Keke Palmer

Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer (born August 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, fashion designer, voice actress, and activist. Palmer was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, U.S. after Palmer's film debut, Palmer and her family moved to California to pursue her career.
In 2007, Keke released her debut album, So Uncool, on September 18, 2007, through Atlantic Records. The album failed to chart on any major charts, but did chart at 85 on the US R&B chart. The album was preceded by the lead 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. In 2006, Palmer starred in Akeelah and the Bee and Madea's Family Reunion. The following year Palmer was featured in the film Cleaner. Palmer has also starred in films 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 television films Knights of the South Bronx (2005) and Jump In! (2007) amongst others. Palmer also voiced Peaches in the Ice Age franchise. Palmer has also had numerous television roles including 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.
She also voiced a teen/young adult Peaches in the Ice Age franchise.
==Life and career==
===1993-04: Early life and career beginnings===
Palmer was born on August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois. 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 children with mental disabilities. Palmer first sang in a church, but earned exposure performing at a stage show at a Chicago tourist destination.
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. 
"I knew opportunities would pop up if I just kept on trying," said Palmer. "I talked it over with my sister, and I didn't have anything to bribe her. I asked her, 'Please?' I knew she was excited about going to high school and I didn't want to take that away from her — but I really wanted my dream to come true. She said, 'You're really talented, and I think this could be good for you."
===2005–07: So Uncool and major acting roles===
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, ER and Keke & Jamal.
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 never makes errors on her spelling tests and doesn't really seem to fit in. Palmer also had a supporting role in the 2006 film Madea's Family Reunion.
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.
===2008–12: True Jackson, VP, mixtape and film projects===
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 $25,000 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 Oak, Lil Eddie, Lucas Secon and others. Palmer stated that the album itself will be released in early 2012. 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 "The One You Call" was released on iTunes in December 7, 2010, and was sent to Urban radio the same day. A music video was also released for the song. It premiered on Palmer's official Youtube channel and iTunes. In 2011, Palmer released a statement on her official website saying that she will be going on a US tour to promote her new music. She asked fans to vote for the states they wanted her to visit first. On September the winning states were announced. They were Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Georgia, Mississippi, Washington D.C., New York, and North Carolina, which is expected to start in 2012. That same year, 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 will produce and star 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Jenkins 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".
===2013—Present: Focus on 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 April 21, 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. On September 13, 2017, it was announced that Palmer will join as a series regular in the third season of the MTV slasher television series Scream. She will star in the role of Kym.
==Artistry==
===Musical style===
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
===Influences===
Palmer was heavily influenced by American R&B singers Brandy, Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and girl group TLC.
Among her urban influences, Palmer also cites pop artists Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne as influences. 
===I Don't Belong To You meaning===
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==
Keke 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.Palmer worked with the charity the YWCA & Saving Our Daughters because of the charities belief of the empowerment of women across. Palmer spoke on the charity saying “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” stated CEO of Saving Our Daughters, Curtis Benjamin. The YWCA has long advocated for empowerment, eliminating racism, eliminating violence and promoting dignity for women and girls,” says Gloria Lau, CEO of YWCA USA. “As advocates of promoting peace, it’s paramount that the YWCA USA takes this tremendous opportunity with Saving Our Daughters and Miss Keke Palmer to tackle the issue of bullying in our nation. Awareness of this type of violence needs to be heightened nationally,” Lau continued, “and we are committed to exposing its negative impact on our society and more specifically women, girls, and our daughters.”
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.
==Trivia==
*Keke wears extensions.
*Keke likes spicy food.
*Keke likes singing more than acting.
*One of Keke's favorite rappers is Kanye West.
*Keke loves to eat.
*Keke wants to work with Nicki Minaj.
*Keke's first real date was on age 16.
*She loves scary movies.
*She is very goofy.
*She wears glasses.
*She can rap.
*One of her best friends is Ashley Argota.
