Keke Palmer is firm about one relationship rule: she does not want to cohabitate with a romantic partner, even if they’re married. 

During an appearance on “Today,” the actress said, “I could be open, but one thing I need you to know is I never want to live together. I like my alone time,” then added playfully, “That's real. I'm speaking as The Keke.”

Palmer explained that early conversations about life goals and boundaries are helpful and she invoked Whoopi Goldberg’s now-famous meme–worthy New York Times quote, “She was like, 'I don't want nobody in my house.' And I feel that.” When host Sheinelle Jones asked if living “around the corner” would work, Palmer agreed, “You can be in the guest house, we can be on the same land, but I'm over there, and he's over there.” 

She even joked about keeping romance alive via occasional visits. “But think about how fun it would be to be like, 'I'm going over to my man's house.' Over there, hi husband!” The comments came while she was promoting her Peacock series “The 'Burbs,” and Palmer emphasized the value she places on alone time even while raising her 2-year-old son, Leodis. 

Palmer’s stance taps into a cultural shift, many people — especially creatives and parents balancing careers — are rethinking traditional cohabitation models, experimenting with distinct living arrangements that preserve independence while maintaining partnership. For Keke, that independence is part of what keeps relationships fun. She (and Goldberg) may be on to something.