Keke Palmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keke Palmer
Palmer in 2015
Born	Lauren Keyana Palmer (1993-08-26) August 26, 1993 (age 31) Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actress singer television personality
Years active	2002–present
Partner(s)	Darius Jackson (2021–2023)
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Robbins, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Atlantic Interscope Island Nick eOne

Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer (born August 26, 1993) is a talented American actress, singer, and television personality. She has won many awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards. Time magazine even named her one of the world's most influential people in 2019.

Keke started acting as a child. Her first movie roles were in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and The Wool Cap (both in 2004). She became well-known for her role in the drama film Akeelah and the Bee (2006). Her career grew with movies like Madea's Family Reunion (2006) and Jump In! (2007). She also released her first album, So Uncool, in 2007.

Keke became very popular on Nickelodeon. She played the main character in the TV show True Jackson, VP (2008–2011). She also voiced Aisha in the Winx Club cartoon (2011–2014). Later, she starred in the TV movie Rags (2012).

Keke then took on more grown-up roles. She was in the VH1 movie CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013). She also performed on Broadway as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (2014–2015). She has starred in TV shows like Scream Queens (2015–2016) and Berlin Station (2017–2019). Her recent films include Jordan Peele's Nope (2022), which earned her great reviews.

Besides acting and singing, Keke has hosted talk shows. These include Just Keke (2014) and Strahan, Sara and Keke (2019–2020). She has also hosted the game show Password since 2022.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lauren Keyana Palmer was born on August 26, 1993. She grew up in Harvey, Illinois and Robbins, Illinois. Her parents, Sharon and Lawrence Palmer, were both actors. Keke's father now works for a company and volunteers as a Catholic deacon. Her mother is a high school teacher who helps children with autism.

Keke's nickname "Keke" came from her older sister's imaginary friend. Keke first sang in church. She later performed at a stage show in Chicago. In 2002, when she was nine, Keke auditioned for a play called The Lion King.

Keke's Career Journey

Starting in Film and Music

Palmer performing in March 2008

In 2004, Keke got her first movie role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business. In 2005, she signed a music deal with Atlantic Records. That same year, she appeared in the TV movie Knights of the South Bronx. She also had roles in TV shows like Second Time Around and ER.

In 2006, Keke had a big acting breakthrough. She starred in the film Akeelah and the Bee. She played Akeelah, a smart 11-year-old from a tough neighborhood. Akeelah competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Critics praised Keke's performance. She won a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award for this role. She also appeared in the movie Madea's Family Reunion in 2006.

The next year, Keke was in the thriller Cleaner. She also played a main role in the TV movie Jump In!. Keke released her first album, So Uncool, on September 18, 2007. The album reached number 86 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Becoming a Nickelodeon Star

In 2008, Keke began her famous role as the main character in the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP. Keke also wrote and sang the theme song for the show. She earned $20,000 per episode. This made her one of the highest-paid child stars on TV.

In 2009, a fashion line inspired by True Jackson, VP was created for Walmart. Keke approved all the designs. She also starred in the 2008 film The Longshots. True Jackson, VP finished in 2011.

New Roles and Music Projects

Keke started voicing Aisha in Nickelodeon's new version of Winx Club. She was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her voice acting. In 2012, Keke starred in the film Joyful Noise.

She also produced and starred in Rags, a TV musical film. Keke voiced Peaches in Ice Age: Continental Drift. In July 2012, she released the song "You Got Me" with Kevin McCall. She also released a mixtape called Keke Palmer in October 2012.

Palmer at PaleyFest in 2016

In 2013, Keke played Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas in the TLC movie, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. In 2014, she starred in the horror film Animal. Keke also hosted her own daytime talk show on BET called Just Keke. She became one of the youngest talk show hosts ever.

In September 2014, Keke made history. She became the first African American to star as Cinderella on Broadway. She finished her role on January 4, 2015. Later that year, Keke signed with Island Records.

From 2015 to 2016, she starred as Zayday Williams in the TV show Scream Queens. In January 2016, Keke played Marty Maraschino in Grease: Live. Her performance was highly praised. In November, Keke released her second music EP, Lauren. In 2017, she released her book, I Don't Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice. She also joined the TV show Berlin Station.

Palmer in 2018

In 2019, Keke started guest co-hosting Strahan and Sara on ABC. She later became a permanent co-host, and the show was renamed Strahan, Sara and Keke. Keke also joined the TV series Scream in its third season. She sang the song "Giants" for the video game League of Legends.

