QQ. What attracted you to your role in Revenge of the Bridesmaids?
Raven-Symoné: Well the main thing that attracted me to her is her age, and the way she portrays herself. She’s a
published author and she’s very down-to-earth, very smart with her quips. She is the type of person who says
things that most people would be afraid to say. She’s just real. That’s kind of who I am when I close my door
and I’m no longer “Raven-Symoné.” I’m just at my house chillin. It was fun to play that kind of character rather than
some chipper, bubbly teenager. It was good.
Q. Name one of your more memorable experiences working on Revenge of the Bridesmaids.
Raven-Symoné: A memorable experience would have to be probably getting dirty. In one of the very ends of the
movie, JoAnna [Garcia], myself, and Chryssie [Whitehead], we all got to roll around in mud. It’s so funny because
we realized how “bougie” we all were. JoAnna and I were like, “This is real mud!” We’re used to fake dirt, here in
Hollywood. They were like, “No this is real mud. We’re in Louisiana.” I was like, “Oh, my goodness.”
We were in these dresses rolling around in mud and it was in my wig at the time, I was just like, “Oh my God,
what’s going on.” JoAnna was like, “My hair, my facial!” I was like we need to obviously get back to real life
because we’re asking for fake dirt. We’ve been in the industry for too long.
Q. It sounds like from what you were just saying how well you got along with JoAnna. Was it instant chemistry working with her or did you guys need
a little time to gel?
Raven-Symoné: Well, I have to say I give props to the casting director of this movie. The first read-through everyone was like, I understand how this
movie is coming along. You’re this character, aren’t you? They’re like, “Yes, how did you know?” I’m like, “You just embody it.” It was perfect
casting to me, personally. So no, we didn’t need a whole bunch of time.
Actually the first night the whole entire cast all went out and had dinner, bonded, chilled in New Orleans. The second night the same thing and
throughout the movie you have dinner and actually that’s very rare when you’re doing a movie, especially when you know you’re not going to be
working with that person after a certain amount of time every day like you are for the month that it took us to film. It was actually cool how fast
we actually did connect.
Q. It looks really cute. The movie looks really adorable. I especially love the promotional material with you holding the flowers like bring it!
Why will people want to take their time to tune in and watch the movie?
Raven-Symoné: I think people will want to take their time and watch the movie because it’s something that your daughter, your mother, your
grandmother love to watch together. It’s funny. It’s exciting. It’s something new. You get to learn how to ruin someone’s wedding, not that
anybody should ever do that, but it’s also fun to have those tools up your sleeve just in case.
Q. So I chatted a little with JoAnna last week, and she mentioned that one of her favorite scenes to shoot was when you were spitting the
Jordan almonds back into the bag and she mentioned that was something that wasn’t scripted. So I’m wondering how much you got to ad-lib
on the film as a whole and if you really enjoy coming up with your own stuff as shooting progresses.
Raven-Symoné: Well I have to say we had a wonderful director, Jim Hayman, who let us work out our character quirks beforehand so we were
ready to shoot and embody the characters 100%. We actually had a really good time filming that scene. I had to like spit it and one time I
slammed into her aisle, it’s like I love you because you’re taking my nasty little almond. It was great. I would love to work with her again.
We did have moments where we were able to just go for it. There is a scene in a hallway with the evil mother who I’m like going after and
about to tackle. All of that is kind of brought in the moment, but that is able to come in the moment because of the people around us.
Q. What was one of the more fun pranks that you guys got to pull on the bride, for you as an actor shooting the actual scenes?
Raven-Symoné: I liked shooting the scene inside of the truck. Actually it’s a very small scene, but it was a hot day and I was in heels in
a truck that they were shaking! We all bonded, even though it was one of the last days, I think that was definitely another bonding
moment for all the girls because you just really saw us on our A-game in that scene, especially when we were filming. I like that when
we had to make her drink tea and she didn’t want to. I had fun working with them on that scene.
Q. What is it about comedy that appeals to you more than other genres?
Raven-Symoné: That I get to act as stupid as I want to and people laugh. That’s interesting to me, and that I don’t have to be Miss
Prissy-Prissy all the time because I am acting crazy. I admire every other genre and maybe one day I will tackle them. I have
dabbled here and there, but I think being underneath people like Bill Cosby and Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence and
Mark Curry, that I enjoy comedy.
So many people now-a-days we’re all stressed, we’re, Oh my goodness is this happening, natural disasters here, this is painful,
my life is this. I just want for somebody to watch what I do and just forget about the problems for that 30 minutes or an hour, or
two hours and smile you know? Just smile for a second, it’s so much nicer than crying about stuff.
