That's So Tanya

Of Disney Channel's vast collection of programs a few popular shows seem to stand out. Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Even Stevens, to name a few. But one significant show set the stage for teen sitcoms everywhere. "That's So Raven" was the name.

You remember. It starred former Huxtable, Raven Symone, as we go through her wacky I Love Lucy-esque life as a teenage psychic. It also starred Family Matters alum Orlando Brown as Raven's friend Eddie, Belle on Broadway's Beauty and the Beast Anneliese van der Pol as her friend Chelsea, and newbie Kyle Massey who's performance as Raven's brother Cory garnered him a two-season spin-off.

The cover of T'Keyah's second book

But parents are most always involved in shows like these, where family can be found at it's core. Dad of the Baxters, Victor, is a chef with his own restaurant "The Chill Grill" and can often be found giving advice to his children. He is played by Rondell Sheridan. However, the mom's story is much more interesting.

You see, actress T'Keyah Crystal Keyah who plays the firm mother of Raven mysteriously left the show in it's fourth and final season, leaving the kids with one on-screen parent. The story was that she halted her law studies to raise her children and when they were old enough [in Season Four] resumed law school in England.

Funny backstory, I'd say. But what really happened to the real life Tanya Baxter?

T'Keyah and her Disney family

Doing my avid investigative searching stuff, like Sherlock, I deduced that T'Keyeh quit in a dispute quit the directors and producers feeling that the show and her character were going nowhere. My sources? TV.com had a page of her credits and a facts list which stated he reasons behind her absence in the fourth season. So...

Of course, she's moved on now and since her leave from "Raven", T'Keyeh has acted in roles on Teen Titans and Jury Duty and functions as the Artistic Associate of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, Inc. located in Jacksonville, FL and the Consulting Director of Bronzeville Community Theatre Company in Chicago, IL. Yep. She's done a lot. She often performs and directs at these venues so check her out if you live in the area.

All in all, T'Keyeh proves no one can be a Disney Mom forever.

Be prepared, because tomorrow we talk about our first non-Disney Channel mom, the mom of ABC's Full House. Anyone who enjoyed TGIF can remember this show someway another. So come on back tomorrow! See you then!


For more about T'Keyeh and her ongoing projects, check out her website at http://www.tkeyah.com/