Raven-Symone says she was pressured by Hollywood to remain closeted

Tue. May 24, 2016 9:39 AM by OnTopMag.com

Actress Raven-Symone reveals in an It Got Better video that she was pressured by Hollywood to remain in the closet.

The 30-year-old Raven-Symone, who is best known for her roles on NBC's The Cosby Show and Disney Channel's That's So Raven, came out in 2013, telling Oprah Winfrey that she didn't want to be labeled gay.

"I don't want to be labeled gay. I want to be labeled a human who loves humans. I'm tired of being labeled. I'm an American. I'm not an African-American. I'm an American," she said.

In the new video, Raven-Symone says that being taught to be a "brand" from childhood led her believe that she would "never" come out.

"I never thought I would come out because my personal life didn't matter," Raven-Symone said.

She added that not dealing with her sexuality "ate at her soul."

"I don't care anymore because I fell in love and I was kind of over the industry, I wanted to retire," she added.

Raven-Symone joined the cast of The View in 2015.

 

Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine

 

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