Raven Symoné Drops Truth Bomb on Miley Cyrus’ Disney Rise—Prepare for the Real Story

When it comes to Disney Channel royalty, two names often dominate the conversation: Raven Symoné and Miley Cyrus. Though both rocketed to fame through the Disney machine, the paths they walked couldn’t be more different—and now, Raven is finally speaking out. In a moment of rare candor during a sit-down with Jason Lee, she opened the vault on what really went down during the era when That’s So Raven and Hannah Montana ruled pop culture.

And let’s just say—it’s not the fairy tale Disney might want you to believe.

Raven’s Rise: Carrying the Disney Machine on Her Back

Before there was Hannah Montana, there was Raven Baxter—a loud, proud, and unforgettably funny teen psychic who broke barriers as the first Black woman to lead a Disney Channel series. Raven didn’t just star in a show—she was the brand. The That’s So Raven merchandise, reruns, and massive ratings proved that she had the “it” factor.

But what most people didn’t see? The weight Raven carried behind the scenes.

“I was 18 on the set, dealing with Orlando,” she revealed, referring to co-star Orlando Brown, whose erratic behavior became public in later years. Her voice wasn’t one of resentment—it was of exhaustion. “So I had a lot more things to worry about than Miley Cyrus.”

While the world watched her deliver laugh after laugh, Raven was trying to stay afloat amid chaos—not just the typical pressures of teen stardom, but internal battles no script could prepare her for.

Meanwhile, Enter Miley: A New Star, A Different System

In 2006, Miley Cyrus launched into orbit with Hannah Montana, a show that instantly became a cultural phenomenon. But unlike Raven, who earned her fame over time, Miley’s rocket was ready from day one.

“Was there, in my brain, a ‘WTF’ on what, why, and how [her career] is going faster than what I went through? Obviously,” Raven confessed, cutting through years of speculation with one perfectly worded sentiment.

That moment wasn’t bitterness—it was truth.

Raven was a trailblazer. Miley came in after the trail had already been paved. But that didn’t make her journey any less powerful. The difference is: one built the house, and the other moved in with the key already cut.

The Role of Appearance and Access in Hollywood’s Unspoken System

The conversation turned sharp when Raven explained what she saw as the mechanics behind Miley’s rapid rise.

“You chalk it up to skinny, white, and the foundation was already built… and talent,” she said—acknowledging both the privilege and the prowess that worked in tandem.

It’s a bold statement—one that some might find uncomfortable—but it’s also a conversation that has been simmering under the surface of Hollywood for decades.

Let’s be clear: Raven isn’t attacking Miley. In fact, she later calls her “my girl” and praises her abilities. What Raven is pointing to is the inequity baked into the system. Disney knew what it had in Raven—but it bet bigger on Miley. Why?

Was it race? Was it body image? Was it simply business?

The truth probably lies somewhere in the messy middle.

The Orlando Factor: Silent Struggles Behind the Spotlight

While Miley was starring in a multi-million-dollar tour as both herself and her alter ego, Raven was dealing with an on-set co-star who, even then, was beginning to spiral. Orlando Brown’s off-screen troubles became public years later, but according to Raven, the signs were already there.

Dealing with a volatile work environment, being a young Black woman in leadership, and carrying an entire brand is a triple load few people could understand—much less survive. But Raven did. And she did it with a smile on screen, even if her private reality was far less glamorous.

Why Miley’s Career Moved at Warp Speed

Raven was already a star—she had been on The Cosby Show and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and had a recording career under her belt. But Miley was marketed as America’s Next Pop Princess, a dual persona—Hannah Montana by day, Miley by night—that was easy to sell, easy to brand, and already had the infrastructure of a Disney empire behind it.

Miley’s audience wasn’t just ready—they were hungry. Tween girls wanted her clothes, her music, and her life. And the Disney machine fed that hunger 24/7.

So while Raven had to earn her place, Miley was handed the playbook and told, “Run.”

The Pain of Pioneering

Raven’s story is as much about success as it is about being first. The first to prove that a young Black girl could carry a network. The first to lead merchandise sales. The first to break every mold Disney had quietly kept in place for years.

But being first is often lonely. It’s a heavier load. You have to prove yourself over and over while others—who come later—benefit from the blueprint you never had.

Rivalry or Respect? The Final Word

For all the questions about jealousy or tension, Raven ends the conversation with clarity:

“My girl, Miley, she’s talented.”

That single line is everything. It’s respect. It’s maturity. It’s power. Raven has no interest in tearing another woman down. She’s simply telling her truth, adding complexity to a narrative that the media has long oversimplified.

What the Fans Are Saying

Since her comments, fans have flooded social media with reactions—many echoing the same sentiment: “Why has no one talked about this before?”

Some see it as a wake-up call, a reminder of how race and image still play an outsized role in who gets what opportunities—even in 2024.

Others are applauding Raven for speaking up at all. In an industry built on silence and surface-level stories, her truth is refreshing—and deeply needed.

Legacy Check: Where Are They Now?

Both women are still standing tall, though they’ve taken different routes.

Miley Cyrus has become a genre-bending music icon, unafraid to shed her Disney skin and experiment with style, tone, and message. She’s a Grammy winner, a trendsetter, and an industry mainstay.

Raven Symoné has carved a unique space as an actress, talk-show host, producer, and entrepreneur. She’s stayed true to herself while navigating fame with a level of grace many could never achieve.

But maybe the biggest difference is this: Raven opened doors. Miley walked through them.

Final Word: The Truth Isn’t Ugly—It’s Just Real

This isn’t a story about bitterness. It’s a story about balance. About the unfair advantages that exist, the realities no one wants to name, and the power of two women who succeeded in different ways—but both paid a price.

Raven’s truth may not be easy to hear, but it’s necessary. And if you’re still wondering whether there was competition between her and Miley Cyrus?

Let’s put it this way: Sometimes, it’s not about fighting the race—it’s about realizing the track was never level to begin with.