Many of us who have young adults at home are probably familiar with actress Raven Goodwin who is well known for her sassy role as feisty, quick-witted Tangie of Just Jordon, (Lil J.J.'s cousin Tangie). Raven was recently featured in the April 12th, 2010 issue of People Magazine, and can currenlty be seen as Ivy on Disney's "Good Luck Charlie". Currently she's in production on ABC Family's "HUGE," an original scripted series set to premiere on Monday, June 28 at 9:00 PM ET/PT. The show focuses on seven teens from different backgrounds attending a weight loss camp as they embark on their individual journeys of self discovery.
Though Raven has been blessed with great roles, it's no secret that she's the go to girl for 'meatier' roles. Unfortunately, there's a dual meaning there indicative of Raven's talent yes, and her ability to give her all be it drama or comedy. But, she's grown up on TV and Film either portraying a younger heavy version of an actress dealing with the same issue, weight, body image as a younger Oscar award winning Monique in Phat Girlz, a younger Oprah on 30 Rock, or the heavier 'best' friend, or the stereotype most often assigned to overweight teens, as school bully.
Now, she's confronting her battle head on as art imitates life in ABC Family's "Huge", where she plays Becca, an overweight teen in a weight loss camp. She's also ready to discuss her weight and her new work out regimen with her personal trainer, intimately with her fans. It's her belief that physical conditioning plays apart of our emotional conditioning as well. Thefore, she's open to discussing her weight and her new work out regimen with her personal trainer, intimately with other teens.
Prefacing her decision to allow FeSaad an intimate interview regarding childhood obesity, specifically, her own struggles with weight, the native Washington, DC actress says she thinks First Lady Michelle Obama's announcement a few months ago about putting together a task force to fight childhood obesity is both timely and well overdue. "I'm grateful that she's concerned enough about the health of young people to actually start a task force." The actress goes on to say, " Seeing her speak so passionately about something so personal to me; something constantly at the forefront in my day to day life helped me to open myself up to discuss weight openly. She's been such an inspiration to me. Such a task force with someone over it as a team of people who have the power and ability to take a look at food preparation, preservatives, farming, school physical programs, or neighborhood recreation programs and things overall to this degree, is certainly overdue."
With all of her success, Raven has been the target of some very hurtful comments from fans in regards to her weight, being called fat, and other words that could otherwise be detrimental to persons self esteem when dealing with childhood obesity. However, she's chosen to push forward even when it's difficult to find the 'right' outfit for a sweet sixteen, or high school graduation, or even a red carpet event. Still, everyday, she makes a conscious decision to place one foot in front of the other and move. Raven has always been confident about her ability as an actress because of the feed back from casting directors, producers and others, that she pushed through some of the days when comments could have been most harmful.
What does she say about being confronted with such meanness? "Well, they never say I can't act," the actress shares proudly. "Words hurt and could otherwise be detrimental to someone with poor self-esteem, but, fortunately, I'm blessed with a great mother, other family and friends that I've never had to question my own self worth." However, she's chosen to push forward even when it's difficult to find the 'right' outfit for a sweet sixteen, or high school graduation, or even a red carpet event. Still, everyday, she makes a conscious decision to place one foot in front of the other and move. Move physically as in working out, and mentally as in on to her next great thing. Raven adds that, "I have no time to address hatefulness or allow it to overtake me and others in my situation should chose to move on too. I am the future, along with the many others facing not only the health related issues of health, but the emotional issues that struggling with weight brings . This is a grave epidemic that effects not just the individual, but the communities we live in. If we are the ones to carry on as productive leaders, teachers, and all, we need to turn this thing around."
For her part, Raven tells us that she's been working with a personal trainer as her schedule permits. "I own my on accountability in this and I've also changed my eating habits, especially while on set where very often there are so many great food choices."
With all of her success, Raven has experienced very hurtful comments from fans in regards to her weight, being called ulgy, fat, and other words that could otherwise be detrimental to persons self esteem when dealing with childhood obesity. However, she's chosen to push forward even when it's difficult to find the 'right' outfit for a sweet sixteen, or high school graduation, or even a red carpet event. Still, everyday, she makes a conscious decision to place one foot in front of the other and move.
Raven has been acting since she was four years old. She made her feature film debut alongside Dermot Mulroney, Emily Mortimer, Brenda Blethyn, Catherine Keener, and Jake Gyllenhaal, in Nicole Holofcener's independent comedy drama Lovely & Amazing as precocious adopted daughter Annie Marks. Raven received rave reviews as well as an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance.
In 2003, she was seen in Tom McCarthy's independent comedy drama The Station Agent, and in 2008 starred with Boris Kodjoe and LaTanya Richardson in All About Us. Noteworthy for her roles as 'the younger version actress', she played a young Monique in Phat Girlz, and most recently, guest starred as a young Oprah on the NBC hit sitcom, 30 Rock. Raven was also handpicked by the producer to play a precocious young genie (Princess Gingi) in the short film, My Genie, produced by former Fox producer (now at NBC) Dawn Carter of Donlyn Enterprises.
