Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman (born December 10, 1985), known professionally as Raven-Symoné or Raven, is an American actress, singer-songwriter, comedienne, dancer, television producer, and model. She is best known for her television roles as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Show, Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2, and as Raven Baxter in the Emmy Award nominated series, That's So Raven.

Raven has also lent her voice to the animated series Kim Possible, for the character Monique and films such as Disney‘s Tinker Bell. Raven-Symoné also owns a "how-to" video website, Raven-Symoné Presents.

Early life
Raven-Symoné was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Lydia (née Gaulden) and Christopher B. Pearson. At age three, her family moved to Ossining, New York where she attended Park School. 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.

1989–2001: The Cosby Show and Dr. Dolittle
In 1989, Raven-Symoné auditioned for a part in the Bill Cosby movie, Ghost Dad. At three years old she was considered too young for the role, but Bill Cosby liked her so much that he found a part for her on his show, The Cosby Show, as his granddaughter Olivia. Raven-Symoné played the part of Olivia until 1992. She then appeared as the younger version of Halle Berry's starring character, a headstrong biracial slave, in the TV movie Queen: The Story of an American Family, based on the book by Alex Haley. Within a year after The Cosby Show ended, she landed the role of Nicole Lee on the show Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. During her time on the show, she had her first big screen role in the movie The Little Rascals, playing Stymie's girlfriend. She was then cast in the Eddie Murphy comedy Dr. Dolittle (1998) and then Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) as Charisse Dolittle, the oldest daughter of Murphy's character. Meanwhile, she also appeared in Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999).

2002–07: That's So Raven and The Cheetah Girls
In 2002, Raven-Symoné auditioned for a role on an up-coming series for the Disney Channel titled Absolutely Psychic, about a teenager with psychic abilities. She actually auditioned for the recurring role of Chelsea Daniels,But her role was changed to the lead character Raven Baxter and the series name changed to That's So Raven. The series debuted on January 17, 2003, becoming the Disney Channel's highest-rated and longest-running series. It spawned a franchise including soundtracks, dolls, episode DVDs, and video games. That's So Raven was nominated for Outstanding Children's Program during the 2005 and 2007 Emmy Awards. The show also launched the channel's first spin-off series, Cory in the House.

During her time on the show, Raven-Symoné provided the voice of Danielle in Fat Albert and also as Darlin in Everybody's Hero. She made an appearance in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. In 2003, she starred as lead singer Galleria Garibaldi in The Cheetah Girls, a Disney Channel Original Movie about four city girls who dream of becoming superstars. The movie was the channel's first musical and was the basis for another franchise, including dolls, video games, platinum-selling soundtracks and more. In 2006, Raven-Symoné reprised the role in The Cheetah Girls 2. Raven-Symoné served as executive producer of the film. The film brought in more than 8 million viewers opening night, making it (at the time) Disney Channel's most-watched movie. The films soundtrack debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 and is certified for platinum-level sales by the RIAA.

In 2008, The Cheetah Girls: One World began production, however Raven-Symoné did not return for another film, citing "territorial issues" and "catfights" on the set of Cheetah Girls 2, which led to a strained friendship with the other three actors. In a later interview, Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan and Kiely Williams denied the rumors, saying they all get along well.

2008–present: College Road Trip, Tinker Bell and Revenge of the Bridesmaids
In 2008, Raven-Symoné starred in her first leading role. The comedy College Road Trip surrounds Melanie Porter a 17-year-old college-bound girl who is eagerly looking forward to her first big step towards independence, when she plans a girls only road trip to check out prospective universities. But when her overbearing police chief father (Martin Lawrence) insists on escorting her instead in hopes to sway her decision, soon finds her dream trip has turned into a nightmare adventure full of comical misfortune and turmoil. In its opening weekend, the film grossed approximately $14,000,000 in 2,706 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking as the #2 film at box office. It went on to gross more than $60,000,000 worldwide.

During 2008 and 2009, Raven-Symoné provided her voice for the light-fairy in the Disney Fairies direct-to-DVD film series, Tinker Bell, and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. Raven-Symoné is expected to return to the franchise for the films, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, Tinker Bell and the Mysterious Winter Woods, and Tinker Bell: Race Through the Seasons. Raven also appeared in Chris Rock’s 2009 documentary Good Hair.

