

Actress and singer Keke Palmer has been gracing our television and movie screens with countless projects since the tender age of nine.
Many of Palmer's notable works aside from music and hosting include Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Akeelah and the Bee, Madea's Family Reunion, True Jackson, VP, Scream Queens, Hustlers, Nope, and a reboot of The Proud Family series titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. In addition to the professional success the 29-year-old has obtained in the entertainment industry, Palmer recently become a mother. The star welcomed a son, Leodis Jackson, with longtime partner Darius Jackson in February of this year.
Since Leodis' birth, Palmer has been vocal about her experience as a first-time mom and the various hardships that come along with it, including trying to balance a career. Alongside working on films and shows, Palmer created a digital television network KeyTV.
On March 28, during an interview with Elle Magazine, Palmer talked about how motherhood could affect her overall craft as an entertainer.
Keke Palmer On If She Would Include Her Son On Future Projects
In the discussion, Palmer recounted the different trajectories she has taken in her career and shared that the most personal route has been becoming a social media influencer because fans get a deeper look into her life.
"There are different ways in which I exist," she said. "I exist as a traditional entertainer, where it's movies. I exist as a host, which involves more of a personal flair to it and invites a little bit more of my personal life into it. When there's also the influencer aspect where you get a little more of a glimpse at my life."
Expanding on that topic, the "I Don't Belong to You" vocalist then disclosed that she is unsure if she would include her son Leodis in any of her content. Although Palmer didn't provide a particular reason surrounding her uncertainty, the new mom stated,
"I don't know how my baby will fit into that or if that's something that I'll even want. I don't know if motherhood will be part of that narrative or not."
Toward the end of her statement, Palmer revealed that because she may be unsure about involving the newborn in future projects now doesn't necessarily mean that she's ruled out any possibilities of what fate brings her.
"Only time will tell, but I'm definitely interested to see. I'm also the type of person that wants to share whatever changes and impacts me. I might be like, 'I have something to say, so here's a book.' I don't know. Or motherhood might be off limits, Beyoncé style. I don't think I'll know until I know," she explained while briefly mentioning Beyoncé's parenting style.
Palmer On Being a Mother and Praising Single Parents
This isn't the first time Palmer has talked about Leodis and the impact he has had on her life.
Earlier this month, the Alice actress shared that she has experienced a newfound appreciation for single parents since becoming a mother to Leodis, who was a few days old at the time, by posting an emotional Instagram video.
"I just came on here to say, if you're a single parent, pull out your cape. Matter of fact, clip off your angel wings because I don't know how you guys did it." Palmer said. "And I really don't want this to sound like pandering, or something like this, because I know there's a million and one reasons why somebody wants to be a single parent or has become a single parent."
Also, in the clip, Palmer went on to list various reasons why an individual became a single parent, ranging from a spouse's death to the person choosing to be alone. Palmer ended the video by explaining that she is "impressed" by her friends and family that are single parents because she realized that after having Leodis that it takes a "village" to raise a child and that many don't have the privilege.
"But when it comes to raising a kid, I've already learned in these short few days that it takes a village. And sometimes, that's a privilege. And I just want anybody out there that's a single parent that's been doing this, friends of mine, people that I don't know, family members of mine, I'm really in my heart, it brings tears to my eyes. I am just truly, profoundly impressed," Palmer shared as she teared up.
Since that post, Palmer has appeared to be tackling motherhood and her career just fine. The star updated her fans in another upload and expressed that her son has given her "a greater purpose" and how excited she is for what's to come.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow