More than a decade after numerous women accused him of sexual assault, Raven-Symoné is defending Bill Cosby‘s professional legacy.
The 5x Emmy nominee explained that her former onscreen grandfather “changed television” and onscreen Black representation, despite the “horrific things” of which was formerly convicted.
“Separate the creator from the creation. And that’s just where I live. The creation changed America. Changed television,” she said on the Hate to Break It to Ya podcast. “He has been accused of some horrific things. 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. Both can live.”
More than 60 women have accused Cosby of multiple sex-based offenses. Although he was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine in 2018, over the 2004 rape of Andrea Constand, a judge overturned the conviction in 2021.
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Raven went on to note how he made Black representation on television a priority, most notably with his NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984-’92), in which the actress played Olivia Kendall as a child.
“Now it’s mandated 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,” she said.
“I took it to Disney and I took it to anywhere I went afterwards, even when it wasn’t the norm,” added Raven. “I was like, ‘No, I have to be able to see myself.’ Because if I don’t ask for it, who will?”
Raven went on to lead her own Disney Channel series That’s So Raven (2003-’07), as well as the spin-off Raven’s Home (2017-’23).