
Keke Palmer opened up about her complicated relationship with her parents and the immense pressure she faced throughout her career in a candid interview with The Cut. The actress shared that for a long time, she harbored feelings of resentment toward her parents due to the weight of expectations placed on her. Despite her parents never directly vocalizing their expectations, Palmer felt the pressure to rise to the occasion for them, her siblings, and the community, acknowledging that she was “the one that we all came here for.”
In addition to the familial pressure, Palmer revealed how her previous manager caused her significant emotional distress. The manager’s hurtful comment that Palmer’s mother would pass away if she didn’t lose weight deeply traumatized the actress. This remark led Palmer to worry about her mother’s health and the overwhelming financial burden of medical bills. She recalled how this situation profoundly impacted her mental health.
Palmer also reflected on her role as the character True in True VP, a 15-year-old high school student managing a large fashion brand. She found herself relating to the character, who, like Palmer, was navigating the complexities of independence and career pressure. Palmer explained that portraying True’s determination to climb the corporate ladder resonated with her own aspirations, shaping how she approached challenges in her personal and professional life.
Through these experiences, Palmer’s reflections reveal the weight of expectations, both external and internal, that shaped her growth as an individual and as an artist.