Raven-Symoné Biography: Age, Height, Wife Miranda, Net Worth, Disney Career, Cheetah Girls & Facts

Raven-Symoné is a beloved American actress, singer, and director who has been entertaining audiences since she was a toddler on The Cosby Show. Best known for her iconic role as psychic teenager Raven Baxter on Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven, she became the first Black woman to have her name in the title of a Disney comedy series and later executive produced its hit spin-off, Raven’s Home. In 2026, she is returning to her Disney roots with The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, while navigating a public controversy over comments about her character’s Blackness and defending her wife against online harassment.

Quick Facts

Related Names: Miranda Pearman-Maday, Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan, Keke Palmer, Kalen Allen, Anneliese van der Pol, Orlando Brown, Debra Martin Chase, Tim Federle.

Early Life & Education

Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman was born on December 10, 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Lydia Gaulden and Christopher Pearman. She was signed to a modeling agency as an infant and was modeling for Fisher-Price by the age of two. Her family moved to the New York metropolitan area to support her budding career.

Her big break came at just three years old. While watching The Cosby Show, she told her parents she could “do what Ruby does” — and that very comment led to a role being created specifically for her as Olivia Kendall on the hit NBC sitcom. She appeared on the show from 1989 to 1992.

She later attended the Academy of Art University, where she earned an associate degree. Raven-Symoné had a younger brother, Blaize, who tragically died in November 2023, and her father Christopher passed away in October 2024.

Career Journey

Child Stardom: The Cosby Show and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1989–1997)

After her breakout role on The Cosby Show, Raven-Symoné continued to work steadily as a child actress. At age seven, she signed with MCA Records and released her debut album, Here’s to New Dreams (1993), which included the moderately successful single “That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of”. She then starred as Nicole Lee on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper from 1993 to 1997, appearing in over 70 episodes and cementing her status as a recognizable television face.

During this period, she also appeared in films like Dr. Dolittle (1998) and its sequel, and voiced Monique in the animated series Kim Possible (2002–2007).

Disney Royalty: That’s So Raven and The Cheetah Girls (2003–2008)

Raven-Symoné’s career reached new heights when she landed the titular role of psychic teenager Raven Baxter on Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven (2003–2007). The show became one of Disney Channel’s defining series, running for 100 episodes and making Raven the first Black woman to have her name in a Disney Channel comedy series title.

Simultaneously, she starred as Galleria in The Cheetah Girls (2003) and its sequel The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), contributing vocals to soundtracks that were certified platinum and gold. She also released the studio albums This Is My Time (2004) and Raven-Symoné (2008) and appeared in films like The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) and College Road Trip (2008).

Reinvention: The View, Broadway, and Directing (2012–2023)

After a brief hiatus from the spotlight, Raven-Symoné made her Broadway debut in Sister Act in 2012. From 2015 to 2016, she served as a co-host on ABC’s The View, earning two Emmy nominations for her work.

In 2017, she returned to her most famous character in Raven’s Home, a spin-off of That’s So Raven that ran for six seasons until 2023. She also served as an executive producer on the series, which earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination and four NAACP Image Awards. She expanded her behind-the-camera work by directing episodes of Raven’s Home, Bunk’d, Sydney to the Max, and The Ms. Pat Show.

2026: The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen and Podcasting

In July 2026, Disney officially greenlit The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, a fourth installment in the beloved franchise. Raven-Symoné returns as Galleria and serves as an executive producer alongside Debra Martin Chase. Adrienne Bailon returns as Chanel, and Sabrina Bryan makes a special appearance as Dorinda. The film follows Galleria and Chanel as they travel to Africa with a new generation of Cheetah Girls, led by Galleria’s daughter Faith (played by Leah Sava’ Jeffries). Filming began in South Africa in July 2026.

Raven-Symoné also co-hosts the podcast Tea Time with Raven & Miranda with her wife, where they discuss life, relationships, and pop culture.

Career Stats

• Television: The Cosby Show (1989–1992), Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1993–1997), That’s So Raven (2003–2007), Raven’s Home (2017–2023), The View (2015–2016)
• Films: Dr. Dolittle (1998), The Cheetah Girls (2003), The Princess Diaries 2 (2004), College Road Trip (2008), The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen (2026)
• Albums: Here’s to New Dreams (1993), Undeniable (1999), This Is My Time (2004), Raven-Symoné (2008)
• Directing: Raven’s Home, Bunk’d, Sydney to the Max, The Ms. Pat Show

Personal Life

Marriage to Miranda Pearman-Maday

Raven-Symoné married Miranda Pearman-Maday in June 2020 after five years of dating. Miranda is a social media manager and content creator who has become a public figure in her own right through their joint podcast. The couple are known for their candid discussions about their relationship and have addressed rumors about money playing a role in their marriage.

In 2026, Raven-Symoné publicly defended her wife after Miranda received death threats in her DMs following backlash over comments she made about not watching That’s So Raven growing up.

Family

Raven-Symoné’s mother, Lydia Gaulden, was a key figure in her early career, signing her to a modeling agency as an infant. Her father, Christopher Pearman, died in October 2024. Her younger brother, Blaize, died in November 2023 at a young age.

