It's an all-too-common story for former child stars. After years of being known as a promising, young talent leaving a mark on Hollywood, a more adult version of them emerges with a very different public reputation -- one of a troubled, fractured celebrity that seems to be heading for a downward spiral, both personally and professionally.
Some young people falter under the microscope of fame, but one actress and singer who has managed to escape this fate is 28-year-old Raven-Symoné.
In 1989, the pint-sized starlet joined the cast of "The Cosby Show" at the age of 3, before going on to appear in films and star in her own Disney sitcom, "That's So Raven." For nearly two decades, Raven grew up in the public eye, but managed to keep herself out of trouble. A big reason why, she tells Oprah during this weekend's episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", comes down to her parents.
"My parents taught me to keep my private life private, to the best of my ability," Raven says in the above video. "They showed me all the role models out there that I could turn into and what I want for myself in the future."
As Raven's parents were encouraging her to make smart choices, Raven also saw what happened to her peers who didn't have (or didn't appreciate) that same guidance. She's seen person after person fall into the former-child-star stereotype, but doesn't have any sympathy for those who continue to appear all over the tabloids.
"What I've learned is it's unnecessary to go to the most popular restaurant in the world when you have a scandal on your head, and then get mad when someone's going to take a picture of you," Raven says simply. "That's your fault, Boo-Boo. Stay in the house."
Raven-Symoné's full conversation with Oprah, during which she also discusses her sexuality, airs on "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" this Sunday, October 5, at 9 p.m. ET on OWN.
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