Keke Palmer recently shared a heartfelt story about how a voicemail from Will Smith became a turning point in her life. Speaking on The Toast podcast, the actress revealed that Smith reached out during a turbulent time when she was contemplating emancipating herself from her parents.
Will Smith’s Timely Wisdom for Keke Palmer
The actress, now 31, rose to fame as a child star in films like Akeelah and the Bee and the Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP. But success brought challenges, including strained family dynamics. At 17, Palmer consulted a lawyer about legally separating from her parents, Sharon and Larry.
“I was going through it,” Palmer explained. “I felt like I had to throw my family away to move forward.”
A few weeks after her lawyer advised her to consider therapy, Palmer received an unexpected call. “I was on set, and this really obscure number popped up,” she recalled. Uninterested at the time, she let it go to voicemail. Later, she was stunned to hear the familiar voice of Will Smith.
“‘Hey, Keke. It’s Will,’” Palmer said, imitating Smith’s warm tone. “‘We’re here filming Karate Kid with Jaden. I talked to your lawyer, and he told me what’s going on.’”
Smith continued with advice that Palmer still holds close. “‘Sometimes it’s hard being the first, but you’ll get through. Keep staying focused, love on your family, and y’all gonna be good.’”
Palmer credits Smith’s words with giving her a new perspective. “I realized I didn’t have to separate myself from my family to succeed. That call changed everything.”
A Lesson in Community and Resilience
Looking back, Palmer feels grateful for the strong network her parents fostered. “I had people who encouraged community instead of breaking us apart,” she said.
For Palmer, Smith’s message wasn’t just about her personal struggles. “You could be the first in your family to go to college, get married, or do anything big. It’s hard, but you’ll get through.”
Now, as a successful actress and mother, Palmer continues to reflect on that pivotal moment. “That voicemail reminded me that family is worth fighting for,” she said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”