Keke Palmer Reminds Us Everything She Touches Is A Black Beauty Celebration

Keke Palmer was a whole vibe in her recent hosting duties for Saturday Night Live. In addition to confirming pregnancy rumors with a glowing baby bump (!), the award-winning actress, singer and producer served up a smorgasbord of reasons we stan for all of her Black girl magic.

[SEE ALSO: Keke Palmer Talks Haircare With Mielle Organics Founder Monique Rodriquez]

Palmer’s hilarious skits played into her signature Southern Belle-shade and sultry vibrato as well as showcased her willingness to nail her lines with over-the-top, self-deprecating humor. She was truly in her element. 

Her appearance also reminded me of previous interviews I’ve had with her about celebrating Black beauty, whether through falling in love with her hair or her push to open doors for others to find comfort in their own skin.

While our conversations focused on hair and beauty, her message was always broader: representation matters. “We want all the young Black boys and girls to know that they are capable of having a love story and happiness that anyone else is capable of having,” she shared during an appearance at a beauty show in 2019.

That comes from not just refuting stereotypes, but learning to celebrate the beauty from within. “It’s about you,” she later said during a phone interview. “Do you feel good? Do you feel comfortable? Do you feel happy? Those are the kinds of conversations that you have with yourself.”

Even before rocking her natural tresses in her starring role in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed “NOPE,” we chatted about stereotypes that often kept certain textures from being celebrated on screen. 

“I think the narrative and the pressure put on Black women’s hair is just outrageous,” she explained. “In the history of Black hair, we’re constantly being told that, as it is, it’s not okay. So we’ve spent years and generations and generations changing what we have naturally.”

Finding joy in our hair and overall beauty are tied to relearning our roots through practice and patience, which Palmer now embraces with “sheer excitement.”

Her appearance also reminded us why she’s earned the moniker “Keke ‘Keep A Job’ Palmer.” Since we last spoke, she’s had several hosting gigs on Good Morning America, Video Music Awards, and Disney’s “Foodtastic” competition, as well as voiced-over several shows, including “The Proud Family” reboot, “Human Resources,” and “Not So Pretty,” a documentary on the ugly side of the beauty industry’s standard and regulations. Just this year, she’s also starred in “NOPE,” “Alice,” and “Lightyear.”

And in October, she launched KeyTV, her own digital television network aimed at spotlighting a new generation of voices. Research shows that Black-led ventures historically create more space for Black creatives and other people of color. Palmer’s first three shows do just that, offering up a diverse mix of narratives featuring Black and LGBTQ creators and influencers.

As far as what’s next, she’s always held the door open to new opportunities. “You never know career-wise,” she said. “It just depends on where I’m blown or what I feel passionate about next.”

So, while Palmer is manifesting an Academy Award nomination, working on at least three new film projects, and getting ready for motherhood, we’ll be tuning into her network’s new shows, like “Heaux and Tell” and “The Edible Always Wins.” We’ll also be exploring new ways to celebrate beauty and identity along her epic ride.