In Ashley Spencer’s book “Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel’s Tween Empire,” Dava Savel, co-producer and writer for Disney Channel, revealed that Raven-Symoné’s body was allegedly edited to appear thinner during a body-empowerment episode of “That’s So Raven.” The edits were made because show producers were reportedly bothered by the then-18-year-old actress’ weight but never told her directly.
During a Season 2 episode titled “That’s So Not Raven”, a model was chosen to walk in a fashion show over Raven-Symoné’s character, Raven Baxter, because she was deemed thinner. The episode featured Raven-Symoné trying out various diets to slim down before ultimately accepting herself. In the end, she walks the runway after realizing she is perfect just the way she is, sending a message of body positivity.
According to insiders in the book, a show network executive requested Raven-Symoné’s figure be slimmed down using visual effects for her runway scene. Michael Feldman described this as shameful, noting that the very message Raven-Symoné wanted to portray was undermined by the show producers. Former Disney Channel executive Adam Bonnett confirmed that special effect techniques were used in other episodes to make Raven-Symoné’s attire look more flattering, including an episode where she goes to a dance.
Raven-Symoné starred on “That’s So Raven” for four seasons from 2003 to 2007. During her time on the show, she openly discussed undergoing a breast reduction and liposuction surgery to avoid being called fat. She described the experience as a mess, reflecting on the pain of being young and facing body image pressures.
The revelations in the book shed light on the behind-the-scenes issues faced by Raven-Symoné during her time on “That’s So Raven.” The allegations of her body being edited without her knowledge bring to question the responsibility of show producers in promoting body image positivity. Despite the challenges she faced, Raven-Symoné’s character ultimately embraced herself, delivering a powerful message of self-acceptance.
While representatives for Raven-Symoné and Disney have not yet commented on these allegations, the controversy surrounding the editing of her body for a body-empowerment episode highlights the importance of authenticity in promoting positive body image in the media. The revelations from the book may lead to a deeper conversation about the impact of such actions on young viewers and the responsibilities of content creators in portraying realistic and positive representations of body diversity.
