RAVEN-SYMONE on
'TINKER BELL AND THE GREAT FAIRY RESCUE'

Interview by Michael J. Lee, Executive Editor for RadioFree.com
August 28, 2010

In the CG animated adventure Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, Disney's iconic sprite and her friends venture out from Pixie Hollow to the mainland to work their magic on nature. But when Tinker Bell's irrepressible curiosity gets the best of her, she inadvertently reveals herself to the human world and subsequently befriends a lonely little girl with a vivid imagination named Lizzy. Trapped in Lizzy's room due to a sudden rainstorm that prevents her from flying, Tinker Bell teaches her new companion all there is to know about fairies. Meanwhile, Tink's friends, believing she is in imminent danger, band together to mount a daring rescue mission, using their skills and ingenuity to evade all manner of pitfalls along the way.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is the third feature film in the Disney Fairies line. Mae Whitman returns as the voice of the titular fairy, while Kristin Chenoweth, Lucy Liu, Raven-Symone, Pamela Adlon, Jeff Bennett, Rob Paulsen, and Jesse McCartney reprise their roles as Tink's friends. Michael Sheen joins the cast as Lizzy's logical, science-minded father who, despite being initially critical of his daughter's fanciful daydreams, learns to appreciate her unique outlook on life.

While covering the outdoor world premiere of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, we had the opportunity to speak to Disney Channel favorite Raven-Symone, who starred in the hit series That's So Raven for four seasons. The comedic actress lends her voice to Tinker Bell's friend Iridessa, whose power to manipulate light saves the fairies in one particularly action-packed sequence. In this exclusive interview, Raven talks about working under the Disney banner as well as with her own production company, but not before she energetically greets us with a hug after recognizing us from a previous interview...Which, actually, isn't a bad way to start a Q&A...

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue makes its Disney Blu-ray/DVD debut on September 21!

RadioFree.com: Fans are going to see you back on the Disney Channel soon, right? You're guest starring on Sonny With a Chance?

RAVEN: Yes, that's right! It's airing tomorrow...

Are you reprising your That's So Raven alter ego Raven Baxter?

No. I'm playing a completely different character with Raven Baxter qualities. The writers from That's So Raven are on Sonny With a Chance, so they were like, "Raven, come back!" And I'm like, "Okay, what do you want me to do?" I play a lot of different characters. Let's just say I end up in a Lady Gaga type outfit, so it's kind of interesting.

Since you've had extensive experience with both, which do you find more fulfilling as an actor: voiceover roles or live action roles?

You know what, it's funny, because when I do voiceovers, I can wear pajamas and no make-up. And then when I'm on live action, it's all about me on camera one, single. So it's kind of fulfilling both ways.

Which of your roles do kids typically connect with the most?

I think it depends on your age bracket, actually. I think with this (fairies), it can be the whole family for sure, but little girls love to pretend like they're princesses and fairies and flitter around. If I showed up in a fairy costume in a mall, people would commit me. [laughs] So when it comes to older kids, I think that they like the live action, because we're tackling issues that might be happening with their real life right then and there.



Who's your favorite fairy?

[jokes] "I think it would have to be Iridessa..." No, I'm just playing. I love Tinker Bell. Probably not as much as [Iridessa], but I love her because she is fun and adventurous. And I love [Iridessa] because she keeps her grounded.

I know you also work behind the scenes with your own production company. How's the progress coming?

[We're] writing scripts, getting it together, and just solidifying the company so that when we do put the scripts into action, it's perfect.

What kind of scripts are you focusing on?

Mostly comedy, because I love comedy. But a good story, and stuff that will be a truthful slice of what's going on in our generation, of all kinds of kids, not just the ones that do bad or like to show up at parties drunk or naked--the ones that their mamas will hit them if that happens...Which is like my mom!

Aside from your Sonny guest spot, will we be seeing you in front of the camera soon?

Yes, you will! But that's going to be a surprise...Top secret, for sure!

Thanks for your time. And more important than the reporters, I think you have some fans dying to see you... [points to kids who have been excitedly talking about Raven on the sidelines]

I definitely have to be on my best behavior...