Raven Symoné Is The New Co-Host Of "The View"

After nearly 40 shows as a guest co-host, ABC made it official on Wednesday morning: Raven-Symoné will be the new co-host on The View.

The actor and singer — who is best known for her roles on Disney Channel, The Cosby Show, and most recently, Empire — joins moderator Whoopi Goldberg and co-hosts Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez on the panel effective immediately.

"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," she 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. Let's have some fun!"

Symoné is taking Rosie O'Donnell's seat, which has been filled by guest co-hosts since her departure in February. O'Donnell's return to The View was expected to be a revival of sorts, but it turned out to be tumultuous for the ABC talk show. In September 2014, The View overhauled its panel, adding O'Donnell, Wallace, and Perez to the table. However, the changes didn't help the show's flailing viewership — CBS's The Talk beat out The View for the first time earlier this year.

In a statement, The View's executive producer Bill Wolff said, "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. She brings a fresh perspective on the hot topics of the day, and she's a lively, welcome addition to our conversations and interviews."

Barbara Walters added that Raven is "happy, amusing and well informed, and has already brought a unique perspective to the program that has resonated with our audience."