girls to be the lead in a Disney Channel show. Raven’s character was also groundbreaking because she was a positive role model for young girls. She was confident and comfortable in her own skin, and she taught her viewers to be the same.
“That’s So Raven” was more than just a comedy show. It tackled important themes and messages that were relevant to its young audience. The show dealt with issues like racism, body image, and self-confidence in a way that was relatable and accessible to children.
One of the show’s recurring themes was the importance of being true to oneself. Raven was always true to herself, and she encouraged her friends to do the same. She showed her viewers that it’s okay to be different and that being yourself is the most important thing.
“That’s So Raven” also emphasized the importance of family and friends, and the show’s positive messages helped to shape the values of a generation.