How Keke Palmer spends her 5 to 9 — from morning Pilates to drinking whiskey

Business Insider

23-05-2025

Keke Palmer is the internet's darling. She's an Emmy-winning actor, headline-making podcaster, and TV host. Fun, charismatic, and genuine, Palmer can create a catch-phrase in a split-second moment of genius. Remember, "Sorry to this man"?
So, ahead of our call, I was intrigued to find out what Palmer was like one-on-one, without cameras flashing or being on a big movie set.
What I discovered is that she is everything you'd want a celebrity to be: simultaneously relatable (she's also obsessed with Pilates) and somehow otherworldly (she's motivated to work until 2 a.m.).
In the latest installment of Business Insider's "5-9" series, Palmer, 31, shares a glimpse into her busy life as a businesswoman and mother, as part of her collaboration with American Express' Business Platinum Card.
What time do you get up, and what's your morning routine?
I put my clothes out the night before and get up between 6 a.m. and 6.45 a.m. If my workday starts after 8 a.m., I'll use that hour from 7 a.m. to work out: Pilates is my favorite.
When I get back, I'll have a coffee. I'm drinking my water, and I've got my Stanley. Then I'll start work.
Do you do reformer or mat Pilates?
I love them both for different reasons. If I do mat Pilates, it's going to be heated, and if I do reformer Pilates, it's not. If my hair is done, I'm doing reformer, for sure. I don't want to get sweaty on the mat.
The Pilates that I do is not as yoga-leaning, it's athletic — not cardio, but very intricate and muscle-building.
It's the moment of my day that I get to myself, even if I'm in a class with other people. It's just me, feeling it, existing in the world, and doing something for myself. It's really meditative.
When you're focusing so hard on what you're doing, you can't think about anything else.
Exactly, girl.
What do you have for breakfast?
I try to eat something that will really nourish me, especially as I've got older and work so much. I love what I do, and I'm trying to extend my ability to keep doing it.
Anything that's a whole food. I love eggs. Sometimes, I have egg whites with potatoes. This morning, I had sweet potato pancakes with a side of yogurt.
It's not that I don't care about taste, I do, but I want to make sure that it's stuff that's going to be prolonging me for the rest of the day. Especially with all the traveling, too.
How do you keep yourself healthy while traveling a lot?
I definitely need a premium travel experience. I use my American Express Business Platinum Card because I can relax in the lounge, get something to eat, and do a little work if I need to.
I travel for work mostly, sometimes getting right off the plane and straight into business, so the peace and the comfort that I can obtain from that kind of experience is helpful when I go in and pitch.
Eating for gut health
What are your wellness essentials?
I have an array of different things that really feed into my ability to stay grounded and at ease.
For me, therapy is seasonal. I think that therapy is good if you're not doing it all the time.
I love journaling, prayer, and any type of fitness, such as Pilates, yoga, and hiking. All of that stuff brings me immense joy. I love a good hike by myself, and I like doing things solo, because I'm always around so many people when I'm working.
I love bingeing comfort TV. It doesn't even have to be the most interesting thing.
Spending time with family is huge for me, especially my little boy. I love to be with him. It's like time stops.
What time do you get home from work?
When I'm on set, I can go as late as 2 a.m., but if I get out at a normal time, then I'm off around 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Do you generally not eat dinner at home?
I usually eat before I get home. And then when I'm back, I try to give my stomach a rest to digest because eating so late can mess me up for the next morning and disturb my sleep.
I don't think of it that way. I think about it in terms of my gut.
I've had a lot of health issues with PCOS, my nervous system, and my stomach, which has always been very sensitive. So, over these past few years, it's been really important for me to understand how to help my stomach and what foods are ticking it off, because when your gut brain is good, the rest of your brain is good.
Once you find out what works for you, it makes a real difference.
A lot of times, they're telling you the things that are good for you, but they're not necessarily good for you. Or they're telling you the things that are bad for you, but they're not necessarily bad for you.
People often say, "No rice, no potatoes," but my body prefers those, and I'm not saying they've got to be deep-fried. I pair that with something fibrous, protein, or beans. That's good for me.
Do you have a go-to drink?
Yes, whiskey.
With ice?
No, I don't want it watered down!
Good point.
Baths before bed and "Girlfriends"
Do you have a skincare routine?
It's kind of simple, but there are certain ingredients I like to use. Niacinamide, over-the-counter retinol — not prescribed because I don't want to go too harsh.
I love La Roche Posay Mela B3 for dark spots, and also La Roche Posay's kids' and adults' SPF because it doesn't burn my eyes.
I like oil-based cleansers, especially if I'm doing a lot of performing. Sometimes the makeup's coming on and off, and I don't want a cleanser that's going to be too stripping.
I do switch up products because I honestly think that you have to learn your skin and be able to touch, feel, and look at it, and then define what you're going to do based on that.
What's your nighttime routine?
I love watching TV and oiling my hair while in the bath, using face wash and moisturizer, setting out my clothes, and turning on my bed warmer. It's a warming blanket from Amazon. I put it underneath my sheet, and it's perfect.
I lie in bed. I might look at my phone or journal, drop a couple of magnesium drops in my water, maybe a little bit of turmeric, and sip on that. I have a bean bag eye mask. Sometimes, I microwave it. I put it on my eyes, and I'm out.
I'll always go to sleep to some sitcom like "Girlfriends" or "Gilmore Girls" — any type of comfort show.