Keke Palmer Biography

Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer (born August 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, presenter and television personality. Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois and raised in Robbins, Illinois. After Palmer's film debut, Palmer and her family moved to California to help her pursue a career in acting. Palmer released her debut album, So Uncool, on September 18, 2007 through Atlantic Records. The album failed to chart on the US Billboard 200 but did chart at number 85 on the R&B chart. The album was preceded by the second single "Keep It Movin'.

Apart from her work in music, Palmer is also a recognized actress. She made her acting debut in the 2004 film Barbershop 2: Back in Business and rose to prominence in 2006 for her breakthrough role in Akeelah and the Bee as well as starring in Madea's Family Reunion. Palmer has also starred in films such as The Longshots (2008) and Shrink (2009). In 2012, Palmer starred in four films Joyful Noise, Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and Virgin Mary. Besides films, Palmer has also starred in the television films Knights of the South Bronx (2005), Jump In! (2007), and Rags (2012) among others. Palmer has also had numerous television roles including the lead role in Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP. Palmer earned $20,000 per episode of True Jackson, VP, which made her the fourth-highest-paid child star on television. She was also a series regular on Scream Queens, a horror-camp television show, which debuted on the Fox Network on September 22, 2015.

Early life

Palmer was born on August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois and grew up in a Christian household. Her parents, Sharon and Larry Palmer, who met in drama school, had both worked as professional actors before settling into full-time jobs. Her father works for a polyurethane company, and her mother is a high school teacher who works with autistic children. Palmer first sang in a church but earned exposure performing at a stage show at a Chicago tourist destination.

Career

2002-06: Career beginnings

In 2002, Palmer auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at age nine. In 2004, she gained her first film role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business, in which she played the niece of American rapper and actress Queen Latifah. After starring in the film, Palmer and her family moved to California, so Palmer could pursue a career in acting. Palmer then pursued a career in singing. In 2003, she participated in American Juniors, the American Idol spin-off series, but her audition scenes were edited out and the show was canceled that year. In 2005, Palmer signed a record deal with Atlantic Records. Her debut single, "All My Girlz", is featured in the Akeelah and the Bee soundtrack. In 2005, Palmer was featured in the television film Knights of the South Bronx, as well as starring in three television programs Second Time Around and ER. In 2005 signed with Disney Channel to star in the show Keke & Jamal, but the pilot was unaired and Palmer left the channel.

On November 18, 2006, she performed at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California for VH1's Save the Music Battle of the High School Marching Bands competition, marking her first ever stadium performance in front of thousands of people. In addition, as part of her contract with Disney, Palmer sang the songs "It's My Turn Now" and "Jumpin'" featured in the Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In!, in which she stars as Mary, the love interest to Corbin Bleu's character. In 2006, Palmer was featured in the music video for the Ludacris and Mary J. Blige song "Runaway Love", in which she starred as a pregnant 11-year-old girl. That same year, she recorded a song entitled "Tonight" which was featured as the first song in the end credits of Night at the Museum. Besides focusing on her music career, Palmer had the lead role in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, in which she played a bright 11-year-old who comes from a poor neighborhood and competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Palmer also had a supporting role in the 2006 film Madea's Family Reunion.

2007-12: True Jackson, VP and music

In 2007, Palmer starred in many acting roles, she was a supporting act in the thriller Cleaner alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes. Palmer also had the lead role in the television film Jump In! along with American actor Corbin Bleu. Palmer also starred in two television programs Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Just Jordan. Palmer released her debut album So Uncool on September 18, 2007, though Atlantic Records. The album failed to chart on the US Billboard 200, but did chart at number 85 on the R&B chart. The album was preceded by the second single "Keep It Movin'". In 2008, Palmer began her starring role as the title character in Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP. Palmer also wrote and performed the theme song for the series. Palmer earned $20,000 per episode of True Jackson VP, which made her the fourth-highest-paid child star on television. In July 2009, designer Jane Siskin created a Walmart fashion line inspired by True Jackson, VP, with all the designs being approved by Palmer. The fashion line consists of jumpers, modern dresses, knit tops, T-shirts, leggings, and more. As well as starring in True Jackson, VP, Palmer starred as the lead role in the 2008 film The Longshots, along with Ice Cube, becoming their second film together after Barbershop 2: Back in Business. In 2009, Palmer had a role in the film Shrink in which she played a patient named Jemma, who is a troubled high school student, and is required to see a therapist by her school after cutting her hand by punching a mirror.

