Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman has always had a knack for lighting up the screen. First, as the irresistible Olivia Kendall on “The Cosby Show,” and later as the unforgettably hilarious psychic teen on Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven,” she’s been a part of people’s lives for decades. Born in Atlanta on December 10, 1985, Raven’s journey from precocious kid to confident, creative adult hasn’t exactly followed a straight line – but that unpredictability has made her all the more endearing.
While her music career has had its moments – yes, she did release albums! – acting always seemed to be where she shined brightest. What really set Raven apart wasn’t just talent, but an unmistakable sense of self: the witty asides, the goofy faces, the candor that’s only grown as she’s gotten older. In an industry that chews up child stars and spits them out, Raven somehow managed to dodge most of the drama, steering through challenges with a blend of privacy, humor, and, occasionally, some headline-making honesty.
Finding Love and Coming Out
Raven kept her personal life close to the vest for a long time, which made her public coming out in 2013 all the more powerful. When the government legalized same-sex marriage in several states, she tweeted: “I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you.” She later clarified in interviews that her attraction to both men and women was something she’d always known about herself.
In June 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Raven married Miranda Maday in a backyard ceremony that was as low-key as it was heartfelt. Scroll through either’s Instagram and you’ll see goofy photos, genuine affection, and the kind of inside jokes that speak to a love built on friendship as much as romance. It just feels… real.
Before Miranda, Raven’s most public relationship was with model and actress AzMarie Livingston. They dated from 2012 to 2015, generally staying out of the spotlight and keeping drama to a minimum even when they split – a refreshingly grown-up approach, especially by Hollywood standards.
Of course, the internet is never short on speculation. Persistent rumors have linked Raven to everyone from Jussie Smollett (not true, by her own account) to “That’s So Raven” co-star Orlando Brown and even Justin Timberlake – not to mention her Disney Channel buddy Jonathan “Lil J” McDaniel back in the early 2000s. In reality, most of this is just the internet being the internet: confusing fans, fan fiction, and wishful thinking for fact.
Living Authentically
What’s especially striking about Raven now is just how comfortable she seems in her own skin. After years of keeping things tightly under wraps, she’s found a way to share pieces of her life – especially her marriage – with fans, without sacrificing privacy. We see wedding snapshots, sweet inside jokes, loving anniversary shoutouts.
When she announced her marriage, Raven summed it up simply and beautifully: “I got married to a woman who understands me from trigger to joy, from breakfast to midnight snack, from stage to home.” There’s a fullness and ease to her happiness that feels genuine – like she’s finally found her footing after years of searching.
And it hasn’t always been an easy road. In her 2014 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, Raven memorably pushed back against labels: “I don’t want to be labeled gay. I want to be labeled a human who loves humans.” That openness – sometimes met with confusion, sometimes with criticism – spoke to just how layered her experience has been, trying to figure out not just who she loves, but who she is, outside of everyone’s expectations.
Past Relationships
AzMarie Livingston
Jussie Smollett
Jonathan 'Lil J' McDaniel
Marquis C.
Miranda Pearman-Maday
Now in her late thirties, Raven is still acting, still making audiences laugh, but more importantly, she’s living on her own terms. Her marriage with Miranda feels rooted, honest, and free of pretense – a welcome change from so many showbiz stories we collectively side-eye. For anyone who grew up laughing with Raven, seeing her find personal happiness is like catching up with an old friend who’s finally at peace with herself: not just the aww-inspiring kid or the laugh-out-loud teen psychic, but a woman who’s learned to live – and love – authentically.