Q. Have you ever been a bridesmaid in real life?
Raven-Symoné: I was a junior bridesmaid at Holly Robinson-Peete’s wedding, so I wasn’t able to really fully understand what
was going on, I just knew that I got to get my hair and makeup done and I didn’t have to be in front of the cameras so I thought
that was kind of cool.
Q. You mentioned about your weave getting dirty in the mud, and I saw you on the … good hair, I want to know what your
favorite hairstyle is?
Raven-Symoné: You mean in general?
Q. Yes.
Raven-Symoné: My favorite hairstyle is the one that I have that’s underneath my wigs and weaves. I just have a little short kind
of astro-boy cut right now trying to grow out. I like something that is easy and simple because normally I just like to wear my
hair wet and curly, shave my sides so I can have a little spunk and call it a day. I had a little Brittany moment where I cut all my
hair off, not down to the bone, just like enough to grab for a weave and I’m growing it back now so it’s good. I like short hair.
Q. I also wanted to ask when you filmed For One Night, what you really felt about that role and that story.
Raven-Symoné: Wow, For One Night, I felt that it was actually in a good way it sickened me that stuff like this keeps going on.
It sickened me so much to where I put my I’m only doing comedy aside and tackling something with some drama. I was able
to tell a story that should actually not have to be told, especially in this day and age. Now that more and more stories are
coming out of the rural high schools dealing with the gay and lesbian community, or racism, I will forever tackle stories like that
as well because that’s ridiculous. We are in 2010; we need to get over it. Hello? We have a phone that can visually see
people face to face, I think we can get over what color we are or what sex we like. I think we need to get over it.
Q. You’re in TV series, major movies, and teen TV movies, so how do you find that they differ for you?
Raven-Symoné: How do I find what?
Q. That filming each sort of medium you do like TV series, major movies, and TV movies differ for you when filming them?
Raven-Symoné: Oh, well the TV which has always been one of my loves is mostly in terms of some of the characters, the
difference is the people behind the scenes for me. With a TV series you get to engage with people for hopefully longer than
if your show doesn’t get canceled and you can create a camaraderie and play off people for years to come. They become
part of your family. I still talk to people from The Cosby Show, Hanging with Mr. Cooper, and That’s So Raven.
With TV movies you have to bond quickly, but create something that is a moment in time and something that people can just
pop in real quick and say that was such a cool story, okay next. With movies it’s the same thing, so I get different things out of it.
Q. We’ve seen the commercial, but how was it for your having your mug shot taken for the film?
Raven-Symoné: It was funny, when we were doing the mug shot I told everybody maybe I should send this in to TMZ and somebody
fall through the camera. I’d be famous like now-a-days, but I guess no, that’s not what I want. I was good, I didn’t send it in. I’m
glad it’s just for the movie. I’ve never been arrested; thank goodness that it’s not something to get popularity off of – ever.
Q. As someone who’s been in the industry for a while now, what do you think the industry looks like? What do you think Hollywood
looks like for people of color, young actors who are people of color, in terms of roles? Are the roles there, or are we better off now?
Are we still going through some of the same things that actors of previous generations have gone through in terms of finding a role?
What does the landscape look like?
Raven-Symoné: I think it’s much better than previously because we’re able to do more in-depth roles when they do show up, which
is very rare. Actually both of your questions hopefully I answered in that. I think that this industry now thank goodness, gives us
more opportunity to create roles ourselves from them and create projects that we can be proud of and not only lean on the
shoulders of others depending on what route of a career you want to take.
At the same time, it’s very difficult because certain routes lead to look a certain way for you might not always be up for them, but
there are people like … and Halle Barry and so many others that have been able to kind of keep on knocking the doors that
classic women have knocked on for so many years. Yes, they’re still there but I think slowly but surely we’re chiseling away.
We have to realize that it’s up to us to kind of make a stand and if you have a problem with it or if you don’t like something or wish
to see something it’s still up to the people who are watching. If you don’t like something on TV, don’t watch it. Don’t leave your
on it. Write in if you want to see someone write it. Write in, don’t just blindly watch something just because someone says it’s
cool but then you don’t like it. I think a lot of people forget that no matter if your TV is on, people are still counting the ratings
even if you’re not watching it.
Q. I see that part of Revenge of the Bridesmaids was done in Louisiana and I’m curious, I know that a lot of rebuilding has been
going on in Louisiana in an effort to kind of help rebuild the economy, that’s one of the ways to rebuild the economy for example.
So I was curious if there was any direct correlation between your shoot in Louisiana and that rebuilding effort throughout the state?
Raven-Symoné: I think that that’s definitely a question for the producers and the director. I didn’t get to produce this movie, sadly.
I think in the back of everyone’s mind knowing the different breaks that you get filming the movie there and knowing what it can
bring to the city; people are definitely flocking to there. It’s like the new little Hollywood. That’s definitely a question for the
producers.
