Keke Palmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keke Palmer
Palmer in 2025
Born	Lauren Keyana Palmer (1993-08-26) August 26, 1993 (age 32) Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actress singer television host
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 (pronounced KEE-kee; born on August 26, 1993) is a talented American actress, singer, and television host. She has won many awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2019, Time magazine recognized her as one of the world's most influential people.

Keke Palmer started her acting career as a child. She appeared in films like Barbershop 2: Back in Business and The Wool Cap in 2004. Her big break came when she starred as Akeelah Anderson in the movie Akeelah and the Bee in 2006. She also appeared in other films such as Madea's Family Reunion (2006) and Jump In! (2007). In 2007, she released her first music album, So Uncool.

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

Palmer took on more grown-up roles, including the VH1 movie CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story in 2013. She made her Broadway debut as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella from 2014 to 2015. She also starred in TV shows like Scream Queens (2015–2016) and Berlin Station (2017–2019). Her recent films include Nope (2022), and One of Them Days (2025). She also released two more studio albums in the 2020s.

Beyond acting, Keke has hosted talk shows such as Just Keke (2014) and Strahan, Sara and Keke (2019–2020). Since 2022, she has hosted the game show Password. In 2021, she started KeyTV Network, an online platform for entertainment. She also released her second book, Master of Me, in 2024.

Early Life and Beginnings

Lauren Keyana Palmer was born on August 26, 1993, in Harvey, Illinois. She grew up in Robbins, Illinois, a nearby town. Her parents, Sharon and Lawrence "Larry" Palmer, both had acting experience. Her father works for a company, and her mother is a high school teacher who helps children with autism.

Keke's nickname comes from an imaginary friend her older sister had before she was born. In 2022, Keke shared that she prefers to be called Lauren. She first sang in church and performed in a show in Chicago. When she was nine, in 2002, she auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King.

Career Highlights

Early Roles and Music (2000s)

Palmer performing in March 2008

In 2004, Keke Palmer got her first film role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business. The next year, she signed a record deal with Atlantic Records. She also appeared in the TV movie Knights of the South Bronx and TV series like ER.

In 2006, Keke had a major acting success in the film Akeelah and the Bee. She played Akeelah, an 11-year-old from a tough neighborhood who competes in a national spelling bee. For this role, she won a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award. She also had a role in the film Madea's Family Reunion that year.

In 2007, Keke starred in the TV film Jump In!. She released her first album, So Uncool, which appeared on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

From 2008 to 2011, Keke starred as the main character in the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP. She also wrote and performed the show's theme song. In 2009, a fashion line inspired by True Jackson, VP was created for Walmart. Keke also played the lead in the 2008 film The Longshots.

Expanding Horizons (2010s)

Keke Palmer became the voice of Aisha in Nickelodeon's Winx Club cartoon, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination. In 2012, she starred in the film Joyful Noise. She also produced and starred in the TV musical film Rags. That same year, she voiced Peaches in the animated movie Ice Age: Continental Drift.

In 2013, Keke played Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas in the TLC biographical film, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. In 2014, she hosted her own daytime talk show on BET called Just Keke. This made her one of the youngest talk show hosts in TV history.

A big moment came in September 2014 when Keke became the first African American actress to star as Cinderella on Broadway. She finished her run in January 2015. Later that year, she signed with Island Records.

From 2015 to 2016, Keke starred as Zayday Williams in the comedy-horror series Scream Queens. In 2016, she played Marty Maraschino in the TV special Grease: Live. She also released her second extended play, Lauren, which came with a short film. In 2017, Keke released her memoir, I Don't Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice. She also joined the drama series Berlin Station.

In 2019, Keke became a permanent co-host of the ABC talk show Strahan, Sara and Keke. Keke sang the song "Giants" as part of a virtual music group called True Damage for the video game League of Legends.

Recent Successes (2020s)

Palmer performing at the Capital Pride Festival in 2024

The talk show Strahan, Sara and Keke ended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keke later received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her hosting work. In 2020, she also created and starred in a web comedy series called Turnt Up with the Taylors, playing all the characters. She released two extended plays, Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 1 and Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 2. In August 2020, Keke hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and performed her song "Snack".

In 2021, Keke won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her work on Turnt Up with the Taylors. She also hosted the reality competition series Foodtastic for Disney+.

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 film Lightyear. That same year, she starred as Emerald Haywood in the science-fiction horror film Nope, which earned her much praise. In August 2022, Keke became the host of the NBC game show Password.

In 2023, Keke was announced to star alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in the film Super Toys. She was also invited to join The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Keke appeared in Usher's music video for his song "Boyfriend" in August 2023. In June 2024, Keke started a girl group called DivaGurl, where she is the lead singer. In 2025, Keke co-starred in the film One of Them Days with SZA, which received great reviews.

Other Activities and Interests

Palmer in 2022

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 November 2024, she released her second book, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative.

Keke is passionate about helping others. She works with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs' Cool To Be Smart program, encouraging children to value learning. She supports Urban Farming and the Girl Scouts. She has also worked with the YWCA and the Saving Our Daughters project, which is an anti-bullying campaign. Keke is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2020, she participated in protests in Hollywood, California, and spoke about the movement at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2019, Time magazine included Keke on its "100 Next" list. This list highlights rising stars who are making a difference in various fields.

In 2022, Keke launched KeyTV Network, a digital platform for entertainment content. In 2026, she began mentoring students at UCLA in their School of Theater, Film and Television. Her KeyTV platform helps distribute student projects each year.

Musical Style

Keke Palmer's first album, So Uncool, featured a lot of contemporary R&B music. Producers described it as "bright, bouncy, and melodic," appealing to young listeners. Keke has shared that 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 admires pop artists such as Gwen Stefani, Selena, and Avril Lavigne.

Personal Life

Health and Well-being

Keke Palmer has a condition called amblyopia, sometimes known as "lazy eye." She has also managed a health condition called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome for much of her life. Keke has openly discussed her experiences with anxiety and depression.

Family

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

Filmography

Film

Television

As producer only

Discography

• So Uncool (2007)
• Big Boss (2023)
• Just Keke (2025)

Concert Tours

Headlining

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

Co-headlining

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

See also

In Spanish: Keke Palmer para niños

• Coco Jones
• Trevor Jackson