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, though 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 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 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_In! Jump In!]'' (2007) amongst others. 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.[1]

1993-04: Early life and career beginnings
Palmer was born on August 26, 1993 in  Harvey, Illinois. [2]  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, Larry, works for a polyurethane company, and her mother, Sharon, is a high school teacher who works with children with  mental disabilities. [3] [4] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">Palmer first sang in a church but earned exposure performing at a stage show at a Chicago tourist destination. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-biography.com_4-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[5]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">In 2002, Palmer auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at age nine.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Today_2-1" style="line-height:1em;">[3] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-biography.com_4-1" style="line-height:1em;">[5] "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."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-biography.com_4-2" style="line-height:1em;">[5]

2005–07: So Uncool and major acting roles
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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 withAtlantic 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.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_In! 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.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_In! Jump In!]'' along with American actor Corbin Bleu. Palmer also starred in two television programs Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Just Jordan.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">Palmer began dating Everybody Hates Chris star Tyler James Williams in 2007. That same year, her debut album So Uncool was released on September 18, 2007, on Atlantic Records, with the single "Keep It Movin'" preceding the album release. The album failed commercially and Palmer parted ways with Atlantic the next year.

Discography
Main article: Keke Palmer discography*So Uncool (2007)
 * Awaken (2011)
 * Keke Palmer (2012)

2008–11: True Jackson, VP, mixtape and film projects
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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. That same year, she ended her year and a half relationship with Tyler James Williams. Palmer earned $20,000 per episode of True Jackson VP, which made her the fourth highest-paid child star on television.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popeater_0-1" style="line-height:1em;">[1] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height:1em;">[6] 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.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">In 2010, Palmer was signed by the Chairman of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine and began working on an album.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height:1em;">[7] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-itapez.com_7-0" style="line-height:1em;">[8] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" style="line-height:1em;">[9] 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.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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 Driftand Winx Club.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1em;">[10] Palmer has also recently been cast in the upcoming comedy Virgin Mary, opposite Abigail Breslin andCarter Jenkins.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-variety1_10-0" style="line-height:1em;">[11]

2012–present: Second studio album
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1em;">[12] In July 2012, Palmer released the single "You Got Me" featuring Kevin McCall. The video for the single was released on July 11, 2012.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height:1em;">[13]

Musical style
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height:1em;">[14]

Influences
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">Palmer was heavily influenced by American R&B singers Brandy, Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and girl groupTLC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1em;">[15]

Philanthropy
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-looktothestars.org_15-0" style="line-height:1em;">[16] 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.”<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1em;">[17]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">In 2009, she attended the Stars and Strikes benefit for A Place Called Home.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-looktothestars.org_15-1" style="line-height:1em;">[16] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" style="line-height:1em;">[18]