Raven Simone!
Raven Simone
|
|
Raven Simone Early life
Raven-Symoné, the daughter of Christopher B. Pearman and Lydia Gaulden, as an infant, worked for Atlanta's Young Faces Inc. Modeling Agency and was featured in local print advertisements. At age two, she worked with Ford Models in New York City and appeared in ads for Ritz crackers, Jell-O, Fisher-Price, and Cool Whip. At age three, she auditioned for the film Ghost Dad. She was considered too young for the role, but was recommended for a part in The Cosby Show and was eventually cast as Olivia in February 1989. The character was the three-year-old stepdaughter of Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet), the main character's daughter. Raven played the part until the series ended in 1992. In 1993, Raven joined the cast of ABC's sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper as Nicole, the cousin of Mark Curry's character Mark CooperRaven Simone Career
Raven Simone Acting
Raven went on to have roles in 1998's Dr. Dolittle and 1999's Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. In 2003, Raven began her role as a teenager with psychic powers in the list of Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven. It is Disney Channel's highest-rated and longest-running series and spawned successful product spinoffs, including soundtracks (featuring songs by Raven), episode DVDs, and video games. In 2005, the show was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Children's Program." In 2003, Raven was featured on The Cheetah Girls and its popular soundtrack.In 2003, Raven was scheduled to star in two films. The first was Sparkle, which was a remake of the 1976 film. Raven got the part after R&B-Pop songstress Aaliyah was tragically killed in a plane crash in 2001. The film was scheduled to be produced by Whitney Houston and Debra Martin Chase who produced The Cheetah Girls. The second film was titled All American Girl, based on the book written by Meg Cabot. Both films have now been canceled.
In 2004, Raven cut a six-figure deal with Disney for another series on ABC in Fall 2005. It was originally designed to be a college spinoff of That's So Raven called Raven Too!, following Raven and her friends in college. However, Raven eventually declined the role and the sitcom instead turned into another TSR spinoff for Disney, called Cory In The House.
Recently, she has starred in The Cheetah Girls 2, which was a sequel to the original Cheetah Girls film and become Disney Channel's most-viewed and highest-rated film to date before Jump In!. Raven was originally set to star in Jump In! as well, which was created to be a motion picture named Double Dutch, but which was later revamped into the present version known as Jump In!, minus Raven's presence.
Raven produced the fourth and final season of That's So Raven. She took on the role of Executive Producer for The Cheetah Girls 2. In the late 1990s, she co-owned RayBlaize Records with her father. However, they sold the company in the early 2000s.
On October 31, 2007, she made a guest appearance on the NBC hit show Phenomenon. Her last Disney Channel appearance was in the That's So Raven episode Cory in the House. On October 30, 1989 and February 12, 2008, Raven-Symoné appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the first time when Oprah interviewed the younger members of the cast of The Cosby Show, and most recently as part of a Cosby Show" Reunion.
In 2008, Cheetah Girls 3 began production but Raven did not return to reprise her role as lead singer Galleria, due to problems with her former Cheetah Girls while shooting Cheetah Girls 2. According to Symone in an interview not long after shooting for the movie wrapped, she said that "there were territorial issues and catfights", which also led to a strained friendship with the other girls.
Raven Simone Music
Raven-Symoné's debut album, Here's to New Dreams, was released on June 22, 1993. It spawned two commercially released singles: "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" and "Raven Is the Flavor". "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" was Raven's most successful single, reaching number sixty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100, forty-seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, forty-three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales, and thirty-nine on the Rhythmic Top 40. Her record company, MCA Records, however, shortened her contract as a result of poor sales.On May 5, 1999, Raven released her second album, Undeniable. "With a Child's Heart" was the only commercially released single from the album. With no promotion at all, the album was a financial failure, selling just 10,000 copies in the U.S. to date. In 2000, MCA Records, her label, dropped her from their roster. The Undeniable album was bought up by TMG Records, who re-issued the album in November 14, 2006 under the title From Then Until. Undeniable is the second studio album by American singer Raven-Symoné. Although her first album was full of kid-rap, she used this album to display her vocal ability while still holding true to her roots in rap. The album was released on May 4, 1999. The song "Pure Love" was written by first season American Idol contestant EJay Day, and the song "I Love You" was written by Stevie Wonder. The album features the single "With a Child's Heart".
