Raven-Symoné isn’t dodging the hard questions. On a recent episode of the “Hate to Break It to Ya” podcast, the 39-year-old actress tackled the complex legacy of Bill Cosby head-on. Her stance? You can be disgusted by someone’s personal life and still respect the impact of their work.
“He’s been accused of some horrific things,” the “That’s So Raven” alum said plainly. But she separated that from what “The Cosby Show” accomplished. “Both can live,” she said. “You just can’t do wrong.” It is not a defense of Cosby the man. Instead, it is an acknowledgment that the show broke ground. That part, she says, still matters.
Raven framed the argument as creator versus creation. She chooses to “live” in the space that recognizes the cultural footprint of the show without ignoring the personal damage Cosby caused.
For her, erasing “The Cosby Show” doesn’t fix anything. It just buries history.
That version of Black America wasn’t always seen on screen. Raven believes that legacy stands on its own, and she is not letting it be rewritten.
The “Cosby Show” Alum Gives Credit Without Giving a Pass
Raven didn’t just grow up on that set. She learned from it. The “Cheetah Girls” icons saw how Cosby, the boss, made diversity on set a real thing long before it became a buzzword. That stuck with her.
She pointed out that Cosby insisted on hiring Black crew members, not just actors. “Back then, especially on a Black show, it was very important to see yourself not just in front, but behind the camera,” she said.
That mindset shaped Raven’s own career. She carried that same attitude into every project after, especially at Disney. She ensured that diversity wasn’t just on screen, but also behind the scenes. “Mr. Cosby instilled that in all of us,” she said.
This is the part of Cosby’s legacy she won’t ignore. To her, the man did harm, yes, but he also built something important. Something that inspires better hiring, better representation, and more compelling stories. For Raven, separating the two doesn’t excuse him. It preserves the good parts while acknowledging the bad.
Public Judgment and Real Facts
Of course, Bill Cosby’s fall from grace didn’t come from rumors. It came from legal action and real consequences. Dozens of women spoke out, and in 2018, Cosby was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. That conviction was later overturned in 2021, not because the court said he was innocent, but because of a legal deal made years earlier.
Back in 2015, she had to deny being one of Cosby’s victims publicly. Later, when Cosby admitted in a deposition that he obtained drugs to give to women he wanted to have sex with, Raven said clearly, “Now there’s real facts.”
That matters to her. Raven is not defending Cosby’s actions. She is reacting to what is provable and what is personal. It is a tricky line to walk, but she is clear on her footing. She believes in accountability and context. You don’t have to ignore the damage to recognize the impact.
However, some people won’t agree. For many, the harm Cosby caused outweighs any good he may have done. That is fair. Raven’s view doesn’t demand agreement. It asks for room to hold two truths at once. A groundbreaking show can matter deeply, even when its creator fails in the worst way.