Being able to film in New Orleans was an experience that I can talk about, seeing the damage that Katrina has made still being there
and at the forefront for the city is kind of, not kind of, it’s very sad. After so many years you would think that America would fix it up
a little bit more so that you’re still not seeing broken buildings and kids having to grow up in that environment. I think that’s again up
to the public, so we’ll see.
Q. What was it like having JoAnna as your partner in crime?
Raven-Symoné: I adore that girl. She is hilarious, funny, smart, ambitious, and she made me laugh out loud sometimes because I
don’t do that a lot. I normally chuckle, I normally say oh that’s funny, ha ha, but she actually got me a few times and I admire that.
That’s hard to do. She’s really good. I enjoyed working with her.
Q. Now, hypothetically, if you were in Abigail’s position, how far would you go to ruin a wedding?
Raven-Symoné: I probably wouldn’t go to jail only because of what my parents would say. I don’t really need one of those as my
head shot right now. How far would I go? I definitely would if I knew the bride was as conniving as the bride is in the movie I
probably would get something on film. I probably would try my best to behind the scenes break it up. I probably wouldn’t mess up
the wedding itself because I know how much money goes into one. I’d be like, ooh sweetheart I’m sorry, that is not a tax break. I
definitely would try my hardest because I don’t think anyone should go into a situation that is that serious without knowing some
of the truth.
Q. We’ve watched the movie here and we watched the movie in the ABC Family offices and we all started talking about it. We all
started talking about funny stories that have happened to us in weddings and we wanted to know if you have any funny stories that
have happened to you at a wedding that you attended?
Raven-Symoné: Sadly I’ve only attended one wedding in my life where I was a junior bridesmaid. I was like nine maybe, and I don’t
really have any. You know what’s the funniest thing? Any please, this is not a pity story, I actually like this – is that I never went to
prom, but I did a movie about a prom. I was never a bridesmaid, but I did a movie about it. That’s how my life is right now and I think
it’s kind of funny because the stories that I pick are fun to portray. So, no, I don’t have a funny story for you, I’m sorry.
Q. How did you prepare for the role of Abigail Scanlon?
Raven-Symoné: I made sure that I didn’t watch anything with teens in it. It’s funny, I have to explain that. Right before I do a movie I
have to get into the age bracket and normally with the roles that I’ve done prior to pretty much all of my life has always been bubbly
and exciting and young and fun. I was like, wait a second, I get to watch like an older-based movie before I film to get into the mood
of what’s going on. I definitely didn’t even eat peanut M&Ms because I needed my energy to be a little lower not as chipper as a
teenager. I just was myself kind of. I just took out the bubble out of it and went about my business actually, surprisingly.
Q. I think it’s great that you’re going to be in a new movie again, but since you’ve done TV shows in the past, I was wondering if
you ever had a chance to do another one in the future or what type of show would you want to do? I know you like comedy, but
have you ever imagined what type of show that you would love to be a part of?
Raven-Symoné: I guess I would say two shows that I would love to do, a female version of The Odd Couple – old school show and
another version of That Girl. Those would be two dream shows and hopefully, well I shouldn’t say hopefully, right now I have a couple
of scripts that I’m going out with to pitch to see if I will get another show and it’s looking pretty good, so we’ll see what happens.
Q. Since you’ve been in the business for so long I’m sure you’ve met a lot of different types of fans that you’ve had. What’s one of
your craziest fan moments or encounters?
Raven-Symoné: Someone asked to marry me like randomly. That was kind of interesting especially because my dad was standing
right there. I was like, I don’t know him, Dad. I don’t know who this is. I have wonderful supporters, none of them have ever like tried
to kill me, or anything crazy so that’s good. I’m okay.
Q. So the idea of frenemy is featured in this movie. Why are frenemies usually associated only with females? We don’t get too
many frenemies in guys.
Raven-Symoné: I don’t know why guys are so cool about that. I think that is something that we’re still trying to figure out why girls
are frenemies to each other. It’s jealousy; pick an emotion, girls just have it all the time forever, forever, forever. Maybe that’s why
I don’t have a lot of girlfriends. I have two friends that are girls, all my other friends are guys and I couldn’t have it any other way.
I can’t even explain it to you. I don’t know what it is. It’s in our genes, we’re just weird sometimes.
Q. You’d be considered as part of young Hollywood, how have you been able to avoid any of the negative aspects of press, and
I’m sure it’s all over the place so how have you been able to stray away from all that?
