Keke Palmer is one of those entertainers that transitioned into adulthood right before our eyes. After earning her big break with the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, Keke went on to solidify her place in the entertainment industry proving her versatility with successful careers in music, film, and television. She is now the host of her own TV show, Just Keke which airs weekdays on BET. As a way of giving back to the society, Keke Palmer is involved with many non-profit organizations aimed at improving child learning.
Keke Palmer’s Biography
Keke was born Lauren Keyana Palmer on the 26th of July 1993 in Harvey, Illinois and was raised in Robbins, Illinois by her parents Sharon and Larry Palmer as a Christian. Palmer from a young age took a liking to music and acting following in the footsteps of her parents who before settling to 9-5 jobs were professional actors who met themselves in drama school. Her father now works at a plastics manufacturing company while her mom teaches autistic kids in high school.
Palmer began singing at her local church at the age of 5 and soon transitioned to bigger stages including a popular Chicago tourist destination. In a few years, Keke Palmer landed her first film role in the 2004 film, Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Her parents were impressed enough with her portrayal that they decided to relocate the family to Los Angeles where their daughter would stand a better chance at an entertainment career.
Upon reaching LA, Palmer chased both music and an acting career. She landed small parts in TV shows and films and then attracted attention from execs at Atlantic Records who signed her to a recording contract in 2005. She also landed a deal with Disney and recorded songs that were used as soundtracks.
2006 became Palmer’s big year as she got her big break with the titular role in Akeelah and the Bee. One of her songs was also featured as part of the film’s soundtrack. Keke Palmer’s career opened further the following year as she went on to land multiple gigs in addition to releasing her debut album So Uncool.
Keke Palmer has only soared higher in her career recording more success in the small screen than in the films. She had acclaimed roles in shows like True Jackson, VP, Masters of Sex, Scream Queens, Star, Berlin Station, and many others. In 2014, Keke Palmer became the first African American to play the role of Cinderella on Broadway.
Net Worth
Keke Palmer has been hugely successful as a double-threat entertainer. She has been raking in big bucks since her days on True Jackson, VP for which she earned $20,000 per episode, making her the highest-paid child actor on TV at the time. Her net worth has been estimated at about $8 million.
Twin Sister
Though Keke Palmer wasn’t born as a twin, she does have two younger siblings who are twins. They are her sister Lawrencia and brother Lawrence Palmer who were both born on the 3rd of March 2001.
Unlike Keke, none of her siblings have active careers in the entertainment industry. However, Lawrencia, fondly called Rennie by her family attracted media attention when Keke took to her Instagram page to post photos where both of them were kissing in what appeared in the eyes of many to be too physically close for a sibling relationship.
Many publications tagged the photo as weird raising questions about Keke’s sexuality. The siblings had posted the photo to celebrate Thanksgiving day.
Is She a Lesbian or Gay?
Keke Palmer prefers not to put a label on her sexuality. However, in the past, she has been vocal about being open to romance with any gender as long as she is in love with the person.
It is safe to say that the actress and singer-songwriter are bisexual, but still, the word doesn’t quite fit the description of her sexuality of which she spoke to People Magazine about explaining that she didn’t “have to be stuck down to one label.”
Her word to People came in October 2016 after she released the music video to her single “I Don’t Belong to You” which depicted bisexuality. Many speculated that the video was Palmer’s way of coming out but the songstress had a different description of the video saying that it simply represented “the young woman today” who isn’t limited by traditions.
She concluded the interview with People saying; “I don’t feel the need to define nothin’ to nobody, because I’m always changing.” She added; “Why say that I’m this or that when I might not be tomorrow?”
Palmer’s first lesbian film role came in Lee Daniels’s 2018 film, Pimp where she portrayed a lesbian pimp. According to her Instagram post promoting the video, Palmer revealed she first took interest in the project when she was 18 years old.
