Raven-Symoné is returning to The View nearly a decade after leaving the daytime talk show, bringing renewed attention to the controversial remarks that once placed her at the centre of a heated debate about race and discrimination.
The 40-year-old actress will serve as a guest co-host on Thursday, 15 October, and Friday, 16 October, joining the programme as it celebrates its 30th season. Her return comes years after comments about refusing to hire someone based on their name sparked widespread criticism.
During her original stint, the former That's So Raven star made headlines after declaring, 'I'm not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea.' The remark prompted accusations that she was endorsing discriminatory hiring practices, despite the discussion being about racial assumptions associated with names.
Her return offers another opportunity for audiences to revisit the controversy and consider how the actress has reflected on her experience in live television.
Raven-Symoné's 'Pro Discrimination' Remark Sparked Backlash
The controversy erupted in October 2015 during a discussion on The View about a study examining how Americans make assumptions about people based on their names.
After the panel discussed a viral video listing names labelled as 'ghetto', Raven-Symoné said she preferred the word 'discriminatory' to 'racist' and admitted she was discriminatory towards certain names.
'I'm not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea. It's just not going to happen. I'm not going to hire you,' she said.
The comments drew criticism on social media, with detractors arguing that judging job applicants by their names could reinforce racial stereotypes and unfair employment practices.
The episode became one of the most controversial moments of her tenure on the show, which regularly features debates about social issues and popular culture.
Why Raven-Symoné Left 'The View'
Raven-Symoné officially joined the panel in June 2015 after several guest appearances. However, she departed in 2016 to develop and star in Raven's Home, the Disney Channel follow-up to her popular sitcom.
Her exit came after a period marked by heated discussions and criticism of some of her on-air opinions. However, her departure was linked to her plans for the Disney series, rather than being publicly established as a direct consequence of the hiring controversy.
Looking back, Raven-Symoné has acknowledged that working on live television changed how she approached expressing her opinions.
During an October 2024 appearance on Sherri, she joked that the experience taught her 'to shut the hell up', before clarifying that she was not being serious.
She also explained that she initially approached the programme as though she were having a casual conversation with friends, only to realise that millions of viewers were watching.
'You really do have to mold how you say things,' she said, reflecting on the challenges of live television and how clips can be interpreted outside their original context.
What to Expect From Her Return
Raven-Symoné's upcoming appearances will place her back at the Hot Topics table alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
She will also appear with her wife, Miranda Maday, on the show's companion podcast, Behind the Table.
The reunion forms part of The View's 30th-season celebrations, which have included appearances by former co-hosts Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, Lisa Ling, and Sherri Shepherd.
Whether her return produces further controversial moments remains to be seen. For now, it brings a familiar face back to a programme where outspoken opinions have long been central to its identity.
