Keke Palmer Bio, Age, Husband, Son, The Voice Host Career, Net Worth & 2026 Update
Keke Palmer is an American actress, singer, and television host who has been in the public eye since she was a child. From her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee to her Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP, and from Nope to hosting Password, Palmer has built one of the most versatile careers of her generation. In October 2026 she was in the spotlight again for dressing as Janet Jackson for Halloween and for being named the new host of The Voice starting in 2027. This biography covers her early life in Illinois, her career milestones, her family, and what she is doing in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lauren Keyana “Keke” Palmer |
| Nick Name | Keke |
| Profession | Actress, singer, television host |
| Birth Date | August 26, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years 2 months old |
| Birth Place | Harvey, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson, VP, Nope, One of Them Days, Password |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | Private |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Qualification | Oak Park High School (2011) |
| Religion | Raised Catholic |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse | None |
| Relationships | Previously dated Darius Jackson (2021–2023) |
| Children | One son, Leodis (born February 2023) |
| Family Tree | Parents: Sharon and Lawrence Palmer; one son |
| Hobbies | Singing, dancing, acting, podcasting |
| Current Work | Host of Password (NBC); new host of The Voice season 31 (2027) |
| Years Active | 2002–present |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $8 million (2026) |
Related Names: Darius Jackson, SZA, Janelle Monáe, Regina King, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson.
Early Life & Education
Lauren Keyana Palmer was born on August 26, 1993, in Harvey, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago, and was raised in nearby Robbins, Illinois. She grew up in a Catholic household. Her parents, Sharon and Lawrence “Larry” Palmer, both met in drama school and had worked as professional actors before settling into full-time jobs — her father works for a polyurethane company and her mother is a high school teacher who works with autistic children.
The nickname “Keke” is not a shortening of “Keyana.” According to Palmer, her older sister Loreal had an imaginary friend named Keke before she was born, and the name stuck. Palmer first sang in church and performed at a Chicago tourist attraction. At age nine, she auditioned for a stage production of The Lion King musical.
Palmer attended Oak Park High School in Ventura County, California, graduating in 2011, after her family moved to the Los Angeles area to support her acting ambitions.
Career Journey
Child Star and Breakthrough (2002–2011)
Palmer began acting in 2002 at age nine, with her first film role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004). She signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2005 and released her debut album So Uncool in 2007.
Her breakthrough came in 2006 with Akeelah and the Bee, where she played Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old from a poor neighborhood who competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The role earned her a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award.
From 2008 to 2011, Palmer starred as the title character in the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP, earning $20,000 per episode — making her the fourth-highest-paid child star on television at the time. She also wrote and performed the show’s theme song.
Adult Roles and Broadway (2012–2019)
Palmer voiced Aisha in Nickelodeon’s revival of Winx Club (2011–2014), voiced Peaches in Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), and produced and starred in the TV movie Rags (2012). In 2013 she played Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas in the TLC biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.
In 2014 she made history as the first African-American actress to play Cinderella on Broadway in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She also hosted the BET daytime talk show Just Keke, becoming one of the youngest talk show hosts in television history.
From 2015 to 2016 she starred as Zayday Williams in Ryan Murphy’s horror comedy series Scream Queens and as Marty Maraschino in Grease: Live. In 2019 she appeared in Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, and began co-hosting ABC’s Strahan, Sara and Keke.
Film Leading Lady and Emmy Wins (2020–2025)
Palmer won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for Turnt Up with the Taylors (2021). She voiced Izzy Hawthorne in Pixar’s Lightyear (2022) and starred as Emerald Haywood in Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror Nope (2022), winning the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Since 2022 she has hosted the NBC reboot of Password, with Jimmy Fallon as executive producer. In 2025 she co-headlined One of Them Days with SZA, earning widespread critical acclaim for her performance.
2026: The Voice Host and Halloween
On August 4, 2026, NBC announced that Palmer would be the new host of The Voice in its 31st season, set to premiere in 2027, replacing long-time host Carson Daly. She also serves as a mentor for UCLA students in the School of Theater, Film and Television as part of their “Artist-In-Residence” program, and her KeyTV network distributes three student projects annually.
