Originally appeared on E! Online
Raven-Symoné is sharing her thoughts on one of her earliest mentors.
The Cosby Show alum—who made her acting debut on the ‘80s sitcom at age 3—made rare comments about her former costar Bill Cosby’s sexual assault cases, explaining that she separates his legal troubles from his professional accomplishments.
“He has been accused of some horrific things,” she said on the Nov. 3 episode of the Hate to Break It to Ya podcast. “That does not excuse, but that’s his personal [life]. So personally, keep that there, and then business-wise, know what he did there as well.”
During the conversation, Raven, 39, highlighted the disgraced comedian’s contributions to the television industry, including pioneering the practice of hiring Black crew members on set of his series.
“Now it’s mandated,” she explained, “but back then—especially on a Black show—it was very important to see yourself not just in front, but behind the camera as well, and Mr. Cosby instilled that in all of us.”
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Indeed, the That’s So Raven actress noted that she continues to insist on having representation behind the scenes of her own projects to this day.
“I took it to Disney and I took it to anywhere I went afterwards, even when it wasn’t the norm,” she continued. “I was like, ‘No, I have to be able to see myself.’ Because if I don’t ask for it, who will?”
E! News has reached out to Cosby’s attorney for comment but has not heard back.
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Cosby, 88, was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in 2018 after being found guilty of sexual assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. He was released in June 2021 after his conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, who cited an agreement Cosby made with a previous prosecutor which would have prevented him from being charged in the case.
On the day of his release, Cosby issued a statement about the matter.
“I have never changed my stance nor my story,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) at the time. “I have always maintained my innocence. Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law.”
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