In a recent comparison between actresses Keke Palmer and Zendaya on Twitter, some began to pit the two stars together and look at their similarities and differences as they both came to fame as child stars. The Twitter user compared the two in a viral tweet, writing “They were both child stars, but their mainstream popularity is very different,” This conversation comes right after Palmer started receiving a lot of attention online after Jordan Peele’s third film debuted last week, in which Palmer played one of the main roles.
It’s so interesting seeing the conversation around Keke Palmer having her breakout or superstar moment and it’s wild we live in different worlds because in my household Keke been a star for forever Akeelah & The Bee was my dad’s favorite movie it went triple platinum in my home.
— Aiyana N. Ishmael (@aiyanaish) July 23, 2022
Essentially, although Palmer has been around as an actress for quite some time now, it seems some believe she has not been getting enough credit or attention for what she’s been doing until recently, unlike Zendaya who has been getting the attention since departing from her roles with Disney. While some called “Nope” Palmer’s breakout role, other people disagreed and criticized society by pointing out favoritism for those who have lighter skin.
I'd like someone to do a deep-drive on the similarities and differences between Keke Palmer and Zendaya's careers. This may be one of the clearest examples of how colorism plays out in Hollywood. They were both child-stars, but their mainstream popularity is very different. https://t.co/Cmy1CXGQeI pic.twitter.com/etO27HVN0Y
— Melinda (@NBAgladiator) July 23, 2022
The original person of the thread made sure people knew they were not trying to bring down either actress but wanted to compare how society viewed either woman and their accomplishments. One person brought up net worths, noting “Keke’s net worth is $7 million and Zendaya’s is $20 million. Keke has been a mainstream success since her career began and has put in substantially more work. She should be one of the HIGHEST paid entertainers in the game,” The tweet then gathered attention and garnered over 80 thousand likes and seemed to even gather attention from Palmer herself, who had no issue in clearing the air and stating what she thought.
A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer.
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 24, 2022
“A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer,” she wrote, noting how she did not wish to be compared to anyone within the industry.
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I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old. I have over 100+ credits, and currently starring in an original screenplay that’s the number one film at the box office #NOPE. I’ve had a blessed career thus far, I couldn’t ask for more but God continues to surprise me.????????❤️????????
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 24, 2022
In a profile by New York Times, they write how Palmer “is a consummate entertainment veteran” and “this year marks her 20th year in show business” after being recruited to participate in “American Juniors,” a spinoff from American Idol in 2003. So, although some compared and contrasted Palmer’s success with other successful actresses, it seems Palmer refused to be put into a box or have her success debated, despite some people noting this role as her breakout role.