In 2010, Palmer was signed by the Chairman of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, and began working on an album. Between her MySpace and SayNow accounts, she has released several snippets of songs that were recorded for possible inclusion on her sophomore album. In a 2011 interview, Palmer stated the album is complete and is in the process of finalization. The self-titled album will be a mixture of R&B/hip-hop with pop undertones. Producers and writers for the album include Lil Eddie and Lucas Secon. In January 2011, Palmer released her first mixtape Awaken. The mixtape was officially released on January 10, 2011, for downloads on mixtape-downloading websites. The first and only single released from the mixtape was "The One You Call". A music video was also released for the song. It premiered on Palmer's official YouTube channel and iTunes. In 2011 she finished her show True Jackson, VP.

In 2012, Palmer starred alongside Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah in the film Joyful Noise, released in January 2012. She produced and starred in Rags, a Nickelodeon musical film, as well as voice characters in Ice Age: Continental Drift and Winx Club. Palmer has also recently been cast in the upcoming comedy Virgin Mary, opposite Abigail Breslin and Carter Jenkins. In 2012, Palmer spoke on the direction of the album saying "It's definitely a progression. What you would think I'd sound like at my age is what it is. It's a record I can say is truly my own. I was there from the beginning to the end. I was in full control of it, and it represents who I am." In July 2012, Palmer released the single "You Got Me" featuring Kevin McCall. The video for the single was released on July 11, 2012. Palmer has also announced a new single named "Dance Alone". Palmer released a self-titled mixtape Keke Palmer on October 1, 2012. It includes her new singles "You Got Me" & "Dance Alone" which have already been released. Since the release, her mixtape has over 35,000 downloads.

2013-present: Television

In 2013 Palmer portrayed Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas in the TLC VH1-biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. The film was completed in April 2013 and aired in October on the VH1 network, as well as being released in select theaters soon after. On May 16, Palmer released a video showing her recording and performing a cover of Alicia Keys song "If I Ain't Got You". She recently took part in a cover of "The Other Side" with Max Schneider. The video was released on YouTube in late June 2013 and is on iTunes without Derulo's part. In 2013, she also portrayed Elizabeth Royce Harwood in four episodes of 90210. Palmer starred in the horror film Animal. Produced by Drew Barrymore, the film co-stars Elizabeth Gilles, Jeremy Sumpter, and Eve and is scheduled for a limited release on June 17, 2014 in theatres and VOD. In addition to being in the film, Palmer also performed and wrote a song entitled "Animal", which is the main theme of the movie of the same name. Palmer was cast in a recurring role in the second season of Showtime's Masters of Sex. She played Coral, a nanny hired by the Masters to care for their new baby. Palmer is currently working with record producer and recording artist Bangladesh on her second studio album.

