Raven-Symoné has shared the heartbreaking reason behind one of her character’s enduring style choices on That’s So Raven.
If you were a fan of That’s So Raven back in the day, you’ll know that the lead character, Raven Baxter, is famous for her style.
The 2003 Disney Channel series starred Raven-Symoné in the lead role as a high school student who is an aspiring fashion designer.
Of course, she was always seen in a host of striking outfits, which were always paired with high heels.
At the time most of us didn’t give the sartorial choice that much thought, assuming it was just the character’s signature style, but Raven-Symoné has now revealed that there is a sadder reason why she always wore heels.
The actress, now 39, revealed on The Unplanned Podcast: “There is an understanding that if you’re short and you wear heels, it thins you out.
“‘Cause if you look taller, the proportions work out.”
She added: “Behind the scenes, my team — and, I’m sure, conversations — always led to me wearing heels.”
And it wasn’t only in That’s So Raven that she was wearing heels, but she also pointed out that her character in The Cheetah Girls is the only one wearing heels, too.
“When you look at That’s So Raven, every single outfit had heels. I would be wearing heels and pajamas sometimes, just because it makes you look thinner,” she revealed.
Raven-Symoné also noted how damaging the fixation on her weight was at such a young age, adding: “It was a different time period. Nobody was my size at that time.”
Fans flooded the comments with support for the star, writing: “Disney did them so wrong… this saddens me.”
Others added: “Raven had a STUNNING figure (and still does). Shame on Disney,” and: “She was the representation for curvy girls back then. No one was her size on TV and the it girl.”
Another commented: “I actually liked her because she looked normal not like all the other skinny Disney stars,” and: “so sad just to think when we were being entertained, they were being tortured.”
Someone else pointed out: “I think the only thing anyone should tell any child or young adult (or really anyone) to just be yourself.”
