One thing about Keke Palmer is sis is going to say a word.
Whether she's addressing self-worth, her noteworthy career moves, or standing in her power as the Keke "Keep a Job" Palmer that we know her to be, Keke has a way of speaking life into any room she enters and into any person in ear-shot of her words of wisdom. As the years go by, the multi-hyphenate continues to prove there's no limit to her ability to level up.
From launching her own digital network, KeyTV to producing and starring in films (the recently-released One of Them Days is yet another win for the star), and of course, gifting us with a meme every now and again, the 31-year-old no doubt provides the entertainment, but she also has the uncanny ability to leave us feeling empowered.
Here, we take a moment to celebrate the wealth of gems Keke has graced us with by being her most authentic self at all times. Keep reading for 10 of Keke's most inspirational quotes that are bound to leave you motivated AF.
Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesKeke Palmer On Unshakeable Self-Belief: "If you ain't riding for you, then why am I getting in the passenger seat?"
Keke's self-belief is unmatched and in relaying the quote that follows, it's clear that she wants us all to have a piece of that by standing ten toes down in our own power. During a guest appearance at the Sherri show in February 2025, she dropped the following that I'd argue should be a part of your morning mantra if it isn't already:
"They may not ever see you, but you see you. The moment that you say you're that girl, you're that guy, you're that person to yourself. If somebody is going to follow, that's when they will. People can't do what you're not doing. If you ain't riding for you, then why am I getting in the passenger seat? You know what I'm saying? When you look in the mirror at yourself, what do you say to yourself? Girl, you are who you think you are!"
Keke On Embracing a New Perspective: "Everything feels kind of possible in terms of the skills that I’ve learned up until this point that allow me to move forward. I can do it with the right mindset, with the right practices. Nothing is the end of the world."
Keke’s confidence and self-assurance stem from trust, patience, and the deep understanding that she no longer has anything to prove. She spent her 20s laying the groundwork for the sense of ease she now moves with in her 30s, something she credits to the investment she’s made in herself.
She shared this perspective and other gems in her 2024 digital cover story with SELF, adding, "I have a greater sense of perspective. There’s also a level of contentment—I don’t have to prove anything to anybody."
On Authenticity & Perception: "You only can be yourself authentically in the way in which you are perceived. And if you’re trying your best to be perceived accurately, there might be different ways that you have to perform for people to resonate with it."
Keke understands that a major key to authenticity is not side-stepping the importance of perception. In a world that constantly projects expectations onto us, Keke acknowledges that sometimes, connecting with others requires a level of performance, not to be inauthentic, but to be received in the way we intend.
"It could be because you’re a woman. It could be because you’re Black, it could be because you’re gay, because you’re straight, because you are disabled. Now you have to take into account how people see you," she told SELF. "It doesn’t mean that it’s not authentic to you. It is you authentically being intentional about how you show up so that you can get where you want to go."
Keke Palmer On Career Fulfillment: "My work isn't measured by anything more than if I had fun doing it and if I'm enjoying it."
In a 2020 exclusive interview with xoNecole, Keke talked about her project Virgo Tendencies and her evolution of an artist. She continued, saying that her work is "not based on anyone else's outside reactions or feelings, but it's based off of the fact that I like music, I'm creating it and it's enjoyable whereas sometimes when I was a kid, there was a lot of label pressure. Now I don't have a lot of that and I think that shows through the music in the way that I'm able to have more of a creative expression and be able to be more natural with how I give my music to my fans. It's more authentic to me."
On Being a Virgo: "It's the constant analyzing of myself and being able to really pay attention to the details of myself to know what it is I need. That is super Virgo of me and it's a bit controlling, but I like to be in control of myself and in control of my life, so it's okay."
