Keke Palmer Talks Navigating Sexuality With Her Parents Growing Up

Keke Palmer is reflecting on her pathway to coming out as a free spirit.

The multi-talented actress has never shied away from discussing important topics and has always been vocal about growing up in the spotlight and her fluid sexual nature. Recently, the star, who has a very close relationship with her parents, shared some candid insight into her experiences navigating her sexuality with them while growing up.

Keke Palmer Opens Up About Figuring Out Sexuality With Parents

The 29-year-old shared how she approached the topic with her family by shedding light on the openness and honesty she embraced throughout the process.

During an appearance on “The Best Podcast Ever with Raven and Miranda,” the singer discussed her journey of self-discovery and coming out as a free spirit. Explaining to Raven — who had her own coming out experience in 2013 — the “Nope” actress stated:

“There was a moment in my life where I was like ya know, can I be myself? The moment where you overthink sh*t. That’s not even me, why am I overthinking this? I guess you just get to the point where I want my life to be my own life.”

Palmer mentioned that while her parents never expressed any disapproval about being gay in their household while she was growing up, there was an unspoken aspect surrounding the topic. In her words:

“There is like an unsaid thing that can make you feel –, and because I liked guys too, I was kinda like, ‘Well, we don’t have to talk about it.’ Because I like guys too, it was like that’s another extra thing that no one really has to know about. I don’t really have to live out.” 

By the time she turned 17, the mother-of-one felt the urge to test the waters and “explore her life.” After years of repressing her feelings, she made the decision to embrace her life fully.

The five-time NAACP Image Awards winner shared that her desire for love and being open to it played a crucial role in her journey. She emphasized that she did not want anything to hold her back and that accepting her true self was an essential part of her process of allowing love to enter her life.

Palmer noted that her parents never even discussed sexuality or related matters because it was not a topic of concern to them. She continued, “And I know that by the time they saw how free of a spirit I was, and whoever I wanted to date, they were like, ‘Whoever cares.’ It was never anything that was in their mind.” 

The ‘Barbershop 2: Back In Business’ Star Embraces Motherhood After Online Controversy

Lately, the television personality has been dating Darius Jackson, and the couple welcomed their son, Leodis, in February after meeting in 2021. However, their relationship faced scrutiny when her baby’s father publicly shamed her for wearing a sheer outfit at an Usher concert. 

After the media uproar that followed, the “So Uncool” singer opened up about her experiences as a first-time mom, expressing how motherhood has made her feel even more empowered and her ongoing efforts to love her body just as it is. 

Ignoring all the internet noise, the “Jump In!” actress had a candid conversation with “The Cut” for their July cover issue about her current state. “After having my baby, I’ve just gotten so much more powerful. I’m just so strengthened in a crazy way. Strutting my stuff, enjoying,” the television host shared. 

The “Akeelah and the Bee” star admitted that before becoming a mom, she had struggled with self-consciousness, especially as a “public figure.” She explained, “Always trying to be on point with my body and always trying to make sure I’m taking care of this and that. There’s a lot of physical attention.” 

The desire to regain her pre-baby physique led Palmer to put pressure on herself. However, her perspective shifted when celebrity trainer Corey Calliet intervened. 

He emphasized that there was no need to strive for her body to be exactly as it was before having a baby. For him, the key was to “lean into this new body” and embrace the changes that came with becoming a mother.