|
 Lauren
Keyana Palmer (born August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois)is an American SAG
Award-nominated NAACP Image Award-winning actress and singer. She is perhaps
best known for playing the title role in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee and
as Mary in Jump In!. Most recently, she has starred as Jasmine in the new movie
The Longshots and is set to appear as the main lead in the new Nickelodeon
television series titled, "True Jackson, VP".
Biography
Early life
Keke Palmer was born as Lauren Keyana Palmer in Robbins, Illinois. Her father
works for a polyurethane company, and her mother, Sharon, is an elementary
school teacher who works with children with mental disabilities. Keke has three
siblings, including an older sister (Loreal), who gave her the nickname "Keke".
She began singing in her church's choir at the age of five, and she auditioned
for a stage production of The Lion King at the age of nine. Although she did not
win the role, she fell in love with the process and business. Her family moved
to Los Angeles in 2004 so Palmer could pursue a screen career.
Career
Palmer made her acting debut in the movie Barbershop as Gina's niece, and
between 2004 and 2006, she appeared in episodes of several television series,
including Cold Case, Strong Medicine, ER, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,
Just Jordan, and was subsequently cast in two films released in 2006: playing a
supporting part in Madea's Family Reunion and starring as the lead character,
Akeelah Anderson, a young girl from South Los Angeles who attempts to win a
spelling bee, in Akeelah and the Bee. Akeelah and the Bee was released on April
28, 2006, and Palmer's performance has received several positive notices,
including film critic Roger Ebert's comment that she deserved consideration for
an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Palmer is also pursuing a career in singing. She participated in the 2003
American Juniors, an American Idol spin-off, although she was not particularly
successful. 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, 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 DCOM Jump In!, in which she also stars as Mary, love interest to
Corbin Bleu . She recently finished her new song "Keep it movin." Keke sings the
debut single "Come On Come On" from the upcoming Hello Kitty album "Hello World"
(launching Fall 2008)
She recently appeared in the video for Ludacris' and Mary J. Blige's' "Runaway
Love" as Erica. In 2007, she was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for
Outstanding Actress in a movie (for Akeelah and the Bee), and is one of the
youngest actresses to be nominated for that award. Keke attended the 2007
Stellar Awards which were shown on BET. In 2006, Palmer recorded a song called
“Tonight” for the 2006–2007 production Night at the Museum. Palmer's song is
featured as the opening song on the end credits.
She also guest-starred as the bully in the premiere episode of Tyler Perry's
House of Payne and as a famous celebrity named CeCe on the Nickelodeon series
Just Jordan.
Her debut album So Uncool was released on September 18, 2007, on Atlantic
Records.
Palmer is scheduled to play legendary hip-hop emcee Roxanne Shanté in The
Vapors, a film about the formation and rise of the Juice Crew.
Palmer was given her own television series on Nickelodeon titled, "True Jackson,
VP" which she stars as 15 year old Vice President of a fashion company. The
series is scheduled to premiere November 8.
Palmer was also seen in Mishon Ratliff music video Excuse Me Momma
She is currently working on her second studio album.
Discography
Singles
* 2005 "All My Girlz" - from Akeelah and the Bee
* 2007 "Footwurkin'"
* 2007 "Keep It Movin''"
* 2008 "The Game Song"
* 2008 "True Jackson, VP" Theme Song
* 2008 "Bottoms Up" Single- Uncool
Soundtracks
* 2005 "All My Girlz" - from Akeelah and the Bee
* 2006 "It's My Turn Now" from Jump In!"
* 2006 "Tonight" - featuring Cham - from Night at the Museum
* 2007 "Home For The Holidays" - from A Disney Channel Holiday
* 2007 "True To Your Heart" - DisneyMania 5
* 2008 "Reflection" - from DisneyMania 6'
* 2008 "Come On, Come On" - from Hello World |