In 2010, Raven-Symoné starred in an ABC Family, made-for-tv film, Revenge of the Bridesmaids. Revenge of the Bridesmaids surrounds two childhood friends who attempt to thwart the wedding of a no-good, money hungry ex-friend by going undercover as bridesmaids so that true love can prevail. The film garnered 2.5 million viewers on its premiere, making it the number 1 movie on basic cable in Women 18-34, and ranked among the Top 5 programs in its time period in Total Viewers that week.

Symoné also made a guest appearance on the Disney Channel Original Series Sonny With a Chance. She portrayed the character Amber Algoode, the president of Chad Dylan Cooper's fan club.

1992–99: Here's to New Dreams and Undeniable
Raven-Symoné began her singing career at the age of five, when she signed with MCA Records. She spent that year and the next taking vocal lessons from Melissa Elliott. Her first album, Here's to New Dreams, was released on June 22, 1993, which spawned two singles: "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" and "Raven Is the Flavor". "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" reached #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album however was not successful, and due to low sales she was dropped from MCA Records in 1995.

In 1996, Raven-Symoné and her father founded RayBlaze Records, in which she signed a distribution deal with Crash Records for her sophomore album Undeniable. Undeniable was released in May 1999. The album yielded one single: "With a Child's Heart", a remake of a classic Michael Jackson tune.

2003–06: This Is My Time
In early 2003, she signed a deal with Hollywood Records, a Disney-owned label. On September 21, 2004, she released her third studio album This Is My Time, which included the single "Backflip", which received heavy rotation on both Disney Channel, as well on BET and MTV. The album debuted and peaked at #51 on the Billboard 200 selling 19,000 copies in its first week of release and becoming her most successful album.

During 2004, Raven-Symoné also recorded music for That's So Raven's first original television soundtrack. The soundtrack debuted and peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 and is now certified 5xPlatinum by the RIAA for sales of 5,000,000 copies.

In support of her third studio album and That's So Raven Too! soundtrack, which was the second soundtrack album from the series. Raven-Symoné embarked on her first headlining tour. The "This Is My Time Tour" kicked off on May 19, 2006 in Richmond, VA and concluded on October 21, 2006 in Columbia, SC.

2007–08: Raven-Symoné


Her fourth studio album Raven-Symoné was released on April 29, 2008. The album features production by Sean Garrett (Beyoncé), The J.A.M. (Leona Lewis), Knightwritaz, and The Clutch (Timbaland, Ciara). The only single released was "Double Dutch Bus", a remake of Frankie Smith's 1981 funk track. The single was released to radio on February 9, while the video was released on February 18, 2008. The album debuted at #159 on Billboard's Top 200. To promote the album she planned to headline her first all-arena tour "The Pajama Party Tour" in Spring 2008, but due to what promoters call "unforeseen difficulties" the tour was postponed until further notice. Later on, Raven-Symoné confirmed that the tour would be re-scheduled and would kick off in the Summer of 2008. The tour now dubbed the "Raven-Symoné: Live Tour" kicked off in July 2008, and continued through 2009.

During her 2008 Summer tour, it was officially announced that after completing her 2 CD deal with Hollywood Records, she would not renew her contract with the label.

2009–present: Upcoming fifth studio album
In an interview with Teenmag.com, she announced that in late 2009, she would return to the studio to record her next album. She said that the album will be "R&B, most definitely.....with an alternative base for the lyrics". She said, "It's good to go out there and spread your wings and find new talent and work with people you haven't worked with before. I'd love to find the next Timbaland or the next someone who's coming up and no one really knows yet, At the same time, I'd love to work with the Clutch and the J.A.M. again".

The TriGz are currently working on the new Raven-Symoné project. Manny Streetz (from The TriGz) is a producer/songwriter and he is currently executive producing Raven-Symoné's next album.

Discography

 * 1993: Here's to New Dreams
 * 1999: Undeniable
 * 2004: This Is My Time
 * 2008: Raven-Symoné

Tours

 * 2006: This Is My Time Tour
 * 2008-2009: Raven-Symoné: Live Tour