Keke Palmer recently opened up about a pivotal moment in her life, revealing a voicemail she received from Will Smith that profoundly impacted her decision to remain close to her family during a challenging time. Speaking on The Toast podcast, Palmer shared that at 17, she was contemplating emancipation from her parents while navigating the pressures of early fame.
She was starring in True Jackson, VP when she received an unexpected call from an unfamiliar number. “A couple of weeks go by, and I’m on the set of True Jackson, VP, and I get a call from this really, really obscure number,” Palmer recalled. “And I’m like, what? Like this is weird, I’m not answering this.” Later, when she checked her phone, she discovered a voicemail from none other than Will Smith.
In the message, Smith shared encouragement and wisdom. “Hey, Keke. It’s Will,” the voicemail began. “We’re over here doing Karate Kid with Jaden. I just want to let you know I talked to [Palmer’s lawyer]. He let me know everything you’re going through, and I want you to know sometimes it’s hard being the first, but you’ll get through.
Just keep staying focused, love on your family, and y’all gonna be good.” Palmer revealed that Smith’s words played a significant role in her decision not to pursue emancipation. “This was like a difficult thing for me that I felt meant I had to throw my family away,” she explained. “[But] I’ve always had, I think, a lot of people — whether they’re notable names or they’re my attorney — that I had a good community that my parents made sure I was around, that would encourage community and not dissension and us breaking apart.”
Palmer expressed gratitude for the support system her parents helped cultivate and for the timely intervention from Smith. His message reminded her of the importance of family and staying grounded during trying times.
The heartfelt story highlights the impact of mentorship and community, especially for young stars navigating fame. For Palmer, Smith’s kind gesture and thoughtful advice proved to be a guiding light during a critical moment in her life.