It was announced on 21 April 2014, that Palmer was hosting her own daytime talk show on BET called Just Keke (formerly The Keke Palmer Project). The show covered a variety of topics including fashion, pop culture, relationships, social issues, celebrity interviews, and much more. The show premiered on June 30, 2014 and it runs on Monday-Friday at 5pm ET/PT. In August 2014, it was announced that Palmer would be the first African-American to star as Cinderella on Broadway in September 2014. She performed her first show on September 9, 2014. Her last show was on a closing night of the show's run on January 4, 2015. In January 2015, she was cast in one of the leading roles in the Fox horror series Scream Queens. On August 21, 2015, Palmer announced her deal with Universal Music Group's Island Records. Her first single with the label, titled "I Don't Belong to You", was released on October 25, 2015. In 2015, it was announced that Palmer would join Grease: Live broadcast on Fox on January 31, 2016 as "Pink Lady" Marty Maraschino along with Vanessa Hudgens, Julianne Hough and Aaron Tveit. Rolling Stone wrote "Keke Palmer as the 'mature' Marty Maraschino was a standout, taking the classic character and completely making her her own. As Maraschino, Palmer was the coolest girl in school and could've easily been the leader of the Pink Ladies with her assertiveness, confidence and biting sense of humor." She released the single "Enemiez" featuring Jeremih for her forthcoming album in March 4, 2016 on iTunes. The single is her second with Island Records. It was sent to US rhythmic radio on March 22, 2016.

In 2016, her memoir was released, titled I Don"?t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice. On June 26, 2016, Palmer released a previously unreleased album she recorded when she was 16, now titled Waited to Exhale. The album was recorded during a dark period in her life when music executives didn't have much faith in her. On November 4, 2016, Palmer released her second extended play titled Lauren through Island Records. A 17-minute short film of the same name was released exclusively on Billboard's website. On April 21, 2017, Palmer released a new single "Wind Up" featuring Quavo of the group Migos.

Artistry

Palmer's first studio album So Uncool was heavily influenced by contemporary R&B, being described as "bright, bouncy, and melodic enough to appeal to teens and pre-teens. Fans of dancey teen pop will want to give this auspicious debut a listen" by cduniverse.com. Palmer was heavily influenced by American R&B singers Ciara, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, and R. Kelly, as well as girl group TLC. Among her urban influences, Palmer also cites pop artists Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne as influences. Following the release of her single "I Don't Belong to You" on October 25, 2015, Palmer took to interviewers to explain the meaning behind her song. "I don"?t belong to anyone else but myself. I have to make my own decisions. Happiness is defined by me. My sexuality is defined by me. And that can change and this can change and I can make it what I want to make it because I"?m the one who makes that choice. So that"?s what "?I Don"?t Belong to You"? is saying. This song feels right. It feels right and it"?s telling who I am. And it captures my identity." Following the interview, she shared with the world via social media that she now identifies as no label.

Philanthropy

Palmer works with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of the American charity Cool To Be Smart program, speaking to children about the importance of learning. She is also a supporter of Urban Farming and the Girl Scouts. She has worked with such charities as the YWCA and with Saving Our Daughters. Curtis Benjamin, the CEO of Saving Our Daughters stated, "We are so excited about having such an extraordinary singer & actress as Keke Palmer, to address these issues of bullying & abuse worldwide with the YWCA USA and with both our missions."? In 2009, she attended the Stars and Strikes benefit for A Place Called Home. As of late 2010, Palmer, along with many other widely known celebrities, has been an avid representative for the "Saving Our Daughters" oath project, an anti-bullying campaign that allows people all over the world to take an oath to stop bullying.

Filmography

Film roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Barbershop 2: Back in Business	Gina's niece
2006	Akeelah and the Bee	Akeelah Anderson
2006	Madea's Family Reunion	Nikki Grady
2007	Cleaner	Rose Cutler
2008	'	Jasmine Plummer
2008	Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare	Crystal Tortoise	Voice
2009	Shrink	Jemma
2012	Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom	Aisha	Voice
2012	Joyful Noise	Olivia Hill
2012	Ice Age: Continental Drift	Peaches	Voice
2013	Curdled	Tara	Short film
2014	Imperial Dreams	Samaara
2014	Animal	Alissa
2015	Brotherly Love	Jackie
2016	Ice Age: Collision Course	Peaches	Voice
2017	Tobacco Valley	Diana Davis	Post-production
2017	Pimp	Wednesday	Filming

