Keke Palmer Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
Keke Palmer is opening up about her experience as a child actor and her time working on the hit network Nickelodeon.
“Obviously I had a good time performing, and I feel happy that I had the joy of doing something that I really, really loved to do,” she told The Independent in an interview published on Sunday, March 2. “But it doesn’t fall deaf on me that I was supporting my family financially. I was a child entertainer making more money than my mom and my dad. It was definitely crazy.
Palmer went on to describe the experience as “very, very stressful,” in part because there were so many adults in the room with their own, varying opinions.
“I had to deal with a lot of opinions and thoughts and adult [responsibilities] that no kid really wants to deal with,” she explained. “But because I’m happy with my life now, I can’t really sit here and regret any of it or harbor any resentment towards it because I’m out the other side.”
Her experience as a young actor is one reason why she goes out of her way to watch out for the young actors she comes across on set today.
“It’s hard to be a child performer, to get out there and do the banana dance over and over and over again,” she said. “It can be joyful while it can also be dehumanizing, and I work really hard to be transparent about that with the next generation.”
Palmer is celebrating the release of her comedy One of Them Days, which costars SZA. Palmer said she’s “always” wanted to make a “buddy comedy” and the film was the perfect opportunity.
“It’s about friendship, community, and these young women overcoming systemic challenges,” she explained. “It’s significant that the movie has made its budget back, and that people enjoyed it and loved it, because that’s going to allow more things like this to be made. And it’s significant that we now have proof that people want to see films like this.”
Palmer also recently made waves when she wore a vintage Chanel gown once owned by Jamie Lee Curtis to the 2025 Screen Actor Guild Awards on February 23. Palmer also wore the same gloves donned by Curtis at the 1986 American Cinematheque Award Salute.
Curtis shared side-by-side photos of both women wearing the dress on Instagram that same day. “As much as I would love to say it was mine, it was borrowed from my friend @debopp and I’m thrilled to be anywhere near @keke in style and grace and talent!” she wrote.
Palmer commented, “My QUEEN! I love you!!!!”
