5 questions for … KeKe Palmer

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KeKe Palmer's show-stopping abilities began at age 5 when she belted out "Jesus Loves Me" in front of her family's church congregation. Born Lauren Keyana Palmer 14 years ago in Robbins (outside Chicago), Palmer stole the hearts of movie audiences as the sweet-faced star of Akeelah and the Bee. The teenager is still creating buzz with an upcoming new movie and a tour to promote the release of her first CD, So Uncool (Atlantic). During an interview with EBONY. Palmer lights up a room with her youthful energy--interspersed with peals of girlish laughter.

EBONY: How do you feel about So Uncool?

K.P.: Young girls can listen to it. Adults can listen to it. I wrote four songs on it with my sister and a man named Toby Gad. Some of my earlier influences were Brandy, Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Mariah and TLC. So the CD has that kind of favor to it as well.

EBONY: Do people recognize you on the street now?

K.P.: Yes. I was in New York and someone saw me and said, "Oh, my God. That is KeKee Palmer." They were like, Hey, Keke!" They used to say, "There's that girl from Akeelah. Now they really say, "That's KeKe Palmer!

EBONY: What does it feel like to be a positive role model for young girls?

K.P.: It makes me really proud. In fact, one of the songs on my album that I wrote called "Skin Deep" is about that---being beautiful on the inside and being happy with who you are without letting anyone bring you down or make you think you should be one way in order to be beautiful.

EBONY: What is the title of the new movie you're appearing in, and what role do you play?

K.P.: I finished a movie that was at the Toronto Film Festival. It's called Cleaner, with Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes. The movie is about Jackson, an ex-cop whose wife was murdered. His job now is to be a cleaner and clean up after dead bodies at the crime scene. My character plays his daughter.

EBONY: You were brought up by Christian parents and aren't allowed to date until you are 16. What type of guy do you see yourself dating when the time comes?

K.P.: I'd like him to be customized--to have his own style. Like Pharrell or Kanye West. They are their own person and have their own thing going on, and they are content with their own lives.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning