‘That’s So Raven’ Star Reveals Dark Side Of Disney With Racism Claims
Following the release of 'Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV', an interview with former Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol has resurfaced as she revealed what it was like working for the network.
If you didn't know, Anneliese played Chelsea in the 2003 sitcom 'That's So Raven' alongside Raven-Symoné, Kyle Massey, and Orlando Brown. She was 15 when she auditioned for the role, and now, 20 years later, she is speaking out on what it was like to work for the network.
'Absolutely Psychic'
The 'Raven's Home' actress sat down with former 'Even Stevens' star Christy Carlson Romano where she spilled some secrets from her time at Disney as a child actor -- including how there was some racism when creating 'That's So Raven'.
"When I went into audition, the show was called 'Absolutely Psychic'. It wasn't called 'That's So Raven'," Anneliese told Christy on the 'Vulnerable' podcast segment. "At the time, Raven [Symoné] wasn't the lead. She was the sidekick."
Anneliese van der Pol Claims There Was Racism At Disney
So, the show was holding auditions for the lead, whose character name was Molly, Anneliese went to try out for the role, however, she didn't get it. They moved forward, but "when they filmed, they realized that Raven was the funniest one and had a following, and so they bumped her up to first position."
Anneliese auditioned again for the sidekick role, which she ended up getting. "I think the character's name was Molly and then Emma, and then it became Chelsea," she revealed on the podcast, "And I think that was kind of like racism at a low level. I guess if that’s even a possibility."
"They couldn't really see a black girl leading a show. They only saw her as a sidekick," she added.
The Only Color That Matters Is Green
Christy then chimed in and claimed, "It's not personal, it's business."
"My brother is in finance and I remember him saying something like 'look a lot of times in where I'm from the only color that matters is green'," referring to the color of money, "and as sh-tty as that sounds, especially when we're talking about kids lives."
Anneliese added, "It is business, but children are involved."
'That's So Raven' was the first time a Black woman ever had her own name as the title of a comedy series. It was also Disney's first attempt at a multi-camera production.
'That's So Raven' True Disney Colors
While Anneliese claims there was racism on the 'That's So Raven' set, there was an episode that focused on racism called 'True Colors'.
The episode is set during Black History Month, and so Raven's dad helps her brother, Cory, appreciate it so that he can write a good report. Plus, Raven thinks she's not been given a job because of racism and is determined to prove it.
When Raven and her friend Chelsea both go for the interview, Raven clearly knows more about fashion, but Chelsea ends up being hired for the position. That is when Raven has a vision where the manager of the store says “I don’t hire Black people.” When she tells her friends what she saw in her vision, her friend Eddie, who is also Black, tells Raven, "That’s discrimination."
With the help of her friends and family, Raven is able to expose the clothing store and the manager for being racist.
Anneliese van der Pol Hints She Was Asked To Leave 'That's So Raven'
In one of her videos, Anneliese used a popular sound clip from 'Phineas and Ferb' of Dr. Doofenschmirtz, with a caption written over the video.
“Wow! If I had a nickel for everytime I was asked to leave a show starring Raven…” the caption read. She then held up two fingers, hinting she was asked to leave both 'That's So Raven' and 'Raven's Home'.
These videos and claims are beginning to resurface due to the popularity of 'Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV', which exposed Nickelodeon and former producer Dan Schneider for creating a toxic work environment and being verbally abuse while on set.
Drake Bell also came forward and said he was a victim of s-xual abuse at the hands of voice coach Brian Peck.
