RAVEN SYMONE

Raven-Symoné To Be Honored With Icon Award At 2023 Truth Awards

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Sunday, March 4th marks the ninth annual Truth Awards, with Raven-Symoné set to receive the 2023 Icon Award. The 37-year-old actress is being recognized for her commitment to family programming and LGBTQ advocacy, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Initiated by the Diva Foundation and Better Brothers Los Angeles, the Truth Awards honors Black LGBTQ+ members and allies. Specifically, the ceremony shines a light on stars who’ve used their platform to embrace and advocate for their identity.

The Icon Award will add to Symoné’s impressive list of acclamations. Previously recognized for her work in The Cosby Show and That’s So Raven, the Georgia-born star has racked up five trophies from the NAACP Image Awards. In addition, Symoné has earned two Daytime Emmy nominations for her work on The View.

Symoné’s Star Continues To Rise

Raven Symone attends 28th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards at Millennium Biltmore Hotel on June 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)

The Disney Channel alum will receive her recognition at the 2023 Truth Awards, which will be hosted in Hollywood, CA. Sheryl Lee Ralph, the founder of the DIVA foundation, gave a statement about the ceremony. “The Truth Awards, along with our acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, will encourage, inspire and motivate others to live their truth unapologetically,” she wrote.

“It’s important that we focus on supporting our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community as they continue to fight for equality. Our public acknowledgment and partnership make it possible for them to live out loud and openly for the world to see.” The ceremony will be led by Pose actress and transgender rights advocate Angelica Ross. Joining her are Cocktails With Queens host Claudia Jordan and news anchor Marcus Washington.

Raven Speaks Her Truth to Oprah

Despite her industry-shaking success in her early career roles, Symoné received backlash after a 2014 interview with Opera Winfrey. During their discussion, the actress reflected, “I don’t want to be labeled gay, I want to be labeled a human who loves humans.” She continued to expand, “I’m an American; I’m not an African-American. I’m an American.” Even with Winfrey warning her of the criticism she would likely face for the comments, Symoné stood with her truth.

The 2023 Truth Awards will be recognizing Bryon Perkins, the first openly gay HBCU football player, with the Courage Award. Additionally, The Upshaws (created by Wanda Skyes and Regina Hicks) will receive the Cultural Affirmation Award. The STARZ network will also be honored with the Corporate Diversity & Leadership Award for 2023. To keep up with the hottest pop culture news, don’t forget to check out HNHH.

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‘The Eric Andre Show’ Confirmed for New Season Featuring Lil Yachty, Jon Hamm, Blac Chyna, Waka Flocka, and More

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Image via Adult Swim

Cardi B Officiates A Same-Sex Marriage In The Latest Episode Of ‘Cardi Tries’

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Getty Image

Cardi B’s adventurous Facebook Watch series Cardi Tries has returned for a second season and in the latest episode, the “WAP” rapper tries her hand at wedding planning and officiating for a same-sex couple with the help of actress Raven-Symoné. Ahead of the episode’s premiere, Uproxx shared an exclusive preview in which Cardi gets choked up at seeing the decorations for the wedding and declares, “I want to get married… again!” Now that the episode is out, we can see how she handles the other part: actually officiating the wedding.

In the clip, Cardi pops out to surprise one of the brides as well as the wedding guests. “I want to thank you guys for making me a part of your beautiful journey,” Cardi tells the couple in a clip that made its way to Twitter. Cardi also made sure to note to her followers that she did get officially licensed, calling it “such a fulfilling thing to do” and admitting that she was “sooo starstruck” at meeting Raven.

Cardi says during the episode that she and Offset got married at home, leaving her wanting “the whole dress and the whole cake and everything,” so perhaps she and her rapper husband will find an occasion to celebrate with the big blowout she’s always wanted.

You can watch the new episode of Cardi Tries here.

Cardi B Gets Teary-Eyed While Planning A Wedding With Raven-Symoné On A New ‘Cardi Tries’ Episode

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Watch Together

Cardi B’s vibrant personality deserves a chance to shine outside of music, and indeed, it has been afforded those opportunities. Aside from her various TV appearances over the years, in 2020, she launched her own show, Cardi Tries __, on Facebook Watch, Messenger, and Instagram’s Watch Together platform. As the title suggests, on the program, Cardi takes a stab at a number of different activities from outside of her usual wheelhouse.

The show is alive and well, and a new episode premieres today, in which Cardi teams up with Raven-Symoné to marry a same-sex couple; The episode arrives shortly ahead of National Coming Out Day on October 11 (which is also Cardi’s birthday). In an exclusive clip, Raven-Symoné shows Cardi some different options for flower and table arrangements. While looking at them, Cardi was so moved by the displays that she got emotional and started crying. While trying to compose herself, she said, “I want to get married… again!”

Elsewhere in the episode, Cardi and Raven-Symoné help a lucky person named Brandi plan a surprise wedding for their significant other, Shannon. Furthermore, Cardi herself actually officiates the ceremony, thanks to the power vested in her by the state of California (and an online class).

Check out the exclusive Cardi Tries clip above and find the full episode here. The show is available to enjoy using the Watch Together feature, which allows viewers to watch shows, movies, and other sorts of content with friends in real time on Facebook Watch, Messenger, and Instagram.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.