Anneliese stopped by the Weak Podcast — run by fellow Disney vet Christy Carlson Romano — and revealed some behind-the-scenes info about That is So Raven and the way their preliminary imaginative and prescient for the present did not embrace Raven-Symoné within the titular function.
“After I went in to audition, the present was referred to as Completely Psychic,” Anneliese advised Christy within the newest episode. “It wasn’t referred to as That is So Raven in any respect.”
“On the time, Raven wasn’t the lead. She was the sidekick. They had been searching for a lead and I got here in to audition for the lead.”
The lead function in the end went to another person and shortly after, manufacturing started on the collection. Regardless of casting a special lead character — who was initially going to be referred to as Molly — Raven stood out to the producers.
“Once they filmed, they realized Raven was the funniest one and had a following, and they also bumped her as much as first place.”
As soon as Raven was moved as much as the lead function, auditions started once more for supporting characters. Anneliese went in for an enormous “cattle casting,” and she or he was finally chosen to play Raven’s finest buddy Chelsea on the present.
However Anneliese revealed Disney by no means envisioned a Black lady because the star of the present after they first created and forged for the present.
“I believe that was type of, like, racism at a low stage — I assume if that is even a risk. They could not actually see a Black lady main a present. They solely noticed her as a sidekick.”
Christy chimed in, including that Disney was specializing in monetary positive aspects and making strategic enterprise choices with out occupied with the “impacts of not simply who you are casting, however the tales, the illustration, and the visibility” of the kids concerned.
That is So Raven in the end turned successful, lasting 4 seasons and incomes two spinoffs: Cory within the Home (Disney’s first official spinoff collection) and Raven’s Dwelling, which Anneliese starred in for the primary 4 seasons.
To study extra about Anneliese, try her full interview on the Weak Podcast beneath:
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Weak Podcast
