Keke Palmer reveals how Will Smith helped her cope with fame from a young age; 'I had a good community'

Palmer was involved in various notorious projects when she was a child that affected her relationship with her family.

Senior Writer

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 3:55 PM ESTNOV 19, 2024, 3:55 PM EST

Keke Palmer is thankful for her relationship with Will Smith. The actress, whose career blew up at a young age with projects like "Barbershop 2," "Akeelah and the Bee" and "Jump In!," is opening up about the challenges she faced when growing up under the spotlight and working as a child actress.

One of her sources of relief was Smith, who provided her with some sound advice when she needed it the most.

Will Smith gave Keke some much needed perspective

Palmer was featured on an episode of "The Toast," discussing complicated topics like being a child actor and seeking emancipation from her parents at the age of 17.

She revealed that she had spoken with a lawyer to discuss the topic of emancipation, with him advising her and her family to seek therapy instead. "Couple of weeks go by and I'm on the set of 'True Jackson, VP,' and I get a call from this like really, really obscure number," said Palmer. "And I'm like what? Like this is weird, I'm not answering this."

The phone call was from Smith, who left her a voicemail. "'Hey, Keke. It's Will.'" said Palmer, doing her best Smith impression.

"'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 ultimately followed Smith's advice

Palmer revealed that that message made her take a pause and reconsider her choice to seek emancipation, which she ultimately didn't pursue. She claims she can see things more clearly now with her family.

"It's something that happens when you're stepping out, and you could be a child entertainer, or you could be the first person in your family to go to college, or the first person in your family to get married — there's so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family continue to grow and evolve," she said.

"And this was like a difficult thing for me that I felt meant that I had to throw my family away. [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."

Keke Palmer, Will Smith, Serena Williams, and more at the premiere of ATL