How a Voicemail from Will Smith Helped Keke Palmer's Hollywood Career
Keke Palmer recently reflected on a pivotal moment in her life involving Will Smith. While contemplating emancipation from her parents at 17, she received a significant voicemail from the famed actor. This interaction became crucial for her journey as a young Hollywood star.
Keke has expressed deep appreciation for Will Smith. The former Nickelodeon star explained her thoughts of emancipation during her early career. At the age of 17, she contemplated this decision while working on True Jackson, VP, which aired from 2008 to 2011. One unexpected call from Will changed her perspective profoundly.
"I received a call from a really obscure number," she recalled in the November 19 episode of The Toast podcast. Initially hesitant, she opted not to answer. Later, Palmer discovered a voicemail left by Will Smith. He offered her encouragement after learning of her struggles through her lawyer.
Keke impersonated Will's voice while recounting the message. "Hey, Keke. It's Will," he said. "We're doing Karate Kid with Jaden. I talked to your lawyer. I want you to know it can be tough being the first, but you'll get through this. Focus, love your family, and you all will be alright."
At that time, Keke felt a unique sense of isolation due to her child star status. "I had issues with my parents not fully understanding my experiences," she detailed. "It wasn’t an entirely smooth path."
She reflected on her feelings of disconnection: "This was tough. I felt like I had to distance myself from my family." However, she credited the support from her community, comprised of notable figures and her attorney, which her parents encouraged, emphasizing unity rather than division.
Despite the challenges, Keke acknowledged her parents' efforts to shield her within the industry. "I believe my parents worked hard to explain what I was experiencing," she said. "It’s vital to discuss how entertainment affects self-worth. My mom particularly helped me navigate these feelings."