*She is friends with Ariana Grande.
==Filmography==
Films
Year	Title 	Role 	Notes
2004	Barbershop 2: Back in Business 	Gina's Niece 	Credited as Lauren Keyana Palmer
2004	The Wool Cap 	Lou 	TV movie; Main role
2005	Knights of the South Bronx 	Kenya Russell 	TV movie
2006	Akeelah and the Bee 	Akeelah Anderson	Lead role
2006	Madea's Family Reunion 	Nikki Grady 	Supporting role
2007	Cleaner 	Rose Cutler 	Supporting role
2007	Jump In! 	Mary Thomas 	TV movie; Main role
2008	The Longshots 	Jasmine Plummer 	Main role
2008	Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare 	Crystal Tortoise	Voice
2009	Shrink 	Jemma 	Supporting role
2012	Joyful Noise[19] 	Olivia Hill 	Main role
2012	Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom	Aisha 	Voice; Main role
2012	Ice Age: Continental Drift 	Peaches 	Voice; Supporting role
2012	Rags 	Kadee Worth 	TV movie; Lead role, Producer
2013	Curdled 	Tara 	Short Film
2014	Imperial Dreams 	Lead Role 	
2014	Animal 	Alyssa 	Lead Role
2015	Brotherly Love 	Jackie 	Main Role
2016	Ice Age: Collision Course 	Peaches 	
2018	Tobacco Valley 	Diana Davis 	Post-production
2018	Pimp 	Wednesday 	Filming
Television
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes
2004 	Cold Case 	Arlene Marion 	"The Letter" (Episode 13, Season 1)
2004 	Strong Medicine 	Sarina 	"Race for a Cure" (Episode 7, Season 5)
2005 	Second Time Around 	Sharlene 	"Big Bank, Little Bank" (Episode 11, Season 1)
2005 	ER 	Janell Parkerson 	"The Show Must Go On" (Episode 22, Season 11)
2005 	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 	Tasha Wright 	"Storm" (Episode 10, Season 7)
2005 	Keke & Jamal 	Keke Stewart 	Unsold TV Pilot (Disney Channel)
2007 	Tyler Perry's House of Payne 	Nikki 	"Bully and the Beast" (Episode 1, Season 2)
2007 	Just Jordan 	C.C. Livingston 	"Fame Game" (Episode 17, Season 2)
2008–2011 	True Jackson, VP 	True Jackson 	Lead role
2009 	MTV Cribs 	Herself 	
2009–present	Brainsurge 	Presenter 	
2010 	The Cleveland Show 	Candice 	"Harder, Better, Faster, Browner" (Episode 22, Season 2)
2011 	Degrassi 	Herself 	(Season 11 - Episodes 1 & 2; "Spring Fever") Mentioned as Keyana Palmer.
2011–2014 	Winx Club 	Layla/Aisha 	Voice; Regular role
2012 	Abducted: The Carlina White Story Abducted	Carlina White 	Lead Role, Television Film
2013 	Key & Peele 	Malia Obama's angel 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 	The Trip to Bountiful 	Thelma 	Television Film
2014 	Single Ladies 	Herself 	Episode: "The Girl Most Likely To..."
2014 	Grey Anatomy 	Cheryl 	Episode: "We Gotta Get Out of This Place"
2014 	Family Guy 	Pam 	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 	Grease: Live 	Marty Maraschino 	Television special
2016 	Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade 	Peaches 	Voice; Television special
