Keke Palmer Shows a Mature Quality in Her Response to Zendaya Comparisons – Opinion

I have been a fan of Keke Palmer since 2006’s Akeelah & the Bee. At the time she was thirteen years old, her effervescent glow and one-to-watch qualities were already evident. She also had a number of important credits from television and film. Her talent and background helped her get bigger roles. At 28, she is an actor and singer as well as writer, producer and host of talk shows.

Most former child stars have either worn out their welcome or imploded, so, it’s exciting to see Palmer still choosing quality roles, creating buzz, and forging new paths for herself. Palmer shows her class and quality. This isn’t surprising considering the role models Angela Bassett, Queen Latifah and her mentors. These are class acts and are not to be compared.

Palmer is featured in Jordan Peele’s latest film. NopeShe has also been appearing on late-night talk shows to promote films and interview. This is the latest Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon Interview, Palmer exuded star power and took the show away from the host.

WATCH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRUIb6PL0Uk

Palmer can channel Angela Bassett’s incredible voice and also imitate powerful voices such as Cher or Shakira. That’s not only someone with massive talent, but who knows when to cut loose, and when to take herself seriously.

Palmer recently shared a viral tweet in which she showed just how serious she takes herself. Melinda E from Twitter decided to speak about Hollywood colorism. She also compared Palmer and Zendaya’s careers.EuphoriaTo emphasize her point, she used the following:

It would be great if someone could do an in-depth analysis of the similarities and differences between Zendaya and Keke Palmer’s career paths. This could be the best example of Hollywood colorism. Both were child stars, but they have a very different mainstream appeal. https://t.co/Cmy1CXGQeI pic.twitter.com/etO27HVN0Y

— Melinda E (@NBAgladiator) July 23, 2022

I’d like someone to do a deep-drive on the similarities and differences between Keke Palmer and Zendaya’s careers. This could be the best example of Hollywood colorism. Both were child stars, but they have a very different mainstream appeal.

If you want to know the truth about colorism, then look no further than Zoe Saldana’s casting (Guardians of the Galaxy() to portray Nina Simone (singer and activist). This is usually when Hollywood shows its racist and classist roots: taking a revered icon of a certain culture or race, and reducing them to a cookie-cutter cliché. As if there isn’t some starlet in Hollywood who not only has the star power that Saldana radiates, but who can actually sing and more closely matches Simone’s physicality, which was an essential part of her presence and persona.

Epic Fail

Melinda E stated that Zendaya’s mainstream popularity is quite different from Palmer’s, but she sees this as a positive. This is the crux of it all. TheyAre Very differentThis is true, but you have to look at much more than your skin color in order to recognize it. Both Zendaya and Palmer have demonstrated their differing views on the roles and careers they chose and how they built their work. Both artists are extraordinarily talented but also incredibly beautiful. Palmer and Zendaya share a common early experience in showbusiness, but that’s it. Palmer, however, drew the distinction between distinction and difference.

One great example of colorism involves believing I can compare to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. This, baby, is Keke Palmer.

— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 24, 2022

One great example of colorism involves believing I can compare to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on Broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. This, baby, is Keke Palmer.

Because Hollywood is known for insecurity and pitting talent against each other, this is admirable. Palmer has none of this.

I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old. I have over 100+ credits, and currently starring in an original screenplay that’s the number one film at the box office #NOPE. I’ve had a blessed career thus far, I couldn’t ask for more but God continues to surprise me.🥹🥳❤️🙏🏾

— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 24, 2022

I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old. I have over 100+ credits, and currently starring in an original screenplay that’s the number one film at the box office #NOPE. I’ve had a blessed career thus far, I couldn’t ask for more but God continues to surprise me.

Another admirable quality: Palmer acknowledges God’s hand in her success, and recognizes that she is blessed to have such a career at any age. There is no weight on her shoulders and she doesn’t have any chips. Some commented on Palmer’s tweet to question the disparity in net worth and wonder why Palmer is so upset at being compared. Like comparing yourself to someone else is a way of validating a rewarding and productive career.

Palmer is correct and has made it clear. Palmer’s uniqueness and her determination to be her best selves, to promote that self and to challenge herself in new ways, is a sign of someone who not only chooses to learn but is also willing to take chances.

Palmer’s younger Millennial generation, and Zendaya’s Gen Z generation could take some serious lessons and cues from Palmer’s attitude, insight, and career. Both these generations have many people who lack vision and fear abandoning comfort for real purpose.