Dating History

Before her marriage to Miranda, Raven-Symoné kept her dating life largely private. She has stated that she has “never dated someone who was a fan,” preferring partners who see her as a person rather than a celebrity.

Controversies

“That’s So Raven” Blackness Debate

In September 2026, resurfaced comments from an April episode of Tea Time with Raven & Miranda ignited a major backlash. Raven-Symoné questioned why her character Raven Baxter “felt Black” to viewers, saying, “I love my Blackness. But my Blackness can look so many different ways”. When guest Kalen Allen insisted that Raven Baxter “felt Black as hell,” Raven asked, “Why did she feel Black to you?” and suggested viewers “take away the color, make them green” to focus on the words.

Fans pushed back strongly, pointing out that the Baxters were undeniably a Black family — from Tanya’s locs and Raven’s braids to storylines about soul food and Black history. The controversy was compounded when former Miss Teen USA runner-up Gloria Almonte alleged that Raven-Symoné had called winner Marissa Whitley “the Black girl” after the 2001 pageant.

Wife’s Death Threats

The backlash extended to Miranda Pearman-Maday, who received death threats in her DMs after old comments about not watching That’s So Raven resurfaced. Raven-Symoné issued a passionate defense of her wife, demanding that trolls stop the harassment.

Disney Channel “Mount Rushmore” Debate

In March 2026, Raven-Symoné sparked debate by excluding stars like Miley Cyrus and Christy Carlson Romano from her “Mount Rushmore” of Disney Channel stars, drawing criticism from fans of those actresses.

Awards & Achievements

• Five NAACP Image Awards — For her work on That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home
• Two Kids’ Choice Awards — Favorite Television Actress
• Three Young Artist Awards
• Five Emmy Award Nominations — Including two for The View and one Daytime Emmy for Raven’s Home
• First Black Woman with Her Name in a Disney Channel Comedy Series Title — That’s So Raven
• VH1’s “100 Greatest Child Stars of All Time” — Included in 2012
• Truth Awards Icon Award — For decades of commitment to kids and family programming and LGBTQ+ visibility

Physical Statistics

• Height: 5′ 2″ (157 cm)
• Weight: 128 lbs (58 kg)
• Hair Color: Dark Brown
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Build: Curvy
• Measurements: 38-28-37

Quotes

“I love my Blackness. But my Blackness can look so many different ways.” — On the That’s So Raven Blackness debate, April 2026

“I have never dated someone who was a fan. I don’t want a romantic partner who fangirls over me.” — Defending her wife amid backlash

“We’re just a normal couple. We argue, we love, we laugh. We’re just like everybody else.” — On her marriage to Miranda

Favorites

• Favorite Character: Raven Baxter (obviously)
• Favorite Disney Project: The Cheetah Girls — she has said the franchise holds a special place in her heart
• Favorite Creative Role: Directing, which she has pursued in recent years
• Favorite Podcast Topic: Life, love, and candid conversations with her wife

Earnings

Raven-Symoné’s net worth is estimated to be between $20 million and $40 million as of 2026, depending on the source. Some estimates place it as high as $70.5 million, though Celebrity Net Worth lists it at approximately $20 million. Her income streams include:

• Acting and producing — Raven’s Home and upcoming The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen
• Podcasting — Tea Time with Raven & Miranda
• Music royalties — From her albums and soundtrack contributions
• Endorsements and appearances

She also holds the distinction of being one of the wealthiest Disney Channel alumni, tied with Kevin Jonas at $40 million in one ranking.

Interesting Facts

• Started at Age 3: She landed her first acting role on The Cosby Show after telling her parents she could “do what Ruby does” while watching the show.
• First Album at Age 7: She released her debut studio album, Here’s to New Dreams, when she was only seven years old.
• Disney Trailblazer: She was the first Black woman to have her name in the title of a Disney Channel comedy series.
• Broadway Debut: She made her Broadway debut in Sister Act in 2012.
• Body Positivity Advocate: In 2026, she opened up about the pressure she faced as a child star, revealing that costume fittings at age 9 made her restrict her eating — she “couldn’t have bagels”.

Did You Know Already?

• Raven-Symoné was a champion of LGBTQ+ visibility long before she publicly came out, and she received the Truth Awards Icon Award for her commitment to the community.
• She directed multiple episodes of The Ms. Pat Show, Bunk’d, and Sydney to the Max, establishing herself as a sought-after television director.
• She and her wife Miranda met five years before they married and built their relationship away from the Hollywood spotlight.
• That’s So Raven was the first Disney Channel original series to reach 100 episodes.
• She voiced Iridessa in the Tinker Bell film franchise from 2008 to 2015.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @ravensymone
• Twitter/X: @RavenSymone
• YouTube: Tea Time with Raven & Miranda — Available on YouTube
• TikTok: @ravensymone

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Raven-Symoné’s journey from a three-year-old scene-stealer on The Cosby Show to a Disney powerhouse, Broadway performer, director, and podcast host is a testament to her extraordinary talent and resilience. In 2026, she continues to break new ground with The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen while navigating the complexities of fame, family, and public perception with honesty and grace. Whether she’s making us laugh as Raven Baxter or speaking her truth on her podcast, Raven-Symoné remains one of entertainment’s most enduring and authentic voices.

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