Actress Keke Palmer recently opened up about the highs and lows of her past relationship with ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson. The “Nope” star, who shares a son, Leodis, with Jackson, has been candid about the challenges of co-parenting and overcoming personal obstacles. In an interview with People, Palmer explained how the pressure of fame, combined with an “unhealthy” relationship, ultimately led her to seek legal action. “It got so out of control,” Palmer shared. “The only way I knew how to bring order was through the court.”
Palmer filed for a temporary restraining order against Jackson last November, alleging domestic violence. Video evidence reportedly showed Jackson breaking into her home and attempting to strangle her, a moment she described as one of the hardest of her life. Reflecting on that period, she told People, “It was the hardest thing I ever had to go through.”
Keke Palmer Balancing Motherhood and Moving On
Despite the tumultuous end to their relationship, Palmer has remained committed to maintaining a positive co-parenting dynamic for the sake of their son. “I wish I could say he was terrible the entire time or that I was… but it wasn’t that black-and-white,” she said. “I didn’t want my son to think his father is a monster, because I don’t.”
The two ultimately agreed on a joint custody arrangement following court-ordered mediation. Palmer’s focus on amicability comes from her desire to provide stability for Leodis, whom she describes as her greatest motivation. “I need to be the best for him, and to be the best for him, I gotta be the best me,” she said.
As she moves forward, Palmer is determined to prioritize her mental and physical health to be the best version of herself for her son. “If I can’t show up for him, then none of this matters to me,” she shared in a recent interview. Since the breakup, she’s found strength in self-care and personal growth, describing herself as feeling “happier than ever.”
Palmer’s memoir, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, due out November 19, will delve further into her experiences.