Born Lauren Keyana Palmer, you might remember Keke for her performance in the award-winning and critically acclaimed film Akeelah and the Bee, but Keke was far from getting wet behind her ears when she starred in her role as Akeelah Anderson.
As a little girl growing up in Robbins, Illinois, Keke showed her parents Laurence and Sharon Palmer that her acting skills had a lot of power when she sang “Jesus Loves Me” in her church choir.
In her home recording studio, Keke’s mother, Sharon, helped Keke harness her vocal skills, and both parents dedicated themselves to taking her to auditions and helping her hone her acting skills. In 2004, Keke landed her first major role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business playing the role of Queen Latifah’s niece. At this point, it was more than evident that Keke had star potential, so the family left their newly purchased home and secure jobs behind to head to California.
Keke’s successful résumé includes a role on the CBS series Cold Case, a national K-Mart commercial, and even a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his role in Wool Cap. She is currently the youngest actress to receive a nomination in a leading actress category. She also won the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Akeelah and the Bee. He also co-starred in Jump In, the highly rated Disney Channel original movie.
Although her acting career has flourished, Keke considers music her first love and has signed with Atlantic Records. His most recent album, “So Uncool,” includes an ode to his Chicago roots. Palmer’s decision to leave the Chicago area in pursuit of Keke’s dreams turned out to be a good one, but it was definitely challenging times. In her interview with Children In Film, Laurence Palmer talks about the challenges of being a powerful parent.
INTERVIEW WITH LAURENCE PALMER
In education
CIF: How did you school your children?
LP: We came to California in November 2003 and homeschooled our children under Illinois guidelines for a semester until we found out about the California Options For Youth program, which Keke still attends and our oldest daughter, Loreal, graduated Last spring.
CIF: What are the challenges of dealing with a school-age child who is also working?
LP: Keke is a very sociable boy. Our main challenge with her is finding time to socialize with other children. We make sure he attends some birthday parties, skate parties, and movie outings with his friends. My wife Sharon or our 18 year old daughter Loreal or I accompany her depending on the departure and participation of the other parent.
On the first steps in Show Biz
CIF: What actors inspired you or your daughter (in her work) to get into this field?
LP: Keke was inspired by Brandy, Rave, Tia and Timara Mowery and Kyla Pratt. My wife and I were professional theater actors in Chicago and I think that helps us understand his desire to do this and how he goes about this business.
CIF: How many auditions did you do before the first job?
LP: Keke’s first audition was for the Lion King in Chicago. She made the cut on Saturday and on Sunday, of 400 children, she made it to the bottom 15 before being eliminated. For a kid who never had an acting lesson and only did a couple of plays at school, we thought it was great. After that we got him an agent. Before signing with the agent, he auditioned for American Juniors, where he won a trip to California and reached the top 33. His first audition with the agency was for Barbershop 2 and he landed the part!
On working in entertainment
CIF: Does your child want to be in entertainment for their entire life or do they want to do something else as an adult?
LP: Keke has a desire to eventually produce and direct after finishing college, but now he wants to do this, and as long as he keeps his grades high, he can. You can also say at any time that you are done with the performance and that you do not want to do it anymore and we will take you out of business.
On raising a child actor
CIF: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made as a parent in entertainment?
LP: Nothing comes to mind. Keke has only been in business for four years and we are still learning the business. Usually we try to adapt and adjust to the situations that come our way in life. In a few years, I’m sure that question will be easy to answer.
CIF: Have you ever been afraid that your child might align himself with the negative image of child stars?
LP: I would have to say yes. We continue to go to church, we pray together, and we continue to be parents. She has to follow our rules and she must respect her older sister and be an example to her younger brother and sister.
CIF: What advice would you give other parents just starting out?
LP: I would advise you to always remain parents. Children cannot play on sports teams with poor grades or bad attitudes and should not be allowed to perform if they display those same qualities. As a child you have no right to act, it is a privilege. As parents, we must constantly let our children know what is right and what is wrong. We must teach them to respect themselves and others.
About children in the movies
CIF: What is your current relationship with Children in Film? Are / were they a good resource for you?
LP: When Keke was auditioning for American Juniors, we were introduced to Children In Film because we had to get a work permit. Twenty of the top 33 kids were going to be on TV, so all 33 kids had to have permits because the top 20 would be served by mail and they would have to start working with that notice. My wife and I continue to use Children In Film services to obtain our work permits, as well as to obtain a resource for some child labor laws and guidelines and any questions we have that we think may help us.