If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember Raven Baxter and Eddie Thomas as the ultimate best friends. They were the heart of That's So Raven, a show that basically carried Disney Channel on its back for years. But lately, the conversation around Raven-Symoné and Orlando Brown has turned into something way more complicated than childhood nostalgia.
It’s messy. It’s loud. And frankly, it’s a little heartbreaking.
For a long time, people just assumed they were work friends who drifted apart. That happens in Hollywood. But then came the interviews—the viral, "did he really just say that?" kind of clips—that changed everything. Orlando started making wild claims. Raven stayed silent for years. Now, in 2026, we’re finally seeing a clearer picture of where they stand, and it isn't just about a "falling out." It's about how two people handle the aftermath of child stardom in completely opposite ways.
The Tattoo and the Dr. Phil Era
Everything shifted around 2016. That was the year Orlando Brown debuted a massive neck tattoo of Raven’s face.
Yeah. Her whole face. Right on his neck.
It was a jarring image that signaled something was deeply wrong. Shortly after, Orlando went on Dr. Phil, claiming he was the son of Michael Jackson and that Raven was actually in love with him. He even claimed they had a secret child together, whom he named "Omina" in some interviews and other names in others.
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Fans were horrified. Raven-Symoné, who has always been notoriously private, didn't engage. She didn't tweet. She didn't sue. She just... kept living. While she was getting married to Miranda Pearman-Maday and relaunching her career with Raven's Home, Orlando was spiraling through legal troubles and substance abuse struggles.
Why Raven-Symoné Refuses to "Combat" Orlando
You've probably wondered why she doesn't just shut him down. Why not put out a legal statement or a cease-and-desist? Honestly, Raven’s perspective on this is surprisingly empathetic, even if she keeps her distance.
In a recent 2025 interview on the Hate to Break It to Ya podcast, Raven finally opened up. She called Orlando the "unhinged Katt Williams of his generation." It sounds like a dig, but she meant it as a weird compliment. She thinks he’s a comedic genius who knows exactly how to bait an audience.
"Some of the things he says, I'm not mad at him for. You have to know how to bait people, tell the truth, and leave on a button. He does that perfectly." — Raven-Symoné
She basically admitted that while his delivery is wild, there’s a kernel of "industry truth" in his rants about how Hollywood treats kids. She’s essentially saying: I know the person behind the persona, and I'm not going to fight a man who is clearly going through it.
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She also noted that she knew him "before drugs, after drugs, and during God." That’s a heavy line. It shows a level of history that most fans can’t touch. They aren’t just co-stars; they were kids who grew up in a pressure cooker together.
The Rumors vs. The Reality
Let’s talk about the "secret relationship" rumors. Orlando has claimed multiple times that they were romantically involved during their Disney days.
Was it true?
Raven has mostly "pleaded the fifth." She did mention in a Reddit-circulated interview snippet that when she was 18, she was "dealing with Orlando" and had more things to worry about than competing with Miley Cyrus. Does "dealing with" mean dating? Or does it mean managing a difficult co-star who was already starting to struggle?
She’s never confirmed a sexual relationship. In fact, she’s hinted that many of his stories would need to be "corroborated" by her—and she isn't corroborating.
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What most people get wrong:
- They aren't "enemies": Raven has explicitly said she still has love for him. She just wants him to "keep her name out of his mouth."
- The "Secret Baby": There is zero evidence for this. Orlando’s stories about their supposed child change every time he tells them.
- The Falling Out: It wasn't one big fight. It was a slow divergence where one person stayed in the industry "machine" and the other fell out of it.
Orlando’s "Attack Era" and 2026 Update
Lately, Orlando has been trying to pivot. He’s been linked to a chicken franchise venture in Arizona called Orlando Brown's Million Dollar Chicken. It’s a bit of a left turn, but it’s a sign he’s trying to build something outside of the gossip circuit.
But the "attack era" Raven mentioned hasn't fully stopped. He still does interviews where he cries about her or claims she was "prostituted" by the industry. It’s heavy, dark stuff. Raven’s response has been to stay "secure in her bank account and her life." She’s basically decided that protecting her peace is more important than "winning" an argument with someone who might not be in their right mind.
It’s a masterclass in boundaries.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the Raven and Orlando Saga
What can we actually take away from this? It’s more than just celebrity gossip. It’s a look at how trauma and fame manifest differently in different people.
- Silence is a valid response. You don't owe the public a defense against every lie told about you. Raven’s refusal to engage kept the fire from growing.
- Separate the talent from the struggle. Raven still calls Orlando a "genius" despite his behavior. You can acknowledge someone's skill while acknowledging they are unhealthy.
- The "Disney Curse" is complicated. It’s not just about "going wild." It’s about the lack of support systems for kids who become the primary breadwinners for their families at age 12.
If you’re looking to support Orlando, the best thing is often to stop clicking on the "crash out" interviews. The more we watch the "unhinged" content, the more the industry rewards that behavior. Support his actual work—the music or the new business ventures—rather than the viral moments that clearly cost him his peace.
For Raven, she’s busy living her best life with her wife and continuing her legacy. She’s moved on. Maybe it’s time the internet does too.
Check out the latest episodes of The Raven Council or her podcast appearances if you want to see her current vibe. She’s much more focused on the future than the ghosts of 2003.