Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Keke Palmer
Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Keke Palmer
Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Jacob Elordi
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Keke Palmer. For this list, we’ll be looking at performances, interviews, and actions that have made Keke Palmer one of her generation’s definitive stars. What moment made you love Keke Palmer? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Providing a Moral Center as Zayday Williams “Scream Queens” (2015-16)
Most of the characters in “Scream Queens” were shallow, mean-spirited, and occasionally even murderous, albeit with a comedic touch. Only a handful of characters were genuinely good people. In the first season, the most sympathetic Kappa Kappa Tau members are Grace Gardner, played by Skyler Samuels, and Zayday Williams, played by Palmer. By Season 2, Grace was gone with Zayaday’s role being expanded upon, essentially serving as the moral center. While Zayday could’ve been written as a “best friend” or “final girl” archetype, Palmer helps mold her into one of the show’s most resourceful, quick-witted players with enough sass to take on a Chanel or Red Devil. Some “Scream Queen” characters you love to hate. Others you hate to love. We just loved Zayday.
#9: Playing a Stripper & “Sister” “Hustlers” (2019)
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Jennifer Lopez was no stranger when “Hustlers” hit the scene in 2019. The film also shined the spotlight on several rising stars, including Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, and Palmer. As Mercedes, Palmer plays a stripper whose charisma makes her a natural con artist. Along with her “sisters,” Mercedes targets wealthy men and their credit cards. Their actions might be illegal, but they have relatable motives. In Mercedes’ case, her fiance is facing 3-5 and lawyers ain’t cheap. Each brings something special to the table with Mercedes being the life of the party. Of course, sometimes she parties too hard. As much as we love seeing these characters on top, it’s equally entertaining when things spiral out of control, sending Mercedes running for the hills.
#8: Her Response to Zendaya Comparisons
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Some have compared Palmer to Zendaya, as both are former child stars turned Emmy-winning adult actors, both have prominent music careers, and both are women of color. Yet, one Twitter user argued that Palmer hasn’t reached the same levels of “mainstream popularity” as Zendaya, claiming this demonstrated “how colorism plays out in Hollywood.” As the tweet went viral, Palmer shared her two cents, stating that the true “example of colorism is to believe [she] can be compared to anyone.” Palmer went on to list her many achievements. The trajectories of some celebrity careers are bound to have parallels, as that’s the nature of the business. Beyond those surface details, though, Palmer and Zendaya are wholly unique artists on individual journeys to legendary status.
#7: Her Support for Black Lives Matter
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Palmer has supported several worthy causes and charities, including Saving Our Daughters, Young Women’s Christian Association, and Cool To Be Smart. She’s been especially active throughout the Black Lives Matter movement, taking to the streets with numerous other demonstrators following the killing of George Floyd. Amid protesting in June 2020, Palmer confronted the National Guard, pleading with them to march as well. Fearless and passionate, Palmer beautifully articulated why the National Guard’s support would mean so much to the movement. While one National Guard said that they couldn’t leave his post, he complied with another woman’s request to take a knee while a few fellow guards followed. Despite feeling more could’ve been done, Palmer’s actions speak to her bravery and determination to evoke change.
#6: When She Didn’t Know Who Dick Cheney Was Vanity Fair
Did you know that Palmer’s full name is Lauren Keyana Palmer? This is just one of the fun tidbits that Palmer shared during her lie detector test with Vanity Fair. The video highlights Palmer’s down-to-earth personality, being upfront about her career, childhood, and roads not taken. Discussing her time at Nickelodeon, Palmer was asked if she thought that True Jackson was a better VP than Dick Cheney. Palmer didn’t try to hide the fact that she had no idea who the former Vice President of the United States was. A few years and memes later, Vanity Fair asked Palmer about Cheney again. Palmer still knew little about him. Based on what others told her, Palmer didn’t think he was worth doing research on.