2016 	Bubble Guppies 	Stylee 	Voice; Episode: "Guppy Style!"
2016 	Raymond & Lane 	Keyana 	Episode: Lords of the Land
2016 	Project Mc2 	Nov8 Agent 	Episode: "Bye Bye Birdie"
Episode: "Mission Totally Possible"
2016 	Real Husbands of Hollywood 	Herself 	Episode: "The Suitor"
2017—present	Star 	Gigi Nixon 	Recurring (Season 2)
2017—present	Berlin Station 	April Lewis 	Main role (Season 2—)
2018 	Scream 	Kym 	Main role (Season 3)
===Internet===
Year	Title 	Role 	Notes
2017	That's the Gag 	Keke Smith	Lead role
2017	Good Mythical Morning	Herself 	Guest Role, S 13 ep. 38
===Stage===
Year 	Title 	Role	Notes
2014—15	Cinderella	Eva 	Broadway musical
==Discography==
*So Uncool (2007)
*Awaken (2011)
*Awaken Reloaded (2011)
*Rags (Soundtrack) (2012)
*Keke Palmer (2012)
*Waited To Exhale (2016)
*Lauren (EP) (2016)
*KeyanaNikole (2017)
*The Boss (2020)
==Concert tours==
Headlining
*Footworkin' Concert Tour (2007)
Co-headlining
*Radio Disney Jingle Jam (with Mitchel Musso and Drew Seeley) (2007)
==Awards and nominations==
Year	Award 	Category 	Motive 	Result
2005	Young Artist Award 	"Best Performance in TV Movie, Miniseries or Special - Leading Young Actress" 	The Wool Cap 	Nominated
2005	Screen Actors Guild Awards 	"Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries" 	The Wool Cap 	Nominated
2005	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" 	The Wool Cap 	Nominated
2006	Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 	"Most Promising Performer" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Nominated
2006	Black Movie Awards 	"Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Won
2007	Young Artist Award 	"Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Won
2007	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Won
2007	Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards	"Best Young Actress" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Nominated
2007	Black Reel Awards 	"Best Actress" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Won
2007	Black Reel Awards 	"Best Breakthrough Performance" 	Akeelah and the Bee 	Nominated
2008	 	 	 	
2008	Young Artist Awards 	"Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress" 	Cleaner 	Nominated
2008	Black Reel Awards 	"Best Actress" 	The Longshots 	Nominated
2009	NAACP Image Awards 	"NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special"	True Jackson, VP 	Won
2010	NAACP Image Awards 	"NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special"	True Jackson, VP 	Won
2010	Kids Choice Awards 	"Favorite TV Actress" 	True Jackson, VP 	Nominated
2010	BET Awards 	"YoungStars Award" 	True Jackson, VP 	Won
2011	Young Artist Awards 	"Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress" 	True Jackson, VP 	Nominated
2011	NAACP Image Awards 	"NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special"	True Jackson, VP 	Won
2011	BET Awards 	"YoungStars Award" 	True Jackson, VP 	Nominated
2012	NAACP Image Awards 	"NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special"	True Jackson, VP 	Won
2012	BET Awards 	"YoungStars Award" 	Joyful Noise 	Nominated
2013	Black Reel Awards 	"Best Actress in a Television Miniseries or Movie" 	Abducted: The Carlina White Story	Nominated
2013	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" 	Abducted: The Carlina White Story	Nominated
2013	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special" 	Winx Club: Enchantix 	Nominated
2013	BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award 	"Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film (shared with Ice Age Cast)" 	Ice Age: Continental Drift 	Nominated
2013	BET Awards 	"Youngstars Awards" 	Keke Palmer 	Nominated
2013	BET Awards 	Chief Keef-"Keke Palmer" 	Dedication 	Nominated
2014	Black Reel Awards 	"Best Actress in a Television Miniseries or Movie" 	CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story 	Nominated
2014	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" 	CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story 	Nominated
2014	BET Awards 	"Youngstars Awards" 	Keke Palmer 	Won
2015	NAACP Image Awards 	"Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" 	The Trip To Bountiful 	Nominated
2015	Spirit of the League Awards Gala 	"Spirit Of The League Champion Award" 	Philanthrop 	Won
2016	NAACP Image Awards 	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 	Brotherly Love 	Nominated
Category:Keke Palmer