Symone sang some songs on the That's So Raven soundtrack album to the Disney Channel original series of the same name. The album debuted and peaked at #44 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. She also sang some tracks on the That's So Raven Too! is the second soundtrack album from the hit Disney Channel original series, That's So Raven. The soundtrack debuted and peaked at #44, on the Billboard 200, selling 22,600 copies in its first week. Since then, the soundtrack has sold 200,000 copies (as of 2007). Symone then partcipated in two Cheetah Girls soundtracks for Disney.
In early 2003, she signed a deal with Hollywood Records.On September 21, 2004, she released her third album This Is My Time. The album spawned three singles, "Backflip", which received heavy rotation on both Disney Channel and MTV, "Bump", and "Grazing in the Grass". The album debuted and peaked at number fifty-one on the Billboard 200 selling 19,000 copies in its first week of release and becoming her most successful album yet. This Is My Time has sold 235,000 copies in the U.S. and 512,000 copies worldwide.
In 2006, Raven embarked on her first solo tour to promote the album. She was also featured in Belinda's music video for "Ni Freud ni tú mamá". According to Billboard magazine, she has worked with R&B singer Mario's production team, Knightwritaz, although the magazine failed to mention whether or not their collaboration would be included on Raven-Symoné's fourth studio album, whose title has not yet been announced.
Raven's fourth album was released on April 29, 2008. Raven-Symoné's new album Raven-Symoné, features production by Sean Garrett (Fergie, Beyoncé), The J.A.M. (Leona Lewis) , and The Clutch (Keri Hilson, Timbaland, Ciara). Listen to previews at amazon.com of the album. In November 2007, Hollywood Records released a statement that Raven-Symoné's new album could possibly be self-titled and that promotion for the album would start in January 2008, and be out by April, 2008.
On January 29, 2008, Raven's official site "Raven-Symone Presents" announced that on January 30, 2008, she would be shooting a video for her new single "Double Dutch Bus" which is to be featured in her new movie College Road Trip. 3 days later Hollywood Records released information stating her new album would also feature "In the Pictures".
In the March 2008, Raven told CosmoGirl magazine "The music has the same type of message as my last album-- it's very self-confident and respectful. But there's more R&B than last time. There's this one very snap-your-fingers, do-your-step hood anthem called "Girl, Get It." I've been Disney for so long, I didn't know if I could do this song." The producers were like, "But you're from Atlanta!"
Raven Simone Filmography
Raven Simone Films
Year Title Role Notes1994 The Little Rascals Stymie's girlfriend appearances
1998 Dr. Dolittle Charisse Dolittle Main Role
1999 Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century Nebula Wade made for television (Disney Channel)
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 Charisse Dolittle Main Role
2003 Kim Possible: A Stitch in Time Monique Voice
The Cheetah Girls Galleria "Bubbles" Garibaldi made for television (Disney Channel)
2004 Zenon: Z3 Nebula Wade made for television (Disney Channel)
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Princess Asana Starring as Raven.
Fat Albert Danielle Voice / Starring as Raven-Symone.
2005 Kim Possible: So the Drama Monique Voice
2006 For One Night Brianna McCallister made for television (Lifetime Movie)
Everyone's Hero Marti Brewster Voice
The Cheetah Girls 2 Galleria "Bubbles" Garibaldi made for television (Disney Channel)
2008 College Road Trip Melanie Porter Main Role / Starring as "Raven-Symoné"
Tinker Bell Iridessa Voice
Raven Simone Television
Year Title Role Notes1989-1992 The Cosby Show Olivia Kendall Seasons 6-8 / Starring as Raven-Symoné
1993-1997 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Nicole Lee Seasons 2-5 / Starring as Raven-Symone.
2002-2007 Kim Possible Monique Voice / Recurring role
2002-2007 That's So Raven Raven Baxter Main Role / Starring as Raven.
