Keke Palmer recently did an interview with WSJ Magazine. It’s pretty reflective, ranging from her thoughts on becoming a mother, to her new project Big Boss, to thoughts on her career and what she’s learned from various friends and colleagues in the industry. I thought it was interesting, particularly the parts where she talks about what she’s learned and observed from others. Some highlights:
On becoming a mother: “I can figure out anything. The kind of skills you learn to have being a mother— ain’t nothing that big of a deal.”
On her highly personal new project, Big Boss: “Putting it all together was very therapeutic. I was able to look at myself a little bit more objectively — what I went through and how all those things are a part of what I had to experience in order to grow and learn.”
On her mentors: “Tons of mentors: Queen Latifah, my mom [Sharon Palmer], obviously. People like Kevin Hart, Tyler Perry. People who have just given me time. I think [mentorship] is not an everyday thing. Over the span of time, you work with someone, or you talk with someone, and they give you a moment, or they allow you to understand how they did something.”
On what she learned when hosting the MET Gala red carpet last year: “How many people didn’t know what they were doing there.It’s really cool to see that everybody is trying to figure out their place or how to exist. Being in the entertainment industry, everybody always thinks those feelings go away when you become a quote, unquote star. But if you are in the room with people who do the same things, then why wouldn’t those same feeling apply? We are all still people trying to exist and trying to figure out how to show up.”
On what she learned from Jordan Peele while filming Nope: “He changed my approach to being in this industry, more than anything—just seeing how he doesn’t put pressure on himself for things to be perfect. He’s continuously perfecting and changing how he thinks about a project. And he’s open to allowing other creatives he’s working with to weigh in. It was really cool to see someone at his level still be such a major collaborator and also be so unafraid to change things.”
On the best advice she’s ever received: “Just to keep going. I’ve heard it from Samuel Jackson, from [producer] Ralph Farquhar, from a lot of different people throughout my career. With this industry, it’s a marathon not a race. You’re not always going to be the most trending, popular person, but keep going and keep working and learning and acquiring new skills. That’s the win—to be able to make this a lasting career.”
On the one role she wants to play next: “I’ve always wanted to be in an action comedy. It’d be so cool to do something with The Rock.”
I think Keke made some really great points throughout the interview. For instance, her point on mentorship — I’d never thought of it that way, but it really is not an everyday thing. Different people can be your mentor throughout different parts of your life and career and you can appreciate the time and help they give you in the moment without it being a consistent thing. And Keke’s insight about the Met Gala is interesting. From the outside, a normal person would think celebs feel together and that they “belong” at those events, but her point that when everyone is at the same point, those normal feelings of uncertainty creep back in for them, is an interesting take I wouldn’t have thought of either. It sounds like working with Jordan Peele is a great experience. And we can really see her applying that “just keep going” advice to her career in real time. She seems to be keeping her foot on the gas and has more opportunities and exposure than ever. And I think she’d be great in an action comedy with The Rock. Someone make that happen. She’s so funny and I’d buy her in an action role.
photos credit: Backgrid, Cover Images and via Instagram
It surprises me she wants a movie with the Rock since he’s mostly male fluff. I thought she was a serious actor. Oh well.
She’s allowed to want to do fun projects. An action adventure could be a fun thing she wants to do.
girl_ninja, of course she can. I personally think there’s too much fluff and prefer different types of movies.
@Southern Fried
Shut up you sound jealous acting like she can’t do fun movies and be a serious actress at the same time.
@Southern Fried: Why not both?
What a bizarre comment. What does her wanting to do an action comedy have to do with her being a serious actor?? That’s first off – not an actual thing. Secondly, even Oscar winners do fluff films and action films. Actors like to do all types of work. It’s called being versatile. If you don’t like action comedies, that’s fine. No need to insinuate that Keke doesn’t take her work seriously.
Keke is getting Hollywood face. She’s starting to look generic, which sucks, cause she was a unique sort of beauty.
She literally just had a baby. Stop
She just had a baby and I think her body and face is banging.
Dwayne has yet to do a film with a black woman lead so I wonder if this will ever happen?
I’d have thought she’d want the chance to be in a good action movie and work with TC or Marvel but I guess not.
We love you Keke!!! Do all the things your heart desires. We will show up with our coins to support❤️
She is looking better than ever! I hope she does do a comedy with the Rock. I bet she’s great at comedy. Let ALL the doors open for her. She’s worked damned hard for years to get where she is. Love her.