The classic 1990s film Friday begins with the revelation that Craig has lost his job. And what’s even more nuanced is that he was fired on what was supposed to be a day off. While the movie positions this as a joke and rationale for unexpected free time, the theme of unemployment is not uncommon to many. However, there is one person who has seemingly never been in that situation: Lauren “Keke” Palmer.
Born right outside Chicago in Robbins, IL, Palmer is an American actress and singer who gained popularity with her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee. She grew up before the eyes of millions, taking on several other starring roles in television shows and movies such as True Jackson VP, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, and Jordan Peele’s Nope. Her work has resulted in widespread recognition and awards, including a 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Short-form Comedy or Drama Series.
Palmer is still making waves in the industry as an actress and singer, and she is fully embracing motherhood after giving birth in 2023. From her witty remarks and uncanny relatability, many are hard-pressed not to know a Keke Palmer quote or see a meme realized from her iconic moments, which is why there are so many questions about her alleged $7.5 million net worth.
What Has Keke Palmer Said About Her Alleged $7.5 Million Net Worth?
Palmer’s range of work led her to earn an estimated net worth of $7.5 million, which she’s said still misses the mark. During a 360 With Speedy interview, Palmer and Speedy Morman chatted about her accomplishments, life experiences and money moves. Specifically, the recording artist spoke candidly about inaccuracies she’s seen online.
“Y’all can’t believe in net worths. First of all, they said my net worth was $7.5 million when I only had $100,000 in the bank. That’s lies,” she explained. “It’s inaccurate. There’s been times where it was less. Now, it’s more.” Though Palmer wasn’t comfortable giving out exact details of her worth she did make it clear she’s blessed. “The cup runneth… God is good,” the pop culture icon declared.
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Palmer’s Rise to Fame Through the 2000s
After growing up in a house with two parents who were professional actors, it was only natural for Palmer to step into the spotlight. When she was nine, the Chi City native auditioned for a production of The Lion King. Two years later, she landed her first film role in 2004’s Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Before long, Atlantic Records took notice of the young powerhouse and offered her a record deal. Though her Keke and Jamal series on Disney Channel never made it past a pilot, the diva still shone as the lead in 2006’s Akeelah and the Bee.
At this point Palmer was barely a teenager, but she already had one of the biggest children’s networks and Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion, House of Payne and Just Jordan) on her resume. In 2008, she added Nickelodeon to the list, nabbing a starring role in True Jackson VP. According to The Richest she made $20K per episode of the series, meaning she was the fourth-highest-paid child star on television at the time.
Making Her Teenage Dreams Come True
Though acting has always been her bread and butter, the mother of one’s love for singing can’t be forgotten. Loyal fans of Palmer know about the music she’s dropped over the years, from 2012’s Keke Palmer to 2023’s Big Boss visual album. Unfortunately, most of the fashionista’s work in this realm is overlooked, but that’s never stopped her from sharing the song in her heart.
Moving into the 2010s, Palmer’s net worth continued to grow as she took on roles like Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas in the TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool and Coral in season two of Showtime’s Masters of Sex. Breaking records was nothing new to the creative at this point (she had recently become the first Black woman to play Cinderella on Broadway), so no one was shocked to see her secure a daytime talk show on BET in 2014. Just Keke made Palmer one of the youngest talk show hosts in television history, and while that only lasted for one season, the long-time performer has found other ways to express herself creatively since.
As the decade waged on, we watched Palmer grow into a woman as she signed a deal with Island Records and collected more acting credits. Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens, Grease: Live and Hustlers are among her most prominent roles from the time, though she also spent much of 2019 co-hosting on ABC’s Strahan and Sara. In terms of music, the Jump In! star shared projects like Waiting to Exhale and Lauren, also finding time to pen her 2017 memoir, I Don’t Belong to You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice.
Palmer’s Life in 2024 Is Much Different Than Her Humble Beginnings
Since she’s a Virgo Sun, it’s always been in Keke Palmer’s nature to work hard. The “Ungorgeous” singer continues to do so as she begins her 30s, but now, she’s got a baby boy to raise while big bossing her way through the entertainment industry. Leodis Andrellton was born in February 2023 to the black-haired beauty and Darius Jackson. She and Leo’s dad are no longer together romantically, but they continue to raise their son as amicably as possible. This can’t be easy, as Palmer is still booked and busy, but the fact that the Nickelodeon alum is so candid about the ups and downs she faces makes fans respect her even more.
Besides motherhood, some of her recent job roles have included being a Usher video vixen, taking on the lead in Jordan Peele’s Nope, voice acting in Pixar’s Lightyear animated film and she’s set to appear alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in the upcoming Super Toys. Palmer may disagree with the figures representing her financial situation online, but with all the work she’s put in over the years, she’s worth millions to her fans, no matter what her bank account says.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Money Does Keke Palmer Make?
Seeing as the True Jackson VP lead is allegedly worth $7.5M, some are curious about her yearly income. According to Parade, Palmer’s revenue is approximately $1M annually, though that varies depending how many film and television projects she books, not to mention live performances, hosting gigs and sponsored brand collaborations.
Does Keke Palmer Own a Home?
Now that she’s a mother, keeping her family safe is one of the podcaster’s main priorities. Traded reports that Palmer is the owner of a Studio City SFR that cost her $1.4M; it’s a large price to pay for 2,600 square feet, but worth every penny to the Emmy Award winner if she and Leodis feel safe.
How Did Keke Palmer Get Rich?
As we explored, Palmer’s rumoured multi-million dollar fortune began amassing as early as 2004 thanks to her breakout role in Barbershop 2. The movie and television roles she’s taken on since then have helped support her dreams as well as her family, plus the Illinois-born performer has revenue from releasing albums and performing live to account for too. Rather than letting higher ups in the industry take advantage of her and pay less than her worth, Palmer learned early on the importance of sticking up for what feels right – especially when it comes to money.