2004 The Cheetah Girls Galleria "Bubbles" Garibaldi 4 episodes were filmed, but were cancelled before airing.
Raven Simone Guest appearances
Year Title Role Notes1989 Different WorldA Different World Olivia Kendall "Forever Hold Your Peace" (episode 5, season 3)
1990 Muppets at Walt Disney WorldThe Muppets at Walt Disney World Young girl Television special
TGIF Nicole -
1992 Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Claudia "Vying for Attention" (episode 21, season 2)
1993 Blindsided Singer
Queen: The Story of an American Family 5-year-old Queen uncredited
1995 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Olivia/Zoe (voice) "The Princess and the Pauper"
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Goldilocks (voice) "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"
2001 My Wife and Kids Charmaine "Mom's Away (Part 1)" (episode 1, season 2)
"Mom's Away (Part 2)" (episode 2, season 2)
Proud FamilyThe Proud Family Stephanie (voice) "Seven Days of Kwanzaa" (episode 11, season 1)
2004 Fillmore! Maryanne Greene (voice)
Alexandria Quarry (voice) "Code Name: Electric Haircut" (episode 9, season 2)
"Field Trip of the Just (2004)" (episode 12, season 2)
2005 Higglytown Heroes Playground Monitor Hero (voice) "Wayne's Ripping Adventure/Meet Eubie's Cousin" (episode 14, season 1)
2006 Suite Life of Zack and CodyThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody Raven Baxter "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana" (episode 20, season 2)
2007 Cory in the House Raven Baxter Guest star in "That's So in the House" episode
2008 WrestleMania 24 Herself Guest announcer
American Dad! Katie
Wife "Office Spaceman" (Episode 14, Season 3)
"Stanny Slickers II" (Episode 15, Season 3)
Raven Simone Discography
Raven Simone Albums
1993: Here's to New Dreams1999: Undeniable
2004: This Is My Time
2008: Raven-Symoné
Raven Simone Tour
2005-2006: This Is My Time Tour2008: The Pajama Party Tour
Raven Simone Singles
Year Title Chart positions AlbumU.S. Hot 100 U.S. Dance U.S. R&B
1993 "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" (featuring Missy Elliott) 68 43 47 Here's to New Dreams
"Raven is the Flavor" - - -
1999 "With a Child's Heart" - - - Undeniable
2004 "Backflip" - - - This Is My Time
2005 "Bump" - - -
2008 "Double Dutch Bus" - - 35 Raven-Symoné
Raven Simone Awards and nominations
Year Status Award Category Work1990 Nominated Young Artist Award Outstanding Performance by an Actress Under Nine Years of Age 9 Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show
1991 Won Young Artist Award Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show
1993 Nominated Young Artist Award Outstanding Actress Under Ten in a Television Series Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show
1994 Nominated Young Artist Awards Best Youth Comedienne Hangin' With Mr. Cooper
1996 Nominated NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress Hangin' With Mr. Cooper
1999 Nominated Young Star Awards Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Mini-Series/Made for TV Film Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
2004 Won Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress That's So Raven
Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special That's So Raven
Won Black Reel Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Cheetah GirlsThe Cheetah Girls
Nominated BET Comedy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series That's So Raven
Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress - Comedy That's So Raven
2005 Won Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress That's So Raven
Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special That's So Raven
Won Radio Disney Music Awards Best Actor/Actress-Turned-Singer
Nominated BET Comedy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series That's So Raven
Nominated Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress - Comedy That's So Raven
Nominated BET Comedy Awards Best Performance in an Animated Theatrical Film Kim Possible: So the Drama
2006 Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special That's So Raven
Won NAACP Image Awards Junior Achievement Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special That's So Raven
Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress - Comedy That's So Raven
Nominated Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress That's So Raven
2007 Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special That's So Raven
Won NAMIC Vision Awards 2007 North Star Award (top award)
Nominated NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series That's So Raven
Nominated Radio Disney Music Awards Favorite TV Star Who Sings
Nominated Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress That's So Raven
2008 Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - Series or Special That's So Raven
Won NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance Program That's So Raven
Nominated Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress That's So Raven
Raven Simone Personal interests
Raven has said that she owns a Playstation 3 and plays the popular game Heavenly Sword. She is also an avid fan of the TV show South Park.