Recent Projects and Achievements

Strahan, Sara and Keke ended in March 2020. Keke was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her hosting. That same year, she started a web comedy series called Turnt Up with the Taylors. She played all the characters in the show.

She released two EPs: Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 1 (August 2020) and Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 2 (December 2020). In August 2020, Keke hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. She also performed her song "Snack".

In 2021, Keke won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in Turnt Up with the Taylors. She also hosted the reality show Foodtastic for Disney+.

Palmer in 2022

In 2022, Keke starred in the film Alice. She narrated Not So Pretty, a documentary about the beauty industry. Keke also voiced Izzy Hawthorne in the Pixar animated movie Lightyear. That same year, she starred as Emerald Haywood in Jordan Peele's horror film Nope. Her performance earned her a New York Film Critics Circle Award.

In August 2022, Keke became the host of a new version of the game show Password on NBC. In 2023, Keke was invited to join The Academy. She also appeared in Usher’s music video for his song "Boyfriend". In June 2024, Keke started a new singing girl group called DivaGurl, where she is the lead singer. In 2025, Keke co-starred in One of Them Days with SZA.

Other Activities and Interests

Keke Palmer hosts her own podcast called Baby, This is Keke Palmer. Her first book, I Don’t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice, was published in 2017. In 2024, she announced her second book, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative.

Keke works with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs' Cool To Be Smart program. She talks to children about how important learning is. She also supports Urban Farming and the Girl Scouts. Keke has worked with the YWCA and Saving Our Daughters. Since 2010, she has been a representative for Saving Our Daughters, an anti-bullying campaign.

She supports the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2020, she participated in peaceful protests in Hollywood, California. She also spoke about the movement when she hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

Time magazine included Keke on its "100 Next" list in 2019. This list highlights rising stars who are shaping the future in many fields.

Music Style

Keke Palmer's first album, So Uncool, was influenced by modern R&B. It was described as "bright, bouncy, and melodic" and good for teens. Keke has said she was influenced by R&B singers like Ciara, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston. She also likes the girl group TLC. Keke also mentioned pop artists Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne as influences.

Personal Life

In June 2021, Keke Palmer started dating fitness instructor Darius Jackson. She announced she was expecting her first child with Jackson while hosting Saturday Night Live in December 2022. Their son was born in February 2023. Palmer and Jackson separated in October 2023.

Selected Film and TV Roles

Film

List of films and roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Barbershop 2: Back in Business	Gina's Niece
2006	Akeelah and the Bee	Akeelah Anderson
	Madea's Family Reunion	Nikki Grady
2007	Cleaner	Rose Cutler
2008	The Longshots	Jasmine Plummer
	Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare	Crystal Tortoise (voice)
2009	Shrink	Jemma
2012	Ice Age: Continental Drift	Peaches (voice)
	Joyful Noise	Olivia Hill
	Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom	Aisha (voice)
2013	Winx Club 3D: Magical Adventure
2014	Animal	Alissa
	Imperial Dreams	Samaara
2015	Brotherly Love	Jackie
2016	Ice Age: Collision Course	Peaches (voice)
2020	2 Minutes of Fame	Sky
2022	Alice	Alice
	Jennifer Lopez: Halftime	Herself	Documentary film
	Lightyear	Izzy Hawthorne (voice)
	Nope	Emerald "Em" Haywood
2023	Under the Boardwalk	Ramona (voice)
2024	This Is Me... Now: A Love Story	Scorpio
2025	One of Them Days	Dreux
	Good Fortune	TBA	Post-production
TBA	The Pickup	TBA	Post-production
	I Love Boosters	TBA	Filming
N/A	Being Mortal	Unknown	Suspended production

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Keke Palmer's Music

Studio albums

• So Uncool (2007)
• Big Boss (2023)
• Big Boss (Deluxe Edition) (2023)

Extended plays

• Lauren (2016)
• Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 1 (2019)
• Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 2 (2020)

Concert Tours

Headlining

• Footworkin' Concert Tour (2007)
• Big Boss Tour (2023)

Co-headlining

• Radio Disney Jingle Jam (with Mitchel Musso and Drew Seeley) (2007)

Awards and Nominations

See Also

In Spanish: Keke Palmer para niños

• Coco Jones
• Trevor Jackson