Report: Keke Palmer Fires Back at Comparison to Zendaya Over Colorism: “I’m an Incomparable Talent”

Advertisements
Keke Palmer JC OLIVERA/GETTY IMAGES

After the success of her last film, “Nope,” a tweet about Palmer’s professional path went viral.

Zendaya’s recent social media comparisons to Keke Palmer’s career don’t appear to be going over well with the actress.

There has been much discussion on Twitter this weekend about the seeming disparity in mainstream popularity between Zendaya and Nope star Palmer, which was cited as “one of the clearest examples of how colorism plays out in Hollywood.” Palmer and Zendaya are both former child stars, according to the Twitter thread, but Nope is being hailed as Palmer’s breakout performance.

Advertisements

It’s an example of colorism,” Palmer wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “To believe that I can be compared to anyone.” I’m the youngest talk show host in history. Nickelodeon’s first black female lead and the first black Cinderella on Broadway. I’m a one-of-a-kind prodigy. My baby, Keke Palmer, is here to stay.”

“I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old,” the 28-year-old actress remarked. Even though I have more than a hundred credits to my name, I’m not now appearing in the highest-grossing film of an original screenplay. Although I couldn’t have asked for a better career, “God continues to surprise me.”

Nope, a science fiction horror thriller starring Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya, debuted at the top of the weekend box office with an estimated $44 million.

Advertisements

Nicktoon’s True Jackson, VP, starring Palmer, started in 2008 and lasted for three seasons. Scream Queens, Hustlers, and a voice appearance in Pixar picture Lightyear this year are among her other credits, as is a time as co-host of Good Morning America’s third hour dubbed Strahan, Sara & Keke. She also appeared in Akeelah and the Bee and Scream Queens.

Leave a Comment