Raven-Symoné Reveals she was pressured into cosmetic surgery at the age of 15 to land TV role

The Disney star reflects on her breast reduction and liposuction, revealing the harsh beauty standards of Hollywood.

Raven-Symoné has shared her experience of undergoing cosmetic surgery as a teenager to conform to beauty standards imposed by the entertainment industry. On her podcast Tea Time with Raven & Miranda, co-hosted with her wife Miranda Pearman-Maday, the Disney Channel star discussed how societal and industry pressures led her to make these life-altering decisions.

The former That’s So Raven actress disclosed she underwent her first breast reduction surgery at age 15. Symoné claimed the procedure was encouraged by “someone” to boost her chances of landing her own TV series, with her father also reportedly urging her to proceed. “I went from a triple D all the way down to a B. Someone said I needed to do it in order to get a show,” she explained.

 

 

She also underwent liposuction, believing it would prevent people from commenting on her weight. “I was like, ‘Yeah, if I get lipo, will people stop calling me fat?’” Symoné recounted. Despite the surgeries, she faced continued scrutiny. “I gained weight after and had to go back... because [my breasts] were still too big for others’ feelings.”

The surgeries came with complications, including a seizure following anesthesia and lingering scar tissue. Reflecting on her scars, Symoné emphasized the progress of the body positivity movement. “There’s this beautiful embracing of the body now that I didn’t get as a young girl,” she noted.

Symoné has been vocal about the pressures she faced as a young entertainer. In a 2017 People interview, she recalled being told she was “too big” for a concert tour with the Cheetah Girls. “I still did it!” she said proudly, advocating for talent over appearance.