Q&A with Raven-Symoné

 State of Georgia is a new ABC Family series starring Raven-Symoné as Georgia Chamberlain, an aspiring actor from Atlanta who moves into her aunt’s New York City condo with her best friend Jo (Majandra Delfino), who’s seeking to become a physicist. Keeping their heads just above water while contending with boy trouble and job woes, the two mid-20s women will attempt to make their mark on the big city and have fun along the way. Raven is thrilled about this new opportunity as a television lead; she recently spoke to Poptimal about what we can expect from the show.
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It has been a bit of a stretch, after portraying teen psychic Raven Baxter on The Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven for years, to step into this new role. As a result of getting to know the Georgia character, “I’m no longer mad at the cheerleaders I went to school with,” revealed Raven, who claims she wasn’t exactly popular while growing up. Georgia is more self-assured than the girls Raven has portrayed in the past. “She’s a strong-willed individual, though she can be flighty at times. Her core is her family and friends,” she explained, claiming this singular fact in common with the southern belle with whom she shares a hometown. Despite their superficial differences, Raven admires Georgia for her moxy. “I think it’s very important for females to be confident. Females forget to venture out sometimes.”Gnomeo & JulietThe King's Speech

As a child, Raven was somewhat sheltered, not allowed to watch modern television or hang posters of young matinee idols on her walls, so she turned elsewhere for inspiration. Georgia’s mannerisms and personality are heavily influenced by That Girl’s Marlo Thomas, with a dash of Flip Wilson thrown in. “Probably a little bit of somebody from Taxi, too,” said Raven. “It all comes from studying when I was younger.” Raven is excited for audiences to see her perform in this new context, though she admits to not being a “character actor.” The similar quality between all of her characters, including Georgia, she argued, is her own personality. “Being who I am, how my comedy is,” she said, will hopefully draw her existing fans to the sitcom, which features a mix of clever dialog and physical comedy.Debt Becomes Her             Drive Angry

Quick to point out that her castmates are each more than enough of a draw on their own, Raven gushed about the contributions of co-star Loretta Devine. “Aunt Honey is a scene-stealer,” she said. “She’s also the voice of reason. She’s a sweetheart. These two girls living in her apartment are definitely more sane than she is, but she has great advice.” Adding later that Devine is like a long-lost real-life aunt to her, Raven seemed grateful to share the screen with such talent. “I’m learning so much, learning more acting, more tips and tricks,” Raven said about working with the Texas-born veteran of stage and screen. Thus far, Raven has enjoyed the filming process and is encouraged by the reactions they’ve received, saying that “shooting in front of a live studio audience is one of the best rushes you’ll ever experience. It brings more joy into the script for you.” She’s dedicated to her mission as a comic performer. “I hope people will tune in to be super entertained, to be happy, and to laugh.”The Adjustment Bureau

Since her debut on The Cosby Show at the age of three, Raven-Symoné has been the charming and relatable girl next door, albeit funnier and more ambitious than the average kid, with more success than most child actors ever achieve. Raven mentioned how today’s climate makes it easier to “get famous super quick,” though she added that it’s tougher to maintain a high level of exposure. Playing Georgia in this new project has allowed her explore the character of someone who’s seeking fame and fortune the old-fashioned way. It’ll be interesting to “see a woman struggle” through that territory, she suggested. How does Raven hold onto her own career and stay active in the business? “It’s my sanity,” she told us. “The fact that I can enjoy going home. It’s not the glitz and the glamour that drive me. [Entertaining] is very much a selfless act.” The young thespian admits to thinking about her role model status. “I actually take into account what my grandchildren’s grandchildren are going to watch me do, but at the same time, I do what I think is fun.” Still, she has some advice for the confident and hopeful wannabe star Georgia Chamberlain: “It doesn’t get any easier, sweetheart.”Black Swan          Sanctum           The Rite       Battle: Los Angeles