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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Keke Palmer Says Her Career Evolved from Child Star to a 'Meme' — and That's Just the Start (Exclusive)
The actress' breakout role came in 2006's 'Akeelah and the Bee'NEED TO KNOW Keke Palmer tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview how her career has evolved over time The actress, who is currently starring in Prime Video's The Pickup, recalls how she went from being a child star to having a multitude of viral memes on the internet Palmer's breakout role came in 2006's Akeelah and the BeeKeke Palmer has had a storied career for a 31-year-old. But if you ask her, she's just getting started. Palmer has been acting for the better half of her life, following her breakout role in 2006's Akeelah and the Bee. True Jackson, VP — the Nickelodeon show in which she played the titular character — then skyrocketed her to fame. Palmer tells PEOPLE she remembers being the "hottest thing in town," booking roles and getting record deals, but there was a later time when even she wasn't sure what was next for her. "That was kind of, like, the peak," she says. "Then I was no longer a child star, and I had to reexamine what kind of artist I wanted to be." "I found my voice in reinvention through social media and content creation, and ultimately becoming a producer and taking my traditional roots into something that allowed me to have a little bit more control," adds the actress, who stars as a criminal on a mission to avenge her family in Prime Video's The Pickup, alongside Pete Davidson and Eddie Murphy. Recalling when social media became such a big part of her career — and identity — Palmer says there is a pivotal moment that stands out: a video from a 2019 Vanity Fair lie detector test. "I don't know who this man is. Sorry to this man," Palmer said in the clip, after she was presented with a photo of former Vice President Dick Cheney. "That's when we've seen this era where I've become a meme," Palmer jokes. "And [2022's Jordan Peele movie] Nope, and just all these things that I couldn't have predicted." She continues, "I was just following my heart and my creativity. And I think having the second wave of what that is, knowing what it's like to go through the ebbs and flows of this industry and knowing that none of the excitement always lasts forever." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Like her character Zoe in The Pickup, who learns how to engage in combat and use a gun all to avenge her father's death, Palmer had her eyes set on Hollywood from a young age with her own parents in mind, because their dreams to be performers were "deferred" while they lived in a small Illinois town. At one point in the film, Davidson's character Travis teases Palmer's Zoe, pointing out that she learned all her skills just for one heist. In real life, Palmer says she felt the same way after being a jack of all trades for a specific reason. "If we take out the words that he said, and we put 'You learned how to sing, dance, act and be an all-around performer just to avenge your family's dreams?' It's like, 'Yes, motherf------, I did,' " the One of Them Days actress tells PEOPLE. Now, Palmer is determined to keep that legacy going — not just for herself, but also for the next generation of aspiring stars like her. "I just want to make sure that I'm creating something that other people can stand on," she says. "For me, it's at the point where it's not just about making Keke Palmer the talent, but it's about what I've learned as Keke Palmer the talent, and how I can create a foundation of something that makes it easier for the next generation." The Pickup is now available to stream on Prime Video. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Keke Palmer Reveals Which One of Her Movies She Can't Wait for Her Son Leodis, 2, to Watch
Keke Palmer opened up about which one of her movies she can't wait for her son Leodis, 2, to watch While speaking with E! News, the actress shared that she wants her son to watch Akeelah and The Bee The One of Them Days actress shares her son with ex Darius JacksonKeke Palmer is excited for her son to see her in one of her iconic starring roles. During a conversation with E! News, the One of Them Days actress, 31, talked about her new album, Just Keke, her upcoming movie The Pickup and the one role she's excited for her son son Leodis, 2, to watch her in. "Very excited for him to see Akeelah and the Bee," she told the outlet. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Emmy award winner welcomed her first child in February 2023, with her ex-boyfriend, Darius Jackson. Since welcoming Leo, the actress hasn't shied away from posting about him on social media. Between silly videos and heartfelt tributes, Palmer has been relishing in motherhood. "Mommy'ing is coming along if you were looking for an update. I have juggled quite a few careers but this is my greatest gig of all," Palmer wrote on Instagram in March 2023. "I will never be the same again, but if you thought I was a bad mama jamma before, you can't imagine the greater purpose my son has given my life!" While appearing on Scott Evans' House Guest podcast, the Nope actress, whose real name is Lauren Palmer, opened up about how she and her ex decided on the name for their son. "Darius actually made his name. He wanted both our names, which is so crazy," she said, joking about how the practice of combining the parents' names is seemingly common in Chicago. "So yeah, that was him trying to put like Darius and Lauren, like Leodis, like it was just too much, but I said, 'Hey, let's do it. It's adorable.' " "I was pregnant, anything went. It's adorable, ... and then also it sounded like an old name," she said. "He sounded like he was marching with [Martin Luther King Jr.]