Television roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Cold Case	Arletta Marion in 1939	Episode: "The Letter"
2004	Strong Medicine	Sarina	Episode: "Healing Touch"
2004	'	Lou	Television film
2005	Knights of the South Bronx	Kenya Russell	Television film
2005	Second Time Around	Sharlene	Episode: "Big Bank, Little Bank"
2005	ER	Janell Parkerson	Episode: "The Show Must Go On"
2005	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Tasha Wright	Episode: "Storm"
2007	Tyler Perry's House of Payne	Nikki	Episode: "Bully and the Beast"
2007	Just Jordan	C.C. Livingston	Episode: "Fame Game
2007	Jump In!	Mary Thomas	Television film
2008-2011	True Jackson, VP	True Jackson	Lead role
2010	The Cleveland Show	Candice	Voice; Episode: "Harder, Better, Faster, Browner"
2011	Degrassi: The Next Generation	Herself	Episode: "Boom Boom Pow: Parts 1 & 2"
2011-2014	Winx Club	Aisha	Voice; Main role (Season 3-6)
2012	Rags	Kadee Worth	Television film
2012	Abducted: The Carlina White Story	Carlina White	Television film
2013	Key & Peele	Malia Obama's anger translator	Episode: "Obama Shutdown"
2013	Full Circle	Chan'dra Stevens	Episode: "Jace & Chan'dra" Episode: "Chan'dra & Cliff"
2013	90210	Elizabeth Royce Harwood	Recurring role (Season 5)
2013	CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story	Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas	Television film
2014	'	Thelma	Television film
2014	Single Ladies	Herself	Episode: "The Girl Most Likely To..."
2014	Grey's Anatomy	Cheryl	Episode: "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"
2014	Family Guy	Pam	Voice; Episode: "Baby Got Black"
2014	Just Keke	Herself / Host	Lead role
2014	Masters of Sex	Coral Anders	Recurring role (Season 2)
2015-2016	Scream Queens	Zayday Williams	Main role
2016	Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade	Peaches	Voice; Television special
2016	Bubble Guppies	Stylee	Voice; Episode: "Guppy Style!"
2016	Grease: Live	Marty Maraschino	Television special
2016	Project Mc2	Nov8 Agent	Episode: "Bye Bye Birdie" Episode: "Mission Totally Possible"
2016	Real Husbands of Hollywood	Herself	Episode: "The Suitor"
2017	Berlin Station	April Lewis	Main role (Season 2)

Stage

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2014-15	Cinderella	Ella	Broadway musical

Discography

Template:Main article

• So Uncool (2007)
• Waited to Exhale (2016)
• Lauren (2016)

Concert tours

Headlining

• Footworkin' Concert Tour (2007)

Co-headlining

• Radio Disney Jingle Jam (2007)

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2005	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in TV Movie, Miniseries or Special - Leading Young Actress	The Wool Cap	rowspan=2
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special		rowspan=5
2006	Chicago Film Critics Association Awards	Most Promising Performer	Akeelah and the Bee
	Black Movie Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
2007	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
	Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards	Best Young Actress
	Black Reel Awards	Best Actress
		Best Breakthrough Performance		rowspan=3
2008	Young Artist Awards	Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress	Cleaner
	Black Reel Awards	Best Actress	The Longshots
2009	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special	True Jackson, VP	rowspan=2
2010	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special
	Kids Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress
	BET Awards	YoungStars Award
2011	Young Artist Awards	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special
	BET Awards	YoungStars Award
2012	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special
	BET Awards	YoungStars Award	Joyful Noise	rowspan=8
2013	Black Reel Awards	Best Actress in a Television Miniseries or Movie	Abducted: The Carlina White Story
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special	Winx Club: Enchantix
	BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award	Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film (shared with Ice Age Cast)	Ice Age: Continental Drift
	BET Awards	Youngstars Awards	Keke Palmer
2014	Black Reel Awards	Best Actress in a Television Miniseries or Movie	CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
	BET Awards	Youngstars Awards	Keke Palmer
2015	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special	The Trip To Bountiful
	Spirit of the League Awards Gala	Spirit Of The League Champion Award	Philanthropy
2016	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture	Brotherly Love