ABCThe View has finally put a ring on Raven-Symoné. Yep, it's official: Raven is the new cohost, Whoopi Goldberg announced on Wednesday's show. Raven, who has been guest cohosting alongside Whoopi, Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez since March 2015, will now be a permanent fixture on the ABC daytime talk show.
"We are happy to announce Raven-Symoné is now permantely part of The View," Whoopi said before getting cut off by screams from the crowd. A confetti cannon blasted the audience and Raven walked out to the song "Celebrate" and hugged the other hosts.
"I am so happy. I remember coming on The View when I was 15 years old for the first Cheetah Girls," Raven said. "I'm very happy to be sitting with these smart, talented mentors."
And she came with gifts! For Nicolle she brought chocolate, Whoopi got watermelon and potato chips, Rosie got tres leches cake and guest cohost Iliza Shlesinger got bacon. "I don't work here and I get a gift," Iliza said.
"You guys, let's have some fun," Raven said before the hosts launched into the Hot Topics segment.
"The Disney Company has made another one of my dreams come true! Being a part of The View family will be a wonderful growing experience for me," Raven said in a statement. "The cast and crew are warm and welcoming and has made the transition into daytime talk easier. I have a lot to learn within this new arena, but being the apprentice of these spectacular women will only make me a better person and talk show host. I want to thank ABC, ABC News and The Disney Company for believing in me and my potential! Let's have some fun!"
Raven recently popped up on Fox's Empire, ABC's black-ish and on K.C. Undercover on Disney Channel, her former TV home. Her other TV credits include The Cosby Show, That's So Raven, Hanging With Mr. Cooper and The Cheetah Girls.
"Raven- Symoné is a welcome addition to The View," Barbara Walters, creator and executive producer, said in a statement. "She is happy, amusing and well informed, and has already brought a unique perspective to the program that has resonated with our audience."
Season 18 kicked off in September with Whoopi, Nicolle, Rosie and the other Rosie, Rosie O'Donnell, after Barbara, Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy exited during season 17. Rosie O'Donnell left the show in February, citing personal reasons. Since her departure, the show has had rotating guest cohosts. In May, Whoopi said the show was trying to make Raven and Michelle Collins permanent cohosts.
"We love saying it, but Raven and Michelle will be back tomorrow," she said. "We're trying to make it permanent, so write in to everybody." One down, one to go!
"Raven is smart, funny and genuine. We've loved getting to know her, and we're all thrilled she'll be part of The View every day," Bill Wolff, executive producer on the series, said in a statement. "She brings a fresh perspective on the hot topics of the day, and she's a lively, welcome addition to our conversations and interviews."
Stay tuned to E! for more from Raven about joining The View.