Whether you know Raven-Symoné from “The Cosby Show” or Disney‘s “That’s So Raven,” there’s a very good chance that you were first introduced to the star before she became an adult. Starting in the industry when she was just 16-months old, Raven-Symoné is celebrating her 40th birthday today and looks just as amazing as ever!
Just take a peek at the star speaking onstage during the 2025 Teen Vogue Summit in Los Angeles on September 20, while wearing rose-tinted glasses and a colorful jacket.
GettyBefore that, she made an appearance at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on March 27. She again wore colored glasses and a vibrant top.
GettyRaven-Symoné Grew Up in Show Business
Raven-Symoné was born on December 10, 1985, and started working in the entertainment industry not long after.
“From the age of 16 months, I knew that my job was to entertain other people,” she said during a conversation with Demi Lovato for People in September 2024. She admitted, “That’s a mind thing in itself.”
She also claimed that the families of child performers sometime forget that “children, young kids, are performing for their parent. They’re performing for their parents’ love and affection and their, ‘Good job!'”
Beyond that, she noted, “And yes, it’s a lot of money, it’s a lot of money. And money does crazy [expletive].”
How Raven-Symoné’s Relationship With Work Has Changed
GettyRaven-Symoné also opened up about her relationship with her career while talking to Vanity Fair in July 2023.
“As a very young child, I was taught that this was a job,” she said. “This was my version of nine-to-five, as was school. I had to show up. I had to be prepared no matter what, because I could get fired and then things would go to hell. I was taught to always be on time, early, know my lines, smile when someone wants to take a picture with you, always say yes, and know that every part of my life will be scrutinized for the rest of my life.”
“As I got older, I realized that this is a job,” she continued. “I have to always come to work prepared. I am always on time. I don’t always know my lines, but that’s not because I don’t want to—that’s just because I’m old now, and they don’t stick well in my brain.”
She added, “Now, as an adult, it’s always important to keep your hand out for those who want to step up. I think a lot of the times, I find [that] people in positions of power—not as much now, but back in the day—like to gatekeep, and I’ve always prided myself on, if somebody has a dream that I can help them accomplish, I’m going to help them accomplish that.”
