Former That’s So Raven star Orlando Brown says his life has changed dramatically after regaining custody of his daughter following years apart.
Brown, 38, revealed during an interview with Revolt on Wednesday, August 12, that his daughter had spent five years in foster care before returning to his custody.
“I didn’t have my daughter five years ago. She was in foster care,” Brown said. He added that he had “put that work in” to bring his child back into his life.
The former Disney Channel actor said having his daughter with him has changed everything from his daily routine to the way he travels.
“I’m different now because I have my baby with me now everywhere I go,” Brown explained. He acknowledged that traveling and parenting at the same time can be challenging, but described the experience as rewarding and enjoyable.
Brown also spoke candidly about the difficulties of reconnecting after such a long separation.
According to the actor, his daughter lived with multiple families during the five years they were apart. As a result, Brown said she developed behaviors and traits that are sometimes unfamiliar to him.
“For five years she was with a whole different family, three different families,” he said. “So she’s picked up traits that I don’t understand.”
Rather than criticizing those differences, Brown said he believes it is his responsibility as a father to understand what his daughter experienced and learn how those years may have shaped her.
“It’s for me to make sure that I understand her at the end of the day,” he said.
Brown did not publicly identify which of his daughters had been in foster care.
The actor has been linked to several children from different relationships. He shares son Frankie and daughter Annie with ex-wife Danielle Anglin, while reports have also connected him to other children from previous relationships.
Brown’s comments about fatherhood come after years in which his personal struggles frequently attracted public attention.
The former child star faced several legal problems beginning in the mid-2010s, including arrests and charges involving drug possession and other offenses. He later drew additional attention for unusual public statements, including claims made during a 2018 appearance with Dr. Phil McGraw.
In more recent years, Brown appeared to be working toward greater stability in his personal life. His marriage to Anglin has since ended, with Anglin announcing earlier this year that their divorce had been finalized.
In announcing the divorce, Anglin described the next chapter of her life as being focused on healing, growth and creating a healthier future for herself and her children.
Brown, meanwhile, is now emphasizing another major change in his own life: becoming an active father to a daughter he spent years separated from.
His latest comments suggest that rebuilding that relationship is an ongoing process. Brown acknowledged that five years apart cannot simply be erased, but said he is trying to understand his daughter rather than expecting her to immediately adjust to his way of life.
For Brown, having his daughter back appears to represent more than a change in custody. It has also brought a new level of responsibility as he works to build a relationship shaped by patience, understanding and the reality of the years they spent apart.
