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
Meanwhile, frankincense and myrrh originate from the Middle East and Africa (you know, like the Bible does — some folks need to be reminded of that—eh hem — Trumpers) and ginger? It too helps with indigestion (which can definitely creep up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables); plus, it’s a key ingredient for ginger snaps and gingerbread houses. So, as you can see, holiday-themed scents have a rhyme and reason to them.
Tying this all in together — several years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry ‘Christmas Sex’?” Well, in the spirit of revisiting some of that content, with a bit of a twist, I decided to broach some traditional holiday scents from the perspective of which ones will do your libido a ton of good from now through New Year’s Eve (check out “Make This Your Best NYE. For Sex. EVER.”).
Are you ready to check some of them out, so that, whether it’s via a candle, a diffuser, some essential oil, or some DIY body cream (check out “How To Incorporate All Five Senses To Have The Best Sex Ever”), you can bring some extra festive ambiance into your own boudoir? Excellent.
1. Vanilla
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When it comes to holiday desserts, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find recipes that don’t include vanilla — and that alone explains why it is considered to be a traditional holiday scent. As far as your libido goes, vanilla is absolutely considered to be an aphrodisiac — partly because its sweet scent is considered to be very sensual. Some studies even reveal that vanillin (the active ingredient in vanilla) is able to increase sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, if you adore the smell, here is more incentive to use it.
2. Frankincense
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Although, typically, when people think about frankincense (and myrrh), it’s in the context of the gifts that the wise men brought Christ after he was born; it’s a part of the biblical Christmas story. However, frankincense goes much deeper than that. Sexually, since it has an earthy and spicy scent, some people like to use it to meditate (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”). Also, since it has the ability to put you in a better mood, soothe and soften your skin and maintain your oral health — with the help of frankincense, every touch and kiss can be that much…sexier.
3. Cinnamon
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I already gave cinnamon a shout-out in the intro. Personally, I’ve been a fan of it, in the sex department, for a long time now (check out “12 ‘Sex Condiments’ That Can Make Coitus Even More...Delicious”). When it’s in oil form, it can be very sweet to the taste while sending a warm sensation throughout the body — which is why the giver and receiver of oral sex can benefit from its usage. Beyond that, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow to your genital region, elevate sexual desire and, some studies say that it can even help improve fertility. Beautiful.
4. Peppermint
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If there’s a signature candy for the holiday season, it’s probably a candy cane — which automatically puts peppermint in the running for being an official holiday scent. Pretty much, in any form, it’s got your sex life’s back because it’s hailed as being a sexual stimulant; in part, because its smell is so invigorating. Plus, it helps to (eh hem) ease headaches, it gives you more energy and it can definitely help to freshen your breath. Also, that minty sensation? The same thing that I said about cinnamon can apply to peppermint too (if you catch my drift).
5. Ginger
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Whether it’s in a meal or in your bedroom, ginger is going to produce results that are hella spicy. On the sex tip, science has praised ginger for being able to increase sexual arousal, improve blood circulation (which intensifies orgasms) and strengthen fertility for many years. Scent-wise, I find it to be one that both men and women enjoy because it is both woodsy and sweet. So, if you’ve got some massage oil in mind, adding some ginger is a way to please you both.
6. Pomegranate
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September through December is the time of year when pomegranates are considered to be in season. And, as someone who is a Rosh Hashanah observer, I have a personal adoration for them because I am aware of the various things that they symbolize in Hebrew culture including the fact that they are a fruit that represents love and fertility. So yeah, they would absolutely be an aphrodisiac — one that is perfect for this time of the year. While consuming it helps to boost testosterone levels in both men and women, the floral bittersweet smell that it produces can help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation (like most floral scents do) — and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to climax.
7. Nutmeg
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Another signature seasoning during the holiday season is nutmeg. It’s perfect in Thanksgiving sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie and Christmas morning French toast. And yes, it can also make your sex life better. If you consume it, it can intensify your libido and, overall, its warm-meets-spicy-meets-sweet smell is so inviting that it is considered to be a pretty seductive scent.
8. Cloves
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I ain’t got not one lie to tell you — if you’ve got a toothache, put some clove oil on that bad boy and send me a Christmas present for putting you on game. Aside from that, as I round all of this out, cloves are another holiday scent that can do wonders for your sex life. For men, it has the ability to significantly increase sexual arousal and improve stamina and endurance. For men and women alike, it also has a reputation for strengthening sexual desire. And for women solely? Well, if you want an all-natural way to increase natural lubrication down below — the scent and and feel (in DILUTED oil form) can make that happen. It can make the holidays especially special…if you know what I mean.
Ah yes — the atmosphere of the holidays and what it can do.
Take it all in! Scent ‘n whatever stimulating that comes with it! #wink
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