In the same interview, Keke also gave insight into how her Virgo tendencies that served as inspiration for the name of the album she was promoting also act as a throughline in her life, adding, "It's in every factor––whether it be how I feel about my body and my fitness, or how I feel about my mental health and if I need a break, if I need to add more of 'this' in my life with my friends, or remove 'that' because that's not making me feel good––that's my Virgo tendency that I feel really does help me, but then I have other Virgo tendencies that make me crazy, too (laughs)."
Keke On Giving Herself Permission to Simply Be: "I love my alone time. I don't want to talk... For me, it was realizing that I also deserved to exist like that."
For as long as we’ve known Keke, from child star to now, she’s been a natural entertainer. You can count on her to be the one cracking jokes, lighting up rooms, and exuding confidence. But even the most charismatic people have layers, and Keke has been candid about the difference between the extroverted version of herself in public and the more introverted version of herself she is behind closed doors.
In a 2024 interview with Interview, she explained to RuPaul, "You might seem more introverted outside, but then when you get home to the people that are close to you, they might see this super extroverted person. It can vary. But I think for me, I was always externally out, making jokes. It was kind of my defense mechanism in order to deal with some of my own sensitivity. But then when I’m in my own space, I’m very quiet. I love my alone time. I don’t want to talk. Even now when I’m with my son, there are no words. For me, it was realizing that I also deserved to exist like that."
On Side Hustles: "I feel like they are necessary and the only way to create a sense of personal power in the work place. It would be nice to have one job but I feel like depending on one source of income leaves you with zero autonomy."
It's no surprise that the woman wearing multiple hats in the different career lanes she occupies also believes side hustles and multiple income streams in the 2020s is "necessary." She shared her thoughts on the topic in 2023 on X/Twitter via Black Enterprise.
Keke Palmer On Mastering Herself First: "For me in my life, it’s not about the things that I do, it’s about me that I master. Obviously, it’s a constant journey. You’re always evolving."
For Keke, success isn't just about the accolades and achievements, it's about self-mastery. The Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative author shared with US Weekly, "For me in my life, it’s not about the things that I do, it’s about me that I master. Obviously, it’s a constant journey. You’re always evolving. But if you can figure out how to master yourself, then your ability to be a part of all things and make all things work for you is the goal for me. Part of my journey of mastering myself so that I can be everything I want to be and more."
On Keeping It Real: "I don't think I'm servicing anyone by being fake. I am gonna be real because you’re safe when you’re being real. If you say, ‘I don’t know how to do that,’ then you’re not gonna have to go through the pressure of pretending you do."
As a Black woman in Hollywood, choosing authenticity is a radical act, but for Keke, it’s the only way to move through life. In a 2019 interview with Refinery29, she shared that believes that honesty, even about what you don’t know, is the key to real freedom.
"I don’t think that I’m servicing anyone if I’m being fake,” Keke told the publication. “I am gonna be real because you’re safe when you’re being real. If you say, ‘I don’t know how to do that,’ then you’re not gonna have to go through the pressure of pretending you do. Don’t lie to nobody, and then you can relax."
Keke Palmer on the Power of the Reframe: "That's where the reframe comes in. I am the queen of a reframe, okay?"
A recurring theme in Keke's world is the power of shifting her mindset, and one way she's revealed she does that is by mastering the art of the reframe. The Baby, This Is Keke Palmer host shared on The Jennifer Hudson Show that she takes ‘rejection is redirection’ to the next level, reframing every perceived loss as a win.
"That's where the reframe comes in. I am the queen of a reframe, okay? It's not that I didn't get the role, it's that your movie no longer is gonna be as good as it could have been 'cuz I'm not in it. You didn't break up with me, you released me from being in your wrath. And you can call it delusional, but I call it a reframe."
For Keke, it's about divine alignment, a lesson meant to guide her toward something even better. By shifting her mindset, she reclaims her power and moves forward with confidence.
If there’s one lesson we can take from Keke Palmer’s most inspiring quotes, it’s that perspective is everything. She reminds us that when you believe in yourself, the universe has no choice but to align in your favor.
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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