Keke Palmer and Zendaya. Image Source: Marca
Keke Palmer does not want to be compared to Zendaya.
Keke Palmer does not seem to be impressed with a recent social media conversation where she is being compared with Zendaya, and she has some thoughts to share.
A tweet that drew attention for claiming that a perceived difference in the mainstream popularity between Keke Palmer, who was recently seen in Jordan Peele’s "Nope," and Zendaya is one of the clearest examples of how colorism plays out in the industry. The Twitter thread pointed out how both Keke Palmer and Zendaya are former child stars, but Keke Palmer’s role in Nope is being considered her breakout role.
Keke Palmer took to her Twitter and wrote that to think that she might be compared to anyone, she argued, is a fantastic illustration of colorism. The youngest talk show host in history, the first black woman to star in her own Nickelodeon show, and the youngest and first black Cinderella on Broadway, she continued, are just a few of her accomplishments. She has a unique skill, according to Keke. The actress said that she is Keke Palmer, baby.
Keke continued in a next tweet that she has over 100 credits and has been a leading lady since she was 11 years old. Currently, she is the star of the most grossing original script, #NOPE. The actress claimed that although she has been blessed with a successful career thus far and couldn't want for more, God never ceases to amaze her.
Many of their followers questioned the Twitter person who had originally posted the message about why the two of them were being compared, and the user responded that they are both highly brilliant Virgo Queens who have won Emmys in separate categories. Further explaining, the person claimed that even though Keke Palmer has accomplished a lot in her career, many people still consider her breakthrough performance in #NopeMovie. Euphoria is regarded as Zendaya's breakthrough performance, but that makes sense.
The Twitter user added that she is in no way slighting either woman and added that she is a fan of both of them but added that it’s just weird that people are acting like this is a breakout role for Keke, who is very successful. And Zendaya has talked about colorism before, too. That was the only reason why she mentioned them.
Talking about Keke Palmer's character in Nope, the actress said that what she loves about Jordan Peele is that he normalizes black people in leading roles, and being in the leading role is no commentary on being black.
Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya portray the brother-and-sister Hollywood horse trainers Emerald and OJ Haywood in the movie Nope. On their remote property, they come upon alien activity. According to the actor, it's about normalizing and elevating people of color while conveying their stories and experiences naturally and including their culture without victimizing or demeaning them because of their ethnicity. Black people are resilient people, therefore actors, directors like Jordan Peele, and everyone else in the industry must continue to push the boundaries of black portrayal.
While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Keke said it was just awesome, and she also loves her character, Emerald. The actress mentioned that her character in the movie has so many different aspects to her as she starts with this jester personality and slowly plays into the orphan archetype which made it very interesting to play for Keke. The actress added that the way that Emerald was written is just so skillfully, and she was just excited to play and do her justice.
Talking about the other iconic actress, Zendaya, who is known for starring in HBO Max’s Euphoria as Rue Bennett who is an addict and her performance on the show has been appreciated across the world and the actress also plays Mary Jane in Spider-Man opposite Tom Holland, has not yet responded to the debate or the comments comparing her journey with Keke Palmer but the actress has been pretty much vocal about colorism in the entertainment industry in the past.
Zendaya said that she must utilize her platform and advantage as a black woman with a light complexion to demonstrate to the viewers the beauty that exists throughout the African American community, as seen in the video below. She continued by claiming that she represents the ideal black female in Hollywood, adding that this has to change. She continued by saying that we are far too fascinating and lovely for her to serve as the sole example of that. In her statement, Zendaya clarified that sometimes it's about generating those opportunities. Those routes must be made.
