# Raven-Symoné podcast controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/raven-symon-podcast-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-05T16:31:16.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Controversy emerged following a podcast episode of ‘Tea Time with Raven & Miranda’ regarding the cultural significance of the Disney Channel series ‘That’s So Raven’. During a discussion with guest Kalen Allen, Raven-Symoné questioned the necessity of race in the character Raven Baxter’s relatability, suggesting the character’s identity was universal by asking Allen to ‘take away the color’ and imagine the characters as green. Miranda Pearman-Maday also noted the show’s white writers during the exchange.

Social media backlash followed, with critics arguing the character held specific cultural importance for Black audiences. The debate escalated to include reports of death threats against Allen. In response to the criticism, Pearman-Maday clarified her position, stating that while she was not a dedicated viewer of the series growing up, she was aware of Raven-Symoné’s career. She addressed the online backlash and death threats she received, explaining that ‘watching a show is different than knowing someone exists’ and noting she had encountered the series through her sister.

The situation intensified as a clip of the exchange went viral. In the footage, Allen asserts that the character was ‘Black as f***’, to which Symoné responded by questioning why the character felt Black and repeating her prompt to ‘make them green’ to focus on the dialogue. Additionally, former Miss Teen USA contestant Gloria Almonte has shared a social media claim regarding a 2001 interaction, alleging that a 15-year-old Symoné told her she did not vote for the winner, Miss Missouri, because she was ‘the Black girl’. Symoné and her wife, Miranda Maday, have not yet addressed the recent viral video.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Raven-Symoné faces backlash over resurfaced podcast clip

Raven-Symoné is facing criticism after a podcast clip resurfaced in which she questioned the racial identity of her 'That's So Raven' character, prompting further allegations from a former pageant contestant.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/raven-symon-faces-backlash-over-resurfaced-podcast-clip

### 2026-09-02: Raven-Symoné faces backlash over comments on character's race

Raven-Symoné is facing backlash after a podcast clip resurfaced where she questioned the racial identity of her ‘That’s So Raven’ character, sparking debates over cultural representation.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/raven-symon-faces-backlash-over-podcast-discussion-on-character-identity

### 2026-09-01: Miranda Pearman-Maday clarifies comments on 'That's So Raven' viewership

Miranda Pearman-Maday clarified that she was aware of Raven-Symoné’s career despite not being a dedicated viewer of ‘That’s So Raven’ growing up, addressing previous online backlash.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/miranda-pearman-maday-clarifies-comments-on-thats-so-raven-viewership

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Cite as: Raven-Symoné podcast controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/raven-symon-podcast-controversy