For Halloween 2026 (October 31), Palmer dressed as Janet Jackson, joining a wave of celebrity Halloween looks that included Kim Kardashian as her daughter North West and Paris Hilton as Britney Spears.
Career Stats
- Film debut: Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)
- Breakthrough: Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
- Star of Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP (2008–2011)
- First African-American Cinderella on Broadway (2014–2015)
- Primetime Emmy Award winner (2021)
- Host of Password on NBC (2022–present)
- New host of The Voice season 31 (2027)
Personal Life
- Children: One son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, born February 2023, with fitness instructor Darius Jackson.
- Ex-partner: Darius Jackson (dated 2021–2023; separated in October 2023).
- Parents: Sharon and Lawrence Palmer.
- Home base: Los Angeles, California.
Dating History and Affairs
Palmer dated fitness instructor Darius Jackson from June 2021. She announced her pregnancy while hosting Saturday Night Live on December 3, 2022, and their son was born in February 2023. The couple separated in October 2023 following allegations of domestic violence; Palmer was granted a temporary restraining order against Jackson and temporary sole custody of their son. She dropped the requests in May 2024.
In 2026 Palmer has been linked to Plaqueboymax and Sean Evans, though she has kept her current dating life mostly private.
Controversies
Palmer’s most public controversy was her 2023 split from Darius Jackson, which involved domestic violence allegations and a restraining order. In 2017 she accused singer Trey Songz of “sexual intimidation” after he allegedly included her in a music video without her consent; Songz denied the claims. No criminal charges have been filed against Palmer.
Awards & Achievements
- Two Primetime Emmy Awards
- Daytime Emmy Award nomination
- NAACP Image Award winner
- Black Reel Award winner
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress (Nope, 2022)
- Time 100 Next list (2019)
- First African-American Cinderella on Broadway (2014)
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Weight: Private
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Dark brown
- Build: Athletic
Quotes
“A feminist is a person who believes in the power of women just as much as they believe in the power of anyone else. It’s equality, it’s fairness, and I think it’s a great thing to be a part of.” — Keke Palmer
“I don’t mind if people look at me like I’m crazy. I’m just being me.” — Keke Palmer
Favorites
- Musical influences: Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Brandy, TLC
- Book: Master of Me (2024), her memoir and self-help guide
- TV hosting: Password on NBC
Earnings
Keke Palmer’s net worth is estimated at $8 million in 2026. Her income comes from film and television acting, music, her hosting work on Password, her KeyTV media network, brand endorsements, and book sales. She earned $20,000 per episode on True Jackson, VP as a child star, and her film roles in Nope and One of Them Days have further raised her profile and earning power.
Interesting Facts
- She was the fourth-highest-paid child star on television during True Jackson, VP.
- She was the first African-American actress to play Cinderella on Broadway.
- She won two Primetime Emmy Awards by her late 20s.
- She will host The Voice starting with season 31 in 2027.
- She has amblyopia and has spoken about living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anxiety, and depression.
Did You Know Already?
- She prefers to go by her given name, Lauren, rather than Keke.
- Her nickname “Keke” came from her sister’s imaginary friend.
- She dressed as Janet Jackson for Halloween 2026.
- She hosts her own podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
Social Media Links
- Official website: kekepalmer.com
- KeyTV Network: kekepalmer.com
- IMDb: Keke Palmer
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Keke Palmer?
She is an American actress, singer, and television host best known for Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson, VP, Nope, and hosting Password on NBC.
How old is Keke Palmer in 2026?
She was born on August 26, 1993, so she is 33 years 2 months old in 2026.
Is Keke Palmer married?
No. She was previously in a relationship with Darius Jackson (2021–2023), with whom she has one son.
Does Keke Palmer have children?
Yes. She has one son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, born in February 2023.
What is Keke Palmer’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at around $8 million in 2026.
What show will Keke Palmer host in 2027?
She will host season 31 of The Voice on NBC, replacing Carson Daly.
What was Keke Palmer’s Halloween 2026 costume?
She dressed as Janet Jackson.
Conclusion
Keke Palmer has grown from a child star in Harvey, Illinois, into one of Hollywood’s most versatile entertainers — an Emmy-winning actress, a singer, a talk show host, and soon the new face of The Voice. In 2026 she continues to break new ground while staying true to herself. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow Keke Palmer and entertainment fans!