Raven-Symoné: Stay in my house. Don’t do anything crazy outside of it. If I see a camera I drive to the police station. That’s
how. My family is so involved with my life and my mom calls me if somebody else does something. She’s like “Don’t you dare
do this!” I’m like “What are you talking about? I’m not even like in the same city as that person.” “Don’t you do it!” I’m like, “I
didn’t do anything, Mom.” She’s one of those, so I don’t think I’ll ever do anything crazy that people will know about. It’s all in
the privacy of my own house.
Q. How do you feel that you and Abigail are alike and different?
Raven-Symoné: I feel that Abigail and I are similar in the sense that we speak our mind, we kind of watch everything that’s
going on, and in a very soft way tell the truth so that people think that we’re on their side when we’re actually like, you are
crazy. Then differently I think I can be a little bit more politically correct than she is. I know how to turn it off and she
doesn’t really know how to turn it off. Thank goodness for that. Yes.
Q. If you had to give a specific piece of advice to an aspiring young actor or actress, what would it be?
Raven-Symoné: It would be that this is a job. The things that you’re seeing now-a-days that Hollywood portrays is fluff.
There is work to be done. It’s not about how cute you are all the time, what you’re wearing. There are contracts, there
are meetings, and it’s fun because you get to understand the business aspect of it, but you have to realize that when
you get into the industry. Sleepless nights, hard work, phone calls, this is a job and never forget that.
Q. I was wondering what it was like growing up on sets?
Raven-Symoné: I’m still growing up so it is interesting growing up around adults and taking on a lot of different responsibilities
at a young age and especially before I turned 18 having to go to school and passing with good grades; to my parents that
means A’s. Also having to know all of your lines and be funny, it’s a lot of work. It definitely grows you up fast, but I wouldn’t
have my life any other way. I don’t regret it. I went to public school and I was on the set with amazing talented people that I
couldn’t even dream of anything better. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It was cool.
Q. Of all of the roles that you’ve played, what has been your favorite character to play?
Raven-Symoné: I think it would have to be Raven Baxter only because I got to play so many characters within that show as
well. I got to play a cow – random – I don’t know how to invoke a cow’s funniness, but that happened. I got to play all kinds
of different guys. I got to play all kinds of different girls, old women, young babies, so it was fun to be able to do all of that. I
have to pick her.
Q. So ABC Family movies, as you know also being part of Disney always have such a nice message along with all the fun,
just curious what you thought, kind of the main message of Revenge of the Bridesmaids besides all the silliness.
Raven-Symoné: I think the main message is to be loyal to your friends. You have to be very loyal and if you’re there for them
they’ll be there for you.
Q. Also, with the directors and producers from a bunch of different shows, including everybody in Drop Dead Diva, and I think
it was Sorority Wars and Beauty and the Briefcase, they all have a very similar very positive female message behind those.
Did any of those shows kind of pop up as an influence while you were filming the movie?
Raven-Symoné: Yes and no. I think that with each project we all try to bring some type of new element to it. With a list like
you named, and everyone – those have been very popular shows I think we can’t help but to add aspects of them. Girl
empowerment shows are always going to have similar feelings because it’s a good feeling.
Q. I was wondering you’ve been in the industry again for over 20 years, what have you learned about yourself as an actress?
Raven-Symoné: I’ve learned that I have so much more to learn actually. There are genres that I haven’t tackled that other
people believe that I can that I personally haven’t been comfortable enough to tackle. Maybe one day I will when I’m ready to
reach that – I’ve actually been able to touch it, but I was too scared to jump over it. I’m still growing and I have a lot more to
do; that’s what I’ve learned.
Q. How comfortable are you in getting political? Do you ever want to use your fame to maybe stand up for something you
strongly believe in like your mentor Bill Cosby?
Raven-Symoné: I do stand up for certain things that I do believe in. I think that with politics it’s such a weird road because
you never know who’s right and who’s wrong. People are very tip-toeish. All I can do is say what I believe, whether it’s
politically correct or not, and I don’t really care so therefore, that’s why until I find something that I am 100% sure on like
the March of Dimes, like the Aviva House, like Girls, Inc., like Boys Hope, Girls Hope; things of that nature, I speak on
until I’m ready to actually go forth.
It’s also right now, like I said, I’m learning. A lot of people my age and younger there is not really a great outlet to understand
fully what’s going on politically. We’re not gung-ho about going and reading about it ourselves, we want somebody to help us
learn so before I know all the angles I probably won’t talk about it, but eventually I will.
Q. I wanted to know what you like doing for your hobbies.
Raven-Symoné : I like playing video games. I like fishing. I like going to the gun range; I show dogs. Well, I personally
don’t show dogs but my doggies are show dogs; they’re so cute they’re mini poodles. I like decorating my house.
Q. If you could not act anymore in the future, what would you like to do?
Raven-Symoné: I’d probably be a chef or an interior designer.