#5: Her Cinderella Moment “Cinderella”
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With a background in acting and singing, it was only a matter of time until Palmer turned to musical theater. In 2014, she made her Broadway debut as the titular heroine of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” This wasn’t just Palmer’s first Broadway role. It also marked the first time that this version of Cinderella had been portrayed by an African-American on Broadway. Palmer wasn’t new to Cinderella Stories, having starred in the modern retelling “Rags,” although that Nickelodeon Original Movie saw her play “Princess Charming.” On stage, Palmer finally got to shine as Cinderella, saying that she had “waited [her] entire life for a moment like that.” We all know the story, but with Palmer in the role, the timeless tale is given new dimensions.
#4: Co-Hosting the Met Gala Met Gala
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With the 2014 BET series “Just Keke,” Palmer became one of the youngest talk show hosts ever. Palmer has since hosted high-profile events like the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. The following year, she served as one of the hosts for Vogue’s Met Gala livestream. With most red carpet interviews, the person asking the questions is usually the least interesting part. When it’s Palmer holding the mic, though, the red carpet belongs to her. Palmer kept the evening moving at a breezy pace with her signature energy, wit, and ability to connect with others on the spot. Since this is the Met Gala, Palmer also dressed appropriately with a glittering Sergio Hudson gown reminiscent of Diana Ross. If only Palmer’s food pic looked as appealing.
#3: Turning a Nope into a Yep “Nope” (2022)
Some have described “Nope” as Palmer’s breakthrough role. If you skim through her filmography, you’ll find that Palmer actually had A LOT of notable roles before this 2022 sci-fi horror film. That said, “Nope” is arguably Palmer’s most high-profile movie to date, being from Oscar winner Jordan Peele. Palmer is nothing short of magnetic as Emerald Haywood, a young lady looking for her big shot in Hollywood. Em isn’t the most reliable person, however. She thus finds another path to fame and fortune when a UFO surfaces above her family ranch. In addition to bringing levity to the eerie story, Palmer is a terrific foil for Daniel Kaluuya’s OJ, who lacks his sister’s pizazz. Funny, heartfelt, and badass, Palmer’s range is on full display here.
#2: Her Celebrity Impressions Various
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Almost a decade before “Nope,” Palmer appeared on “Key & Peele” as Malia Obama’s anger translator. Reflecting on that role years later with Jimmy Fallon, Palmer shared her dead-on impression of Vice President Kamala Harris. That’s just one of the many celebrity impressions in Palmer’s repertoire. In another “Tonight Show” appearance, Palmer showed off her singing chops as Shakira and Cher. Palmer can hit all the right notes as Beyoncé, Brandy, and Mary J. Blige as well. However, a crying Angela Bassett has got to be Palmer’s most requested impression, especially as a guest on “The Queen Latifah Show.” Palmer has been doing that impersonation since childhood. Whenever she crosses paths with the real Bassett, though, the impression has never been brought up. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Voicing Izzy Hawthorne, “Lightyear” (2022) No Surprise, Palmer is Space Ranger Material How She Got to Work With Issa Rae, “Insecure” (2016-21) A Mix-Up on Twitter Made a Guest Spot a Real Deal Asking Whoopi to Be in “Sister Act 3,” “The View” (1997-) Make It Happen Already! Her Nickelodeon Days, “True Jackson, VP” (2008-11) Vice President Palmer Has a Nice Ring To It Singing the National Anthem, World Series Whether You Were For Houston or Atlanta, We Were All Team Palmer
#1: Her First Lead Role “Akeelah and the Bee” (2006)
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On the heels of a few supporting roles, Palmer demonstrated her potential as a lead in “Akeelah and the Bee.” Around age ten, Palmer met with writer/director Doug Atchison about the script. Atchison appreciated that Palmer asked so many questions about the characters and their motivations, believing she would be the ideal collaborator. As well-written as Atchison’s screenplay is, Akeelah wouldn’t have been the same without Palmer. Playing the titular spelling prodigy, Palmer gives one of cinema’s most authentic youth performances. In a film that explores broken families, discrimination, and insecurity, Palmer proves that she’s more capable of tackling heavy-handed subjects. She also holds her own against acting giants like Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. With this film, another star was born in Palmer.
