Keke Palmer Biography
Summary
"Lauren Keyana 'Keke' Palmer" (Born August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois) is an American SAG Award-nominated NAACP Image Award-winning actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for playing the title role in the 2006 film "Akeelah and the Bee" and as Mary in "Jump In!".
Biography
Early life
Keke Palmer was born as Lauren Keyana Palmer in Harvey, Illinois, her father works for a polyurethane company and her mother, Sharon, is a high school teacher who works with children with autism. Keke has three siblings, including an older sister, L'Oreal, who gave her the nickname 'Keke' during her early years. She began singing in her church's choir at the age of five, and she auditioned for a stage production of "The Lion King" at the age of nine. Her family moved to Los Angeles in 2004 so Palmer could pursue a screen career.
Career
Palmer made her acting debut in the movie Barbershop as 'Gina's niece', and her first major role was in the 2006 film "Akeelah And The Bee". Between 2004 and 2006, she appeared in episodes of several television series, including "Cold Case", "Strong Medicine", "ER", and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", 'Just Jordan' and was subsequently cast in two films released in 2006: playing a supporting part in "Madea's Family Reunion", and starring as the lead character, Akeelah Anderson, a young girl from South Los Angeles who attempts to win a spelling bee, in "Akeelah and the Bee". "Akeelah and the Bee" was released on April 28, 2006, and Palmer's performance has received several positive notices, including praise from film critic Roger Ebert.
Palmer is also pursuing a career in singing. She participated in the 2003 "American Juniors", an "American Idol" spin-off, although she was not particularly successful. Palmer has signed a record deal with Atlantic Records, and is currently working on her debut music album. Her debut single, 'All My Girlz', is featured on the "Akeelah and the Bee" soundtrack. On November 18, 2006, she performed at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California for VH1's 'Save the Music' Battle of the High School Marching Bands, marking her first ever stadium performance in front of thousands of people. In addition, as part of her contract with Disney, Palmer sang the songs 'It's My Turn Now', and 'Jumpin" featured in the DCOM "Jump In!" which she also stars in as Mary.
She recently starred in the video for Ludacris' and Mary J. Blige's' 'Runaway Love' as Erica. In 2007, she was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a movie (for "Akeelah and the Bee"), and is one of the youngest actresses to be nominated. Keke attended the 2007 Stellar Awards which were shown on BET. In 2006, Palmer recorded a song called 'Tonight' for the 2006/2007 production, "Night at the Museum". Palmer's song is featured as the opening song on the end credits.
She also guest-starred as the bully in the premiere episode of "Tyler Perry's House of Payne".
Her debut album "So Uncool" was released on September 18 via Atlantic Records as well.
Palmer is scheduled to play rapper Roxanne Shanté in The Vapors, a film about the formation and rise of 'The Juice Crew'.
Awards/nominations
"Black Movie Awards"
*"2006, Best Actress: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Winner)"
"Black Reel Awards"
*"2007, Best Actress: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Winner)"
*2007, Best Breakthrough Performance: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Nominated)
"Critics Choice Film Critics"
*2007, Best Young Actress: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Nominated)
Chicago Film Critics
*2007, Most Promising Newcomer: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Nominated)
"NAACP Image Awards"
*"2007, Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: "Akeelah and the Bee" (Winner)"
*2005, Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series/ TV Movie: "The Wool Cap" (Nominated)
"Screen Actors Guild"
*2005, Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series/TV Movie: "The Wool Cap" (Nominated)
Discography
Albums
Keke's self titled EP was released through iTunes July 17, 2007
Palmer's debut album came on shelves September 18, 2007. Palmer released her debut album titled "So Uncool" with Atlantic Records.
Other songs
2007 'Home For The Holidays' - from "A Disney Channel Holiday"
2007 'True To Your Heart' - from "DisneyMania 5"
2006 'Tonight' - from "Night at the Museum" featuring Cham
Albums
"So Uncool"
Released: September 18, 2007 (U.S.)
Label: Atlantic Records
Chart Position: #86 (R&B) (U.S.)
U.S. sales: 8,000
RIAA certification: TBA
Singles:
*2007: 'Keep It Movin''
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Keke Palmer.
