“Raven’s Home” Introduces the Disney Channel’s First Openly Trans Character
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The Disney Channel made history this week in the latest episode of Raven’s Home, a spin-off of the beloved Disney classic, That’s So Raven starring Raven-Symoné. In episode 15, titled “The Fierce Awakens,” the series introduced Nikki, the network’s first openly trans character.
Nikki is featured as Raven’s new hire at her fashion company and helps Raven select an influencer to be the face of her brand. She is portrayed by actress Juliana Joel, who penned a powerful post on Instagram ahead of the episode’s premiere.
“Growing up as a kid in Florida (like many other kids) I dreamt of being on the Disney Channel, specifically on That’s So Raven. It was my favorite show & Raven Baxter was my best friend in my mind. It was my escape from what I was going through internally,” she wrote. “Coming from a typical Puerto Rican family, I didn’t think being an actor was possible esp for someone like me, I thought you had to be born into that world. Fast forward to becoming an actor I then told myself I wasn’t young enough to be on Disney anymore & even if that wasn’t the case I’m TRANS! I’d never seen an out trans actor or character on the Disney Channel. EVER. Needless to say, I cried in my dressing room after walking onto that set the first time. It was a moment where it hit me that I not only get to live out my childhood dream on a version of my favorite show…I get to do it as my authentic self and with a character that is openly trans.”
“But it was really more than just being on the show,” Juliana continued. “With all of the anti-trans hate and narratives in media and society, it was a win. I claimed a dream and space for myself while so much of the world is trying to erase me & my community. And now I get to be that person I wish I had to watch on TV growing up. So never tell yourself it can’t happen because it can, in ways you never dreamt possible.”
Nori Reed, the writer of this episode, also celebrated the groundbreaking moment.
“I grew up in Christian County, Kentucky, a rural community that wasn’t the most hospitable to me as an Asian and closeted queer kid. Like many kids across America, I loved coming home from school and turning on the Disney Channel, a wonderful escape from the challenging environment that I was living in,” Nori penned in an Instagram post. “Growing up as a young queer person, I never got to see my own experiences and identity reflected back to me on the TV screen. This, unfortunately, provided a very clear message: This world isn’t for you.”
“I cannot fully articulate what it means to me personally that now a young queer person in rural America can pop on the Disney Channel and witness a funny, nuanced trans character that they can relate to. And I pray in my heart that they hear the very clear message: You belong in this world and are included,” Nori added.
The character of Nikki is set to be featured on future episodes of Raven’s Home, according to Juliana’s recent Instagram post, amplifying trans representation in film and television.
You can watch new episodes of Raven’s Home on Fridays at 9 pm ET.
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