Raven-Symoné
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
| Raven-Symoné | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman |
| Also known as | Raven |
| Born | December 10, 1985 Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, pop, dance-pop, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, television producer |
| Years active | 1989—present |
| Label(s) | MCA Hollywood |
| Associated acts | The Cheetah Girls, Disney Channel Circle of Stars |
| Influences | Janet Jackson, Madonna, Brandy |
| Website | www.ravensymonepresents.com |
Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman (born December 10, 1985) is an American actress, R&B and pop singer-songwriter, best known for her roles as Olivia Kendall in The Cosby Show, Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2 and as Raven Baxter in her own show, That's So Raven. Raven is also a television producer, she produced the final season of That's So Raven as well as her movies College Road Trip and The Cheetah Girls 2. Raven also owns a "how-to" video website, which is also used as her official website. - [1][1]
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Raven-Symoné was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Lydia (née Gaulden) and Christopher B. Pearman.[2][3] As an infant, she 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 Cooper. Raven went on to have roles in films such as 1998's Dr. Dolittle, 1999's Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and 2001's Dr. Dolittle 2.
[edit] Career
[edit] Acting
In 2002, Raven auditioned for a role on an up and coming series for The Disney Channel titled Absolutely Psychic about a teenager with psychic abilities.[citation needed] Initially Raven was cast as the role of the best friend. But after being reviewed, Disney excutives decided to cast Raven as the lead character Raven Baxter and change the series name to That's So Raven. That's So Raven debuted on January 17, 2003. It is Disney Channel's highest-rated and longest-running series. It spawned Disney's most successful franchize, including soundtracks, dolls, episode DVDs, and video games. In 2005 and 2007, the show was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Children's Program." The show also was the first show in Disney history to have a spin-off, Cory in the House. Raven lived in Alpheretta Georgia and went to Webb Bridge Middle School.
In 2003, Raven starred as lead singer Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls. The Cheetah Girls is a Disney Channel Original Movie which is about four city girls who have dreams of becoming superstars. The movie was Disney Channel's first musical and sprawed a massive franchize, much like That's So Raven, including dolls, video games platnuim soundtracks, and more.
Also that year 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 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. She also was scheduled to play Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls: The Series but due to That's So Raven being picked up for another season the show was put on hiatus and later cancelled. The four episodes that were filmed never aired.
In 2006, Raven reprised her role as Galleria Garibaldi and starred in The Cheetah Girls 2, which was a sequel to the original Cheetah Girls film. The film and its soundtrack were huge commercial hits. The film brought in over 8 million viewers opening night, making it (at its time) Disney Channel's most-watched-movie. Its soundtrack also debuted at number five, on the Billboard Top 200 and went on to become platinum. Raven also served as Excutive Producer of the film.
In 2007 Raven guest-stared on an episode of Cory in the House, and the final episode of That's So Raven aired. During the summer of 2007, Raven filmed her first lead film role in College Road Trip, costarring Martin Lawrence.
In 2008, The Cheetah Girls 3 began production but Raven did not return to reprise her role as Galleria, due to problems with her former Cheetah Girls castmates on the set of Cheetah Girls 2. According to an interview not longer after shooting for the second movie wrapped, she said there were "territorial issues and catfights", which led to a strained friendship with the other three girls.[4]
[edit] 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 album sales.
On May 4, 1999, Raven released her second album, Undeniable, on her own independent label RayBlaze Records. "With a Child's Heart" was the only commercially released single from the album. With very little to no promotion, the album was a financial failure, selling just 10,000 copies in the U.S. to date. The Undeniable album was bought up by TMG Records, who re-issued the album on November 14, 2006 under the title From Then Until. Although her first album was full of kid-rap, she used this album to display her vocal ability while still holding true to her rap roots.
Raven 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!, which 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 which both went double platnuim and platnuim.
In early 2003, Raven signed a deal with Hollywood Records (A Disney owned label). On September 21, 2004, she released her third album This Is My Time. The album spawned one commercially released single, "Backflip", which received heavy rotation on both Disney Channel, as well on BET. 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 2005 Raven embarked on a mini-concert tour to promote the album. Raven made guest spots during the Summer of 2005 to different state fairs, amusement parks, theaters, etc... But it wasnt until 2006, when she embarked embarked on her first 40 city tour to promote the album. Later that year Raven began work on her fourth studio album.
Raven's fourth studio album Raven-Symoné was released on April 29, 2008.[5]. The album features production by Sean Garrett (Beyoncé), The J.A.M. (Leona Lewis), Knightwritaz (singer Mario's production team), and The Clutch (Timbaland, Ciara). The first single released was Double Dutch Bus a remake of the 1981 funk track. The single was released to radio on February 9, while the video was released on February 18, 2008. The single has been Raven's most downloaded song on iTunes. It peaked at #9 on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Downloads chart. The album, due to little to no promorion debuted at number 162 on Billboards Top 200. Raven also planned on starting her first all arena headlining tour The Pajama Party Tour this Spring, to promote her album but due to what promoters can only call "unforseen dificulties" the tour was post-poned until further notice. But during a recent interview it was confirmed that Raven is currently rescheduling her tour and that it will kick off later this Summer. But instead of an all arena tour. It would feature both arena and amphitheatre venues. [6]
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Marty 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 | Iridesaa | Voice |
[edit] Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989—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 |
| 2003—2007 | That's So Raven | Raven Baxter | Main Role / Starring as Raven. |
[edit] Guest appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | A Different World | Olivia Kendall | "Forever Hold Your Peace" (episode 5, season 3) |
| 1990 | The Muppets at Walt Disney World | Young girl | Television special |
| TGIF | Nicole | - | |
| 1992 | The 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" | |
| 1996 | Bill Nye the Science Guy | Herself | "Human Transportation" (episode 56, season 3) |
| 2001 | My Wife and Kids | Charmaine |
|
| The Proud Family | Stephanie (voice) | "Seven Days of Kwanzaa" (episode 11, season 1) | |
| 2004 | Fillmore! | Maryanne Greene (voice) Alexandria Quarry (voice) |
|
| 2006 | The 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) |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1993: Here's to New Dreams
- 1999: Undeniable
- 2004: This Is My Time
- 2008: Raven-Symoné
[edit] Tour
- 2005-2006: This Is My Time Tour
- 2008: Raven-Symoné Live Tour
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Status | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Nominated | Young Artist Award | Outstanding Performance by an Actress Under Nine Years of Age 9 | The Cosby Show |
| 1991 | Won | Young Artist Award | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress | The Cosby Show |
| 1993 | Nominated | Young Artist Award | Outstanding Actress Under Ten in a Television Series | The 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 | The 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 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Raven-Symoné on Hollywood Records website
- Raven-Symoné at MySpace
- Raven-Symoné at the Internet Movie Database
|
||||||||||||||||||||
