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That’s So Raven Star Finds Sobriety through Christian Recovery Program

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Published Sep 22, 2020

Rapper and former That’s So Raven actor Orlando Brown says a Christian recovery program has helped him break his addiction to drugs.

According to The Christian Post, Brown, who is most famous for his role as Eddie Thomas on the Disney Channel show That’s So Raven, will be graduating from Rise Discipleship in November.

Rise Discipleship is a 6-month in-patient recovery program for men struggling with addiction, homelessness and other issues. The program is sponsored by Rise Church in Abilene, Texas.

“I can tell you that I’m OK. I’m alive. I was in an unsafe position and it has been shaky but at the end of the day all I can tell you is I’m OK and I’m graduating and I will be getting married,” he said.

Brown, 32, was first arrested in February 2016 for domestic battery, obstruction of justice, drug possession with intent to sell and possession of contraband.

In 2018, he tried a rehabilitation facility, but was later arrested for drugs and prostitution charges.

Then this year, he claimed television host Nick Cannon once performed fellatio on him while dressed as a woman. Cannon denied the claims.

Also this year, Brown said actor Will Smith raped him as a child.

In a fundraising video for Rise Discipleship, Brown said he found acceptance “for who I am.”

“My fiancée told me about this place and when I came it was amazing,” he said. “I had a blast. These brothers accepted me for who I am.”

Jubal Elrod, who works with the program, said Brown has become a leader for the group.

“He’s completely turned around. He got on this like in his third week, hit it like a man. Now he’s leading classes. He’s actually overseeing discipline and teaching other brothers how to get through it. I'm super proud of you man, proud of you Orlando,” he said.

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Scott Eells/Stringer


Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.