America is still not over the disturbing allegations against beloved actor Bill Cosby. But almost a decade after the disgraced actor was convicted of rape, his former co-star, Raven-Symoné, explained why she has to separate the art from the artist.
Suggested Reading
She went on the “Hate to Break It to Ya” podcast to talk about how she views her former TV dad after all is said and done. “Separate the creator from the creation,” Symoné said. “And that’s just where I live. The creation changed America. Changed television.”
“The Cosby Show” ran for eight seasons (1984-1992). The series centered around the life of the Cliff Huxtable–played by Cosby– and his family, including Symoné, who played Olivia Kendall. Until the show premiered, there had been zero mainstream representation of an upper middle class Black family. “The Cosby Show” undoubtably shifted how Black Americans were viewed in media and won six Emmy Awards, we previously reported.
Cosby was regarded as America’s TV dad until he was accused of drugging and raping more than 60 women, including supermodel Beverly Johnson and actress Lili Bernard. In 2014, Barbara Bowman, who testified in Andrea Constand’s civil lawsuit against Cosby, wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post which brought previous allegations against the actor to the very forefront.
He was eventually convicted in 2018 following a mistrial in 2017. The court sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years behind bars. “We’re glad that judgment day has finally come for Mr. Cosby,” attorney Gloria Allred said after the conviction. “Mr. Cosby has shown no remorse and there has been no justice for many of the accusers who were barred from a court by the arbitrary time limits imposed by the statute of limitations.”
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania overturned his conviction in 2021 due to a prior agreement with prosecutor Bruce Castor. Even after he was freed, Cosby still faced several lawsuits and allegations which have all effectively tarnished his reputation.
Symoné acknowledged the pain Cosby caused, but said that doesn’t change his impactful legacy. “He’s also been accused of some horrific things,” she added. “That does not excuse, but that’s his personal [life]. So personally, keep that there, and then business-wise, know what he did there as well.”
She continued, “both can live, and I think our culture is right to… Don’t do wrong. Don’t do wrong personally. You just can’t do wrong.”
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.