Keke Palmer
| Keke Palmer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lauren Keyana Palmer August 26, 1993 Harvey, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, fashion designer, voice actress, activist |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Website | |
| www.kekepalmer.com | |
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 also starred as the title character in the 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.[2]
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[edit] Early life
Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois.[1] 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]
In 2002, Palmer auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King at the age of nine. [3]
[edit] Akeelah and the Bee, singing career and So Uncool
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. 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.
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.
[edit] 2008–Present True Jackson, VP, second studio album, 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.
In 2010, Palmer was signed by the Chairman of Interscope Records Jimmy Iovine and began working on an album.[5] 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 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. The tour is expected to start in 2012.
She 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.[6] Palmer has also recently been cast in the upcoming comedy Virgin Mary, opposite Abigail Breslin and Carter Jenkins.[7]
[edit] 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, and more for under $14.[8]
[edit] Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Supporting role |
| 2008 | The Longshots | Jasmine Plummer | Main role |
| 2009 | Shrink | Jemma | Supporting role |
| 2012 | Joyful Noise[9] | Olivia Hill | Main role |
| 2012 | Ice Age: Continental Drift | Peaches | Supporting role |
| 2012 | Rags | Kadee Worth | Lead role |
| 2012 | Virgin Mary[7] | TBA | Supporting role |
| Television films | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | The Wool Cap | Lou | Main role |
| 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 |
| 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) | |
| Keke & Jamal | Keke Stewart | Unsold TV Pilot (Disney Channel/Walt Disney Television) | |
| 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) | |
| 2008–2011 | True Jackson, VP | True Jackson | Lead role |
| 2009 | MTV Cribs | Herself | |
| 2009–present | Brainsurge | Herself | |
| 2010 | The Cleveland Show | Brandi | "Harder, Better, Faster, Browner" (Episode 22, Season 2) |
| 2011 | Degrassi | Herself | (Season 11 - Episodes 1 & 2; "Spring Fever") Mentioned as Keyana Palmer. |
| 2011 | Winx Club | Layla/Aisha | Regular role |
[edit] Discography
- EPs
- 2007: Keke Palmer
- Albums
- 2007: So Uncool
- 2012: Keke Palmer (Vibrance)
- Mixtapes
- 2011: Awaken
[edit] 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 |
| 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 | ||
| 2011 | Young Artist Awards | "Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress" | Nominated | |
| NAACP Awards | "NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special" | Won | ||
| BET Awards | "YoungStars Award" | Nominated |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ebony Haynes, Gumbo Magazine July, 2006, page 31 (scan in KekePalmer.com)
- ^ TV's Highest-Paid Kid Actors (Surprise! Miley Cyrus Isn't No. 1)
- ^ a b Breznican, Anthony (April 28, 2006). "'Bee' star is a real keeper". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-04-26-akeelah_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Schaeffer, Stephen (April 28, 2006). "MOVIES; Rising star a winner in `Bee'". Boston Herald. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/1028701281.html?dids=1028701281:1028701281&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+28%2C+2006&author=STEPHEN+SCHAEFER&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=MOVIES%3B+Rising+star+a+winner+in+%60Bee'&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2010-12-29. "Her father works for a polyurethane company and her mother teaches autistic children."
- ^ Keke Palmer's Twitter account
- ^ Keke Palmer Plots Strong 2011 With TV, , Music and Animations
- ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (2011-09-06). "Breslin to 'Virgin Mary' - Entertainment News, Film News, Media". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042244?refCatId=13. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- ^ Keke Palmer Launches True Jackson Clothing Line for Walmart
- ^ "Keke Palmer Set For 'Joyful Noise'". KillerMovies.com. http://www.killermovies.com/j/joyfulnoise/news/3085_Keke_Palmer_Set_For_Joyful_Noise.html. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Keke Palmer at the Internet Movie Database
- Keke Palmer on Twitter
- Keke Palmer on Myspace
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- 1993 births
- Actors from Illinois
- African American actors
- African American child actors
- African American female singers
- American child actors
- American child singers
- American pop singers
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American voice actors
- Atlantic Records artists
- English-language singers
- Interscope Records artists
- Living people
- Musicians from Illinois
- People from Robbins, Illinois
