Raven-Symone Says She Suffers 'Mental Issues' Due to Childhood Body-Shaming

Former “The View” panelist Raven-Symone is opening up about the effect that childhood body-shaming has had on her state of mind, saying that she has “so many mental issues” that are likely the result of being criticized about her body as a youth.

“I wish I was living now as a younger person,” Raven-Symone told People in an interview published Monday. “I probably wouldn’t have so many mental issues.”

Raven-Symone went on to detail the criticism, recalling, “[They said] I was too big to be doing an hour and a half concert. ‘I don’t know how she can dance being that big.’ And I was like, ‘I still did it!'” she offered. “I was on tour forever because it’s not about your size, it’s about what you have to say, if you can sing or dance, and performing. It’s not about your size.”

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It’s a topic that Raven-Symone has discussed before. During her run on ABC daytime talk show “The View,” she divulged how she was told not to eat while portraying Olivia Kendall on “The Cosby Show.”

“It was definitely hard,” she revealed in 2015. “I remember not being able to have the bagel or anything at — we would call it crafty, where it’s just a table of food, ready for you to eat whatever you want. And I remember people would be like, ‘You can’t eat that. You’re getting fat!’ I’m like, ‘I’m seven! I’m hungry!'”

Fortunately, the “Raven’s Home” star said, body acceptance has come a long way since her days as a child actor.

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“In this day and age you have all kinds, and it’s funny, it’s serious, it’s every color, it’s every head shape, it’s every hair. And there’s androgyny, and there’s LGBT coming in, and it feels good,” she told People. “We didn’t have it enough last time and I guess that’s what the past is for — to make sure the present is what it needs to be.”

'That's So Raven' Cast: Where Are They Now? (Photos)

Then: Playing Raven Baxter, a teenager with psychic abilities who gets into all sorts of trouble.

Now: Leaving "The View" to play Raven Baxter, a single mom whose preteen offspring develops psychic abilities.

Raven-Symone is the first confirmed cast member for the new series.
Disney Channel / ABC
Orlando Brown

Then: Playing Raven's best friend Eddie on all four seasons of "That's So Raven."

Now: After roles in films like "Straight Outta Compton," Brown was arrested and charged with a litany of crimes from drug possession to domestic battery.

This recent history will probably be a pretty big obstacle in bringing Eddie back for the spinoff.
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Anneliese van der Pol

Then: Playing Raven's best friend Chelsea on all four seasons of "That's So Raven."

Now: Still acting and singing, the actress made her Broadway debut as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" after the show ended and has been a mainstay on stage and screen ever since.

Chelsea's probably a safe bet on making guest appearances on the new spinoff.
Disney Channel / Getty
Kyle Massey

Then: As Raven's scene-stealing younger brother Cory, Massey was given the first "That's So Raven" spinoff series - "Cory in the House."

Now: Massey continued to act and sing and competed on "Dancing With the Stars." Though he hasn't said anything about the sequel on social media, he'll probably show up once in a while.
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T'Keyah Crystal Keymah

Then: The family matriarch was a regular on the show for three seasons, then "went to law school" and was never seen or heard from again.

Now: The actress seems extremely interested in the "That's So Raven" spinoff, and open to returning, perhaps especially after it was revealed that she had to leave the show in the first place for family emergency reasons.
Disney Channel / Getty
Rondell Sheridan

Then: The actor played the Baxter dad, Victor, on both "That's So Raven" and "Cory in the House."

Now: "Hmmm there's a lot in the news today," the actor tweeted cryptically the day the news of the spinoff broke. "I'll believe it when I get a phone call."
Disney Channel / Getty
David Henrie

Then: The Disney Channel favorite recurred as Cory's best friend Larry over all four seasons of "That's So Raven."

Now: Henrie went on to also do "Wizards of Waverly Place" opposite Selena Gomez after "Raven" ended, and also played the son in "How I Met Your Mother."

Getting Henrie back would probably be a priority, but he is one of the busier "Raven" alums these days.
Disney Channel / Getty
Disney Channel is mounting a "That's So Raven" spinoff series, with Raven-Symone as a single mom with psychic kids of her own - which of the original cast members are likely to make an appearance?
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