BET Awards 2025: The Most Keke Palmer Things Keke Palmer Has Ever Done
Keke Palmer has been that girl for two decades now, and somehow, she’s still underrated. An actress, singer, producer, and walking internet moment, Palmer is a cultural chameleon who never misses. With her recent BET Awards 2025 nomination for Best Actress, it’s only right we run down the most Keke Palmer things she’s ever done—because honestly, no one does it like her.
1. She Booked Her First Lead Role at Age 11—and Never Looked Back
Before she was hosting awards shows or going viral on TikTok, Keke was playing Akeelah Anderson in Akeelah and the Bee. That performance? Still a masterclass. She carried a whole movie as a kid, opposite heavyweights like Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. That’s when we all knew: she wasn’t here for the moment—she was here for the legacy.
2. She’ll Sing, Act, and Host—All in the Same Day
Name a triple threat that’s more versatile. You can’t. Keke has released R&B albums, performed live at award shows, hosted morning TV (GMA3), and acted in everything from indie films to blockbuster thrillers. She’s the definition of booked and busy, and she makes it look easy.
3. She Gave Horror a Face with Nope
In Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi horror Nope, Keke stole every scene as the motor-mouthed, hilarious, deeply layered Emerald Haywood. The film proved what many already knew: she’s not just charismatic—she’s got range. Her performance brought depth to a genre that doesn’t always honor Black women with complexity. It also brought her into awards conversations and solidified her as one of Hollywood’s most reliable scene-stealers.
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4. She Created a Meme Hall of Fame Moment with “Sorry to This Man”
We can’t talk about Keke Palmer without mentioning that moment. During a Vanity Fair lie detector test, Keke was shown a photo of former Vice President Dick Cheney and famously said, “I hate to say it. I hope I don’t sound ridiculous. I don’t know who this man is. I mean, he could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man.” The internet exploded, and a meme queen was born.
5. She Became a Mom—and a Glow-Up Icon
In 2023, Keke gave birth to her first child and somehow became even more powerful. From postpartum transparency to fashion-forward appearances and viral dance routines with her baby in tow, Palmer has redefined what motherhood can look like for young Black women in the public eye. She’s not shrinking into a role—she’s expanding into a new one.
6. She Launched Her Own Digital Network
In true mogul fashion, Palmer launched KeyTV, a digital content platform dedicated to highlighting diverse creatives behind the scenes. Through KeyTV, she’s not just making content—she’s giving opportunities, mentoring talent, and continuing the cycle of Black excellence in entertainment.
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7. She Stays Clapping Back—Gracefully
Whether it’s dealing with body shaming, industry politics, or just correcting misinformation, Keke always responds with humor, wit, and an enviable level of grace.
8. She’s the Culture, Period
Keke Palmer is a walking soundbite, a red carpet risk-taker, a comedy queen, and an actress with dramatic chops. She’s been True Jackson, VP. She’s played Chilli from TLC. She’s sung Whitney Houston and lived to tell about it. And she’s never once stopped showing up as herself.
From Nickelodeon to Nope, from viral moments to motherhood, Keke Palmer continues to be a generational talent who moves with both purpose and playfulness. Her Best Actress nomination at the 2025 BET Awards is a testament to the fact that when Keke’s in something—you watch. Because you know she’s gonna deliver.
Don’t miss Keke Palmer—and all your faves—at the BET Awards 2025, airing live Monday, June 9 at 8PM ET/PT on BET.
