Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer (born August 26, 1993) is an American actress and singer who rose to fame for her performance in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee.[1] She currently stars as the title character in the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP.
Early life
Palmer was born in Robbins, Illinois.[1] Her father, Larry, works for a polyurethane company[citation needed], and her mother, Sharon, is a high school teacher who works with children with mental disabilities[citation needed].[2][3]
In 2002, Palmer auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at the age of nine. Although she did not win the role, her family moved to Los Angeles in 2004 so Palmer could pursue a screen career.[4]
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 on the Akeelah and the Bee soundtrack. 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, love interest to Corbin Bleu. In 2006, Palmer was featured in the music video for the Ludacris and Mary J. Blige song "Runaway Love", she starred as an eleven-year old pregnant girl in the video. 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.
In 2007, Palmer re-recorded the song "True to Your Heart" (from Disney's Mulan) for the DisneyMania 5 CD, and in 2008 re-recorded the song Reflection, (also from Mulan) for the DisneyMania 6 CD.
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 to have chart success and Palmer parted ways with Atlantic the next year. The song "Bottoms Up" from this album was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2008 dance film Make It Happen.
In 2008, Palmer began her starring role as the title character in Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP. Palmer also performs the theme song for the series.
In 2009, Palmer signed a record deal with Interscope Records and began working on an album to be released in 2011.[5] Between her MySpace and SayNow accounts she has released several snippets of songs that were recorded for possible inclusion on her forthcoming album. Her song, "Top of the World" was premiered during the 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving morning of 2009.[6]
In a recent interview,[when?] Palmer stated the album is complete and is in the process of finalization. The as-of-yet untitled album will be a mixture of R&B/Hip-Hop with pop undertones. Producers and writers for the album include Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, Oak, Lil Eddie and others. Palmer stated the lead single will be released within the next month and that the album itself will be released around next year.
In November 2010, Keke Palmer posted a video on youtube of her singing the song 'Joyful Noise'. It was later clarified that she would be starring in a movie next year alongside Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah called Joyful Noise.
Fashion career
In July 2009, Palmer launched a Wal-Mart fashion line inspired by her Nickelodeon show, True Jackson, VP. The fashion line consists of jumpers, modern dresses, knit tops, T-shirts, leggings, jeans and more for under $14.
FilmographyFilm Year Film Role Notes 2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business Gina's Niece credited as Lauren Keyana Palmer 2006 Akeelah and the Bee Akeelah Anderson Lead role Madea's Family Reunion Nikki Grady Supporting role 2007 Cleaner Rose Cutler Main role 2008 The Longshots Jasmine Plummer 2009 Shrink Jemma Supporting role 2011 Joyful Noise[8] TBA 2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Peaches[9] Television Films Year Title Role Notes 2004 The Wool Cap Lou 2005 Knights of the South Bronx Kenya Russell supporting role 2007 Jump In! Mary Thomas Main role Straight-to-DVD Year Title Role Notes 2008 Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare Crystal Tortoise Voice Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 Keke & Jamal Keke Stewart Unsold TV pilot (Disney Channel/Walt Disney Television) 2008–present True Jackson, VP True Jackson Lead role Television guest appearances Year Title Role Notes 2004 Cold Case Arlene Marion "The Letter" (episode 13, season 1) Strong Medicine Sarina "Race for a Cure" (episode 7, season 5) 2005 Second Time Around Sharlene "Big Bank, Little Bank" (episode 11, season 1) ER Janell Parkerson "The Show Must Go On" (episode 22, season 11) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Tasha Wright "Storm" (episode 10, season 7) 2007 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Nikki "Bully and the Beast" (episode 1, season 2) Just Jordan C.C. Livingston "Fame Game" (episode 17, season 2) 2009 Cribs Herself Brainsurge Herself 2010 The Cleveland Show Brandi "Harder, Better, Faster, Browner" (episode 22, season 109)
Music videos "Runaway Love" (Ludacris Feat. Mary J. Blige) - Erica "Excuse Me Mama" - Mishon (Cameo role) "Keep It Movin" - Feat. Meech "All My Girlz" "The Game Song" (Little Video Clip) "It's My Turn Now" "Jump In" "The One You Call"
Discography EPs 2007: Keke Palmer Albums 2007: So Uncool 2011: TBA Soundtracks 2006: Akeelah and the Bee 2006: Night at the Museum 2007: Jump In 2007: DisneyMania 5 2008: DisneyMania 6
Awards and nominationsYear Award Category Motive Result 2005 Young Artist Award "Best Performance in TV Movie, Miniseries or Special - Leading Young Actress" The Wool Cap Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries" Nominated Image Awards "Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" Nominated 2006 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards "Most Promising Performer" Akeelah and the Bee Nominated Black Movie Awards "Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role" Won 2007 Young Artist Award "Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress" Won Image Awards "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" Won Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards "Best Young Actress" Nominated Black Reel Awards "Best Actress" Won "Best Breakthrough Performance" Nominated 2008 Young Artist Awards "Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress" Cleaner Nominated Black Reel Awards "Best Actress" The Longshots Nominated 2009 NAACP Awards "NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special" True Jackson, VP Won 2010 NAACP Awards "NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special" Won Kids Choice Awards "Favorite TV Actress" Nominated BET Awards "YoungStars Award" Won
