Raven-Symone is trying to shed her 'little kid' image
22-year-old released new self-titled album in April
But the former "That's So Raven" star is trying to show she's graduated from the child phenom role and has more substance to her than the animated character that's still endlessly shown, via reruns, on the television screen.
One way Raven-Symone believes she can do so is through her music.
"I just want people to see that I'm not a little kid anymore," the 22-year-old said in a recent interview while on a rehearsal break for her nationwide tour. It was supposed to kick off this spring but was scrapped for what an AEG Live concert promoter would only call "unforeseen circumstances."
Despite her tour setback, Raven-Symone just released her new self-titled album last month. Some of the tracks are uptempo songs like her first single, "Double Dutch Bus," but she also dips into her personal matters, such as a tough relationship on "Love Me Or Leave Me."
"When I was recording it, I was crying because I don't like putting my business out there," she said.
While she is known through her TV and movie credits as the bubbly, outgoing type, she describes herself as an individual who would rather keep her experiences away from work to herself.
"I don't talk about my personal life a lot, because it's not for everybody's knowledge," she said. "But that is what grows people up. Even when I talk about it, I get antsy."
Raven-Symone credits working with a slew of hitmaking songwriters and producers, ranging from Sean Garrett to Timbaland, with helping her unleash her inner thoughts on her CD.
"We tried to keep it on the lines of having fun," said Ezekiel Lewis of the Clutch, a songwriting group that produced "Keep A Friend" and "Double Dutch Bus," a remix of the 1981 funk song by Frankie Smith. "When it came down to it, she got it done. She wanted to express her feelings and she did."
One of the more personal songs on the CD is "Hollywood Life," about the struggles of becoming famous, dealing with the pitfalls of loneliness and weight loss.
"There are so many girls who are trying to be famous and trying to conform to a style or body type," Raven-Symone said. "But they are fine just the way they are.
"This is a something that a lot of people need to hear."
If there's anyone in music or acting who should understand, it is Raven-Symone. The entertainer has read blogger comments chastising her about her full figure, but she tries not to let the criticism bother her.
Recent comments
yeah i agree i use 2 think i was really fat and i didnt like it and...
tyreshia | Oct. 10, 2008 at 3:01 p.m.
>I don't like putting my business out there
Then...
Duh | May 12, 2008 at 2:58 p.m.
I hope she will be patient and keep working to gain her credibility...
Raven | May 12, 2008 at 5:25 a.m.
