Out100: Raven-Symoné

Photography by Ryan Pfluger at Tribeca Journal Studio, New York, on September 21, 2015. Styling by Javon Drake. Hair: Dallin James at The Wall Group. Makeup: Kim Bower at Exclusive Artists Management. Shirt by Prada. Dress by Aqua available at Bloomingdale's.

Two years ago, former child star Raven-Symone, who first appeared on The Cosby Show when she was only 3, decided to leave show business altogether. She'd enrolled in San Francisco's Academy of Art University, but then to "pay the bills" she started taking on projects like Fox's hit series Empire. It was an offer this June to co-host The View, however, that officially pulled her out of retirement. "I was perfectly OK with just school and not having a job," says the 29-year-old. "But the love and family nature I felt at The View brought me back to TV in a permanent way." Though her contrarian opinions have made her a lightning rod, Raven-Symone refuses to hold back. "This country has continuously ostracized groups of people that have a truth different from the status quo," she says. "I will continue to tell my truth."

SLIDESHOW | Out100 2015