. It's like Leodis Andrellton Jackson. He's gonna be on somebody's campaign." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The True Jackson VP alum and Baby, This is Keke Palmer podcast host celebrated her son Leodis' second birthday with several posts on both her and her son's Instagram pages. In the sweet tribute on her Instagram, she shared a collection of photos and videos from the past two years. In the post, Palmer included a video of her doing her son's hair and another of her kissing him on the cheek as a baby. She also shared pictures of her and her son, including one where they both were sticking their tongues out. Another snap showed Palmer lying on the floor as he sat on her stomach and looked at the camera. "My life can and will never be the same. You have made me who I will forever be, a MOTHA," Palmer wrote in her caption. "Leodis from the moment you were in my stomach I knew you were a strong little boy. I could just feel it!" "Even though you are no longer in my stomach you are in fact my greatest strength," she continued. "Idk if it's telepathy or what but you have taught me that I can do anything and as long as you are watching I promise I won't let you down. Strong baby, strong mommy!!!" Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Keke Palmer Reveals Which One of Her Movies She Can't Wait for Her Son Leodis, 2, to Watch
Keke Palmer opened up about which one of her movies she can't wait for her son Leodis, 2, to watch While speaking with E! News, the actress shared that she wants her son to watch Akeelah and The Bee The One of Them Days actress shares her son with ex Darius JacksonKeke Palmer is excited for her son to see her in one of her iconic starring roles. During a conversation with E! News, the One of Them Days actress, 31, talked about her new album, Just Keke, her upcoming movie The Pickup and the one role she's excited for her son son Leodis, 2, to watch her in. "Very excited for him to see Akeelah and the Bee," she told the outlet. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Emmy award winner welcomed her first child in February 2023, with her ex-boyfriend, Darius Jackson. Since welcoming Leo, the actress hasn't shied away from posting about him on social media. Between silly videos and heartfelt tributes, Palmer has been relishing in motherhood. "Mommy'ing is coming along if you were looking for an update. I have juggled quite a few careers but this is my greatest gig of all," Palmer wrote on Instagram in March 2023. "I will never be the same again, but if you thought I was a bad mama jamma before, you can't imagine the greater purpose my son has given my life!" While appearing on Scott Evans' House Guest podcast, the Nope actress, whose real name is Lauren Palmer, opened up about how she and her ex decided on the name for their son. "Darius actually made his name. He wanted both our names, which is so crazy," she said, joking about how the practice of combining the parents' names is seemingly common in Chicago. "So yeah, that was him trying to put like Darius and Lauren, like Leodis, like it was just too much, but I said, 'Hey, let's do it. It's adorable.' " "I was pregnant, anything went. It's adorable, ... and then also it sounded like an old name," she said. "He sounded like he was marching with [Martin Luther King Jr.]. It's like Leodis Andrellton Jackson. He's gonna be on somebody's campaign." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The True Jackson VP alum and Baby, This is Keke Palmer podcast host celebrated her son Leodis' second birthday with several posts on both her and her son's Instagram pages. In the sweet tribute on her Instagram, she shared a collection of photos and videos from the past two years. In the post, Palmer included a video of her doing her son's hair and another of her kissing him on the cheek as a baby. She also shared pictures of her and her son, including one where they both were sticking their tongues out. Another snap showed Palmer lying on the floor as he sat on her stomach and looked at the camera. "My life can and will never be the same. You have made me who I will forever be, a MOTHA," Palmer wrote in her caption. "Leodis from the moment you were in my stomach I knew you were a strong little boy. I could just feel it!" "Even though you are no longer in my stomach you are in fact my greatest strength," she continued. "Idk if it's telepathy or what but you have taught me that I can do anything and as long as you are watching I promise I won't let you down. Strong baby, strong mommy!!!" Read the original article on People
