Keke Palmer Says ‘I Wasn’t in the Same Conversations as Victoria Justice, Selena Gomez or Miley Cyrus’ as a Teen Star: I Was the ‘Black Girl on the Network’

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In a conversation with The Cut, Keke Palmer revealed that she discovered early in her Hollywood career that people were trying to impose restrictions upon her. At just 15, Palmer starred in the hit Nickelodeon series “True Jackson, VP,” which ran for three seasons and produced a total of 53 episodes from 2008 to 2011. The show made its debut on Nickelodeon with impressive viewership figures.

Even though Keke Palmer achieved significant fame as a Nickelodeon teen star, she acknowledged that she wasn’t typically included in discussions alongside Victoria Justice, Selena Gomez, or Miley Cyrus during their peak. These actors were the main stars of successful shows like “Victorious,” “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and “Hannah Montana.” Palmer explained that her series was often treated as separate, with it being labeled as either “the Black show” or “Keke Palmer, the Black girl on the network.”

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Despite Keke Palmer’s popularity as a Nickelodeon teen star, she admitted she wasn’t usually mentioned in the same breath as Victoria Justice, Selena Gomez, or Miley Cyrus at that time. These actresses were headlining their own successful shows: “Victorious,” “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and “Hannah Montana.” Palmer explained that her show was often treated differently, being referred to as either “the Black show” or “Keke Palmer, the Black girl on the network.

Palmer stated, “I’ve come to recognize a shift in my perception that stems from understanding I’m often treated differently, which was something I’d long been accustomed to. This realization isn’t new for me, given my experience as the only Black girl in my private school class in Illinois. I don’t measure myself against others, but I certainly don’t compare myself to any white individuals.

Gomez and Cyrus’ show thrived on the Disney Channel, while “Victorious” was another hit series on Nickelodeon. All three actors, including Palmer, dabbled in both acting and music during their teenage years, with differing degrees of achievement in each field.

After “True Jackson” concluded in 2011, Palmer found herself at 18 and began auditioning for film roles, such as those in the “Fast and Furious” series. This phase of her career proved to be more challenging.

Palmer pointed out that you’re at an age where you’re too young for the roles you aspire to, yet too old for those you were previously offered. The image you project is based on your youth, but that’s no longer true. Consequently, you need to establish a fresh, new identity.

At present, Palmer is busy promoting her upcoming comedy titled “One of Them Days,” which features Grammy-winning artist SZA as a co-star. This movie will hit theaters on January 17, distributed by Sony. For a detailed look at Palmer’s profile, visit The Cut’s website.

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2025-01-15 22:17