Keke Palmer Shares How an Unexpected Voicemail from Will Smith Helped Her Cope with Childhood Fame

Keke Palmer Shares How an Unexpected Voicemail from Will Smith Helped Her Cope with Childhood Fame

When Keke Palmer was 17 and considering emancipation from her parents, a surprising voicemail from Will Smith offered advice that would change her perspective on handling fame and family.

In an exclusive clip from The Toast podcast, where Palmer is promoting her book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, the Nope star recalled the moment she received a call from Smith. She had just consulted with her lawyer, who suggested trying family therapy instead of emancipation. Word of her struggle apparently spread, and soon Palmer received a call from an unknown number while on the set of True Jackson, VP.

Initially, Palmer ignored the call, thinking, “This is weird, I’m not answering this.” But later, she checked her messages and discovered a voicemail from none other than Smith himself. Palmer, doing her best impression of the Hitch star, recalled his words: “Hey, Keke. It’s Will. We’re over here doing Karate Kid with Jaden. I just want to let you know I talked to [your lawyer]. He told me what 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 ultimately decided against emancipation, and now, looking back, she’s grateful for Smith’s advice. “When you’re the first at something, whether you’re a child entertainer, the first in your family to go to college, or to get married, there are a lot of new challenges that come with it,” Palmer explained. “I thought I’d have to cut ties with my family, but the advice I received from people around me—including Will—helped me see things differently.”

Reflecting on her journey, she continued, “I realized I had a community of people who encouraged unity, not division. My parents ensured I had supportive people around me, whether they were friends, family, or mentors.”

Keke Palmer Shares How an Unexpected Voicemail from Will Smith Helped Her Cope with Childhood Fame

In the full episode of The Toast podcast, hosted by Claudia and Jackie Oshry, Palmer also dives into the highs and lows of child stardom, the three projects she considers her breakthrough roles, and her experiences working with both Disney and Nickelodeon.

Catch Palmer’s full conversation on The Toast podcast, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

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