Raven-Symone: The Festiva Interview

Raven-Symone is untouchable.

She's the face of a multi-million dollar franchise which includes a hit television show, platinum albums and coast-to-coast touring. (Click here to read about what she's doing on Friday)

At 22 she's added producer to her repertoire and continues to make marks with tween audiences everywhere.

If you have kids, chances are you've heard all about the former star of both That's So Raven and The Cheetah Girls. If not, just know that the pint-sized girl from The Cosby Show is all grown up.

Festiva got the chance to speak with Raven-Symone via cell phone a day before she embarked on a grueling press tour for her latest movie College Road Trip which she produced and starred alongside with funnyman Martin Lawrence released this week. The singer/actress/producer talked about her new self-titled album, what it's like living in Hollyweird and dealing with the constant scrutiny over body image and staying out of the tabloids.

Raven-Symone

• with special guest B5 and Missy's Modeling Studio
• WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.
• WHERE: Dodge Arena
• COST: $79, $59, $49, $34, $24 (plus facility and convenience fees)

Let's talk about your new album...How do you prepare for the studio or to lay down your tracks?

First of all I get me some peppermint tea and a Riccola and sit down with the writer and producer. We talk on the phone before about what they want to do with the album. They create the track and the writer and I talk. On other albums I did co-write but this album I didn't write, but definitely gave my input. And then lay the tracks in two days.

You've worked with some hot shot producers (Sean Garrett - Fergie, Beyonce and The Clutch - Timbaland, Ciara) who have worked with anyone who's anyone. How do you tell them that you're not really into something?

Just be honest. And say that's not who I really am. These people who work with such different personalities they have to know who you are before they walk into the room. And I think that has made them so successful, they know how to work with different people.

So you're not intimidated at all.

Not at all.

You wear a lot of hats in your career. Rank touring, acting and producing, starting with your favorite?I can't really rank them. I just started producing so I really love that now. So everything else is tied for second. I know eventually they'll all rank at No. 1.

Are you a workaholic?

I am. I thought I was actually lazy. My mom called me up the other day and said, "Take a vacation!" I was like, "No, no!" I don't like sitting on my couch.

How do you get people to take you seriously and not only as the little girl from The Cosby Show? You're a grown up now.

I still got a couple years ‘til I'm a grown up [laughs] First of all I'm young and an African-American woman. It's very delicate when you walk into a room. You have to know when to listen, when to speak up. You have to survey the room. When my mom and dad were running my career we'd be in the meeting and they would say, "don't say anything." It worked and I understood. I could say things but I knew when to.

Do you have a temper? A lot of young people speak out of turn or don't know how to take a step back. How do you calm yourself, do you talk to yourself, does your assistant help?

How do you know I talk to myself? I do have a temper [laughs]. I have myself and people around me to calm me. And I have my parents to remind me that this is just a job. Trust me my mom calls me everday and definitely brings me back down to earth.

What type of pressure are you under?

To look a certain way. I get bombarded. Whether it's on TV or on the Internet. ‘Oh she's too big.' And then I meet people everyday who say, ‘thank you. It's because of you that I can feel good about myself.' It's not about being skinny or fat. It's about being healthy. I know that I work out and eat healthy and I know what I need to lose or tighten up. But (the pressure) is definitely the weight issue. But everybody has their ups and downs. So many people stay a certain way but everyone fluctuates.

At 22 you're at an age where it's OK to be sexy, as opposed to Miley Cyrus who is just 15. How do you find a balance and still be sexy?

It's either legs or chest. Pick one. If I wear a short skirt I'll wear a turtle neck. If not, I'll show some cleavage. Hey, they gotta breath too. I wasn't allowed to wear certain things. You have to survey your audience. If you feel comfortable that's fine. It's weird, in middle school I wore suits and Banana Republic and now that I should be wearing that I'm telling my mom I want to wear a tutu on stage and be crazy on stage. She's like, ‘what?'

Being crazy on stage is cool...offstage, not so much. How have you managed to stay out of the tabloids and with a very respectable reputation?

I keep my business to myself and I don't go where I see paparazzi. Don't get it twisted, I party, I go out and have a good time. The thing is I don't want to answer to my mom. The thought of embarrassing my parents...no way. If I drink I get someone to drive or if I'm not drinking I'll drive.

Any advice for Britney Spears? Or any of these young stars who don't have it figured out just yet? (for the record, Raven-Symone and Lindsay Lohan have never shared an apartment or have a had a social relationship)

That's their life. I don't have a right to judge them. There are so many people that are going through what they're going through. I don't want to force myself or my beliefs on anyone.

So what does Raven-Symone do to just chill?

I craft. I paint, I'm learning French. And just chill at home and watch Showtime, South Park. Most of all just craft.

(Check out www.ravensymonepresents.com for all of those how to's and craft ideas).

And what's your ultimate weakness...something you just have to have?

I have to have the newest phone. I got the iphone and the new Blackberry and I don't even know that many people. I have to have it. Oh and I also have the new AT&T Tilt. So I guess electronics are my weakness. I had to have the MAC Book Air, I'm looking at it right now.

Miriam Ramirez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4468.