Keke Palmer is a name that resonates across Hollywood and beyond. As an actress, singer, and TV personality, she has achieved incredible success in various fields. From starring in blockbuster hits to hosting her own talk show on BET, Palmer has proven time and again that she is a true multi-talent. She even made history as the first Black actress to play Cinderella on Broadway.
Now, Palmer has once again stepped into the literary world with her memoir, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative. The book is a personal account of her journey, filled with stories of growth, challenges, and triumphs. Through it, Palmer gives readers a glimpse into her life and how she has navigated fame while staying true to herself and breaking barriers along the way.
Here are five things we learned about her from her memoir:
1. Keke Palmer is Versatile
The title of Keke Palmer’s memoir, Master of Me, is a clever twist on the saying “jack of all trades, master of none.” This phrase often criticizes multi-talented people, but Palmer flips it to celebrate her versatility. While acting remains her greatest passion, she has successfully branched out into other creative avenues.
Palmer is unstoppable, starring in upcoming projects like Eddie Murphy’s comedy The Pickup and Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune. She’s also producing a buddy comedy with SZA, titled One of Them Days, and leading a Peacock adaptation of The ’Burbs.
Her memoir is packed with candid stories and motivational insights. It mixes behind-the-scenes stories with life lessons she has learned along the way. One chapter stands out as she remembers a viral debate comparing her career to that of Zendaya, another former child star.
Without naming names, Palmer discusses how societal biases often attempt to downplay achievements based on skin color. Instead of getting caught up in these comparisons, she focused on self-worth and encouraged others to do the same. This diva’s success doesn’t fit into a single mold.
2. Keke Palmer Stood Her Ground in Hollywood
In Master of Me, Palmer opened up about a challenging experience while working on the Fox series Scream Queens. She recalled a situation where director Ryan Murphy labeled her “unprofessional” after she chose to honor a prior commitment on what was supposed to be her day off.
Production had suddenly informed her that she was needed on set, but Palmer stood by her decision to stick to her plans. This led to a tense phone call with Murphy, during which he expressed his disappointment. According to The Hollywood Reporter (via L.A. Times) Palmer said,
It was kind of like I was in the dean’s office. He was like, ‘I’ve never seen you behave like this. I can’t believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this.
Although she apologized, the incident left her feeling uneasy. She also suspected that the incident may have affected her chances of working with Murphy ever again.
Palmer remembers this moment with maturity, acknowledging that Murphy was simply prioritizing his business. She also emphasized that she views herself as a business, too, and takes her career decisions just as seriously.
This incident might have impacted her chances of becoming a regular collaborator with Murphy, unlike other stars who frequently work with him. However, she did not let the incident define her or her worth as an artist. Palmer proved that she can stand by her decisions, even in high-pressure situations. This diva showed that she won’t compromise her principles, even in the face of potential career setbacks.
3. Keke Palmer Did Not Let Racist Comments Hold Her Back
Keke Palmer shares a painful experience in her memoir, recounting an incident during her time on Scream Queens. She faced a racially insensitive remark from a co-star, whom she refers to as “Brenda.”
After trying to diffuse a disagreement between cast members, Palmer asked everyone to focus on having fun and show mutual respect. Instead of responding positively, “Brenda” made a harsh, racist comment directed at her. According to L.A. Times, “Brenda” said,
Keke, literally, just don’t. Who do you think you are? Martin f—— Luther King?
Palmer wrote further saying,
It was such a weighted thing that she said, but I didn’t allow that weight to be projected on me, because I know who I am. I’m not no victim. That’s not my storyline, sweetie. I don’t care what her ass said. If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would.
Rather than letting the comment shake her confidence, Palmer chose to rise above it. She refused to let someone else’s negativity define her or her worth.
4. Keke Palmer Built a Legacy
Palmer has understood the importance of financial independence from a very young age. As a child, she realized how much her family relied on her income after her parents quit their jobs to support her Hollywood dreams. According to the Los Angeles Times, she wrote in her book,
The pressure came from me realizing that there was no other outside income, so if I failed at any point, we would be in trouble.
While her parents reassured her that they’d find a way to manage if acting didn’t work out, Palmer felt immense pressure to keep succeeding.
These early experiences shaped her views on money and stability. As she grew older, Palmer decided she didn’t want to rely solely on her acting career for income. She further wrote,
I realized that I didn’t want to be Mickey Mouse, I wanted to be Walt Disney. I don’t want to keep dancing until the end of time. So I research a lot — I research Walt Disney, Estée Lauder, and all of their families are still a part of their companies. There’s a foundation of: ‘We got to do something that our family and our community can benefit from.
Inspired by icons like Walt Disney and Estée Lauder, she began researching how to create a lasting legacy that could support her family and community for years to come. This shows Palmer is not only a talented performer but also a visionary thinker.
5. Her Relationship With Darius Jackson Taught Her Hard Lessons
In Master of Me, Palmer opened up about her past relationship with Darius Jackson, the father of her son, Leo. She candidly discussed the ups and downs of their relationship, revealing why they eventually decided to part ways.
What began as a genuine and loving bond evolved into an unhealthy dynamic for both of them. Palmer realized that staying in the relationship could have long-term consequences, especially for their son. She made the difficult decision to leave, prioritizing Leo’s well-being. She wanted to focus on creating a positive environment for him to grow up in.
According to L.A. Times, Palmer wrote in her memoir claiming,
Darius will be holding our eight-month-old son and saying to him, ‘Your mama is a whore/a c—/a liar/no one wants her.’ I know Leo is still too young to understand these words, but the fact that Darius would spew such vile language at a baby is very concerning to me.
Their relationship came under public scrutiny after Jackson criticized Palmer’s outfit choice at an Usher concert. This sparked instant online controversy. Things got worse when Palmer was granted a temporary restraining order against Jackson, alleging physical and verbal abuse. This period was one of the most challenging times in her life, as she navigated the situation through legal channels.