Raven Bowens on Love, Loss, and the General Hospital Role She Almost Played

Maurice Benard’s (Sonny, General Hospital) latest episode of State of Mind features none other than the talented Raven Bowens, who portrays Chanel Dupree DiMera on Days of Our Lives.

In the deeply heartfelt conversation, Bowens opens up like never before, sharing stories about her childhood, a devastating loss, her path into acting, and the passions that drive her today.

Moving A Lot

Bowens begins by recalling her early years. Her mother was married to a professional baseball player, which meant the family relocated frequently. “By the time I was seven, I had moved 18 times,” she said. “I think I used to count. I stopped counting around then. So we moved a lot.” She added that she had “lived all over America” in her first few years.

The frequent relocations made it difficult to form lasting friendships, and Bowens reflects on the lasting emotional impact. The instability, she explains, contributed to what she calls an “over-loyalty” to people and situations. She also shared memories of cheerleading.

Raven Bowens Talks the Death of Her Boyfriend

Bowens revealed that she moved to Los Angeles at 19. alone, and without a plan. The move was prompted by a series of moments, most significantly the death of her high-school boyfriend, who had been the first person to suggest she try acting.

“So I didn’t plan it at all,” she explained. “I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. My boyfriend had started college before me, and he took this theater class. He told me, ‘You should maybe do some acting… the people in this class remind me of you.’”

Not long after, he tragically passed away. “He drowned,” Bowens shared, describing how he had been floating the river near the University of Oregon, where he played football. “He got caught in a current… he was underwater for about 10 minutes. They pulled him out, but his body had taken in so much water… he didn’t survive.”

They had been together for about two and a half years. “That was tough. That’s still probably the toughest thing,” she admitted.

Becoming an Actress

After moving to LA, Bowens quickly found a job as a cheerleading coach and tutor in South Central and was accepted into Cal State Dominguez Hills.

She even came close to joining The Real World, and ultimately finished as the runner-up. She also revealed that she once auditioned and screen-tested for a different soap role; Trina Robinson on General Hospital, but didn’t get it. “I think I was a little older than they needed the character to be,” she said. “It just wasn’t mine.”

What was meant for her arrived soon enough. Bowens was later offered the role of Chanel Dupree on Days of Our Lives. Although, initially, she didn’t get it after her first audition. However, time eventually passed and she received the call that she’d been hired. As fate would have it, she got that call on her birthday, and started work on her grandmother’s birthday.

Philanthropic Work

Bowens also discussed her philanthropic work, including hosting a charity event for the Coutura Hamilton Foundation. One of their current projects is rebuilding ADC Grammar School in Nigeria, something Bowens speaks about with a lot of passion.

And State of Mind wouldn’t be State of Mind without some mental health discussion. Bowens also shared that mental-health conditions—including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder—run in her family.

If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out. Check out Raven Bowens’ insightful and moving appearance below.

Photo Credit: Daytime Emmys.

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