Anneliese stopped by the Susceptible Podcast — run by fellow Disney vet Christy Carlson Romano — and revealed some behind-the-scenes information about That is So Raven and the way their preliminary imaginative and prescient for the present did not embody Raven-Symoné within the titular position.
“Once I went in to audition, the present was known as Completely Psychic,” Anneliese advised Christy within the newest episode. “It wasn’t known as That is So Raven in any respect.”
“On the time, Raven wasn’t the lead. She was the sidekick. They have been on the lookout for a lead and I got here in to audition for the lead.”
The lead position in the end went to another person and shortly after, manufacturing started on the collection. Regardless of casting a distinct lead character — who was initially going to be known as Molly — Raven stood out to the producers.
“Once they filmed, they realized Raven was the funniest one and had a following, and they also bumped her as much as first place.”
As soon as Raven was moved as much as the lead position, auditions started once more for supporting characters. Anneliese went in for an enormous “cattle casting,” and she or he was ultimately chosen to play Raven’s greatest good friend Chelsea on the present.
However Anneliese revealed Disney by no means envisioned a Black lady because the star of the present after they first created and solid for the present.
“I believe that was form of, like, racism at a low degree — I suppose if that is even a chance. They could not actually see a Black lady main a present. They solely noticed her as a sidekick.”
Christy chimed in, including that Disney was specializing in monetary good points and making strategic enterprise selections with out serious about the “impacts of not simply who you are casting, however the tales, the illustration, and the visibility” of the youngsters concerned.
That is So Raven in the end turned successful, lasting 4 seasons and incomes two spinoffs: Cory within the Home (Disney’s first official spinoff collection) and Raven’s Dwelling, which Anneliese starred in for the primary 4 seasons.
To be taught extra about Anneliese, try her full interview on the Susceptible Podcast beneath:
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Susceptible Podcast
