Nope star Keke Palmer has been acting since she was a child, and has racked up an impressive resume of movies, TV shows, and also the ability to host, dance, and sing. Earlier this year she was even named in People Magazine’s “Women changing the world” list.
But over the weekend, her name became a trending topic on Twitter when a few users were discussing how they felt that her career has been overlooked due to colourism (society’s bias against darker skin tones which contributes to racial inequality, especially in an industry like Hollywood). Fans were comparing Palmer's career to Zendaya's, noting that the latter has a lighter skin tone and alleging that she's received more mainstream fame because of it.
Melinda Eg wrote on Twitter (via Newsweek) "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."
They added more comparisons in subsequent tweets, noting that some are calling Palmer's Nope performance her "breakout role" while Euphoria is considered Zendaya's "breakout" even though the former has been in the industry longer.
And let's just say, Keke was not happy about the conversation.
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,” she tweeted late Sunday night on her official account. “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."
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
She continued her response in the thread, writing, “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."
Before Keke had responded to Eg, several users had shared their agreement, adding similar hypotheses and denouncing the colourism that affects many women of colour.
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. So yes it’s colorism. https://t.co/LibCjKpJhE
— DEMEI JEANE BAGUETTE (@DEMEIMA) July 24, 2022
Keke Palmer deserves the same hype ya’ll give Zendaya https://t.co/OAeWpXNqN9
— Rhi✨ (@RhiannonLopezz) July 23, 2022
However, a few users pointed out that pitting two Black women against each other in some kind of career competition was unfair to all women of colour trying to succeed in showbiz, and that these kinds of comparisons are rooted in sexism and misogynoir.
keke palmer and zendaya through the years 🥰 since y’all love putting successful black women against each other! pic.twitter.com/hqBNlcny2t
— 5x Emmy Nominee Zendaya ♥️ (@milfdayaera) July 25, 2022
Instead of focusing on and celebrating Keke Palmer, y’all have changed the conversation to make comparisons. And now instead of Keke trending for her accomplishments, Zendaya is trending while Keke is not. Y’all are apart of the problem! pic.twitter.com/UllgHFq75g
— TiTi (@ElegantFenty) July 24, 2022
Keke Palmer is the lead in a well reviewed number one film & the first person you think about is Zendaya? Addressing the rampant colorism in Hollywood is important but can you give the girl one weekend to shine without comparisons? How is that helping dark skin black women?
— ZAK (@Zakiyyah6) July 25, 2022
Folks made a huge opening weekend for Keke Palmer about Zendaya. Smh.
— Rae Sanni (@raesanni) July 24, 2022
In the end, fans are glad Keke has addressed her name going viral with the Euphoria star’s name, and that she has stood up for herself in epic fashion.
Glad Keke Palmer tweeted that out because why tf is she randomly being compared to Zendaya this weekend. She shining on her own, and has been for a while now.
— 500 🏎 (@Kameron_Hay) July 24, 2022
Speak your truth @KekePalmer. You did a phenomenal job in #NOPE, you’ve had an outstanding career and you’ve been sensational before you were even a teenager. You should be very proud — as should the wonderful @Zendaya. Both of you are shining. No comparisons, just admiration!!!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2022
Apart from starring in Jordan Peele’s Nope which opened this past weekend, Keke has starred in countless majorly successful productions including (but not limited to) Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, Akeelah and the Bee, Scream Queens, Hustlers and Pixar’s Lightyear. She also co-hosted Strahan, Sara & Keke. Variety reports that Nope has earned over $44 million its opening weekend. However, Newsweek reports that while Keke has over 100 credits to her name, her net worth is estimated at $7.5 million, whereas Zendaya has 50 credits but a net worth of $20 million.