Keke Palmer says she felt ‘trapped’ as a child actor on Nickelodeon

Keke Palmer talks candidly about her childhood experiences.

appeared on the cover of hollywood reporter In an issue of Next Gen, Palmer spoke to the magazine about feeling “trapped” while starring in the Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP. Palmer, who played, said her low point came during a seven-day Nickelodeon cruise during the show’s three-year run.

“I felt like I was walking around in a SpongeBob suit that I couldn’t take off,” Palmer said. “I was locked up. I couldn’t leave my room unless someone called me ‘True Jackson.’ To everyone, you’re just a character… just part of their experience. “

While “True Jackson, Vice President” ran from 2008 to 2011 and helped catapult her into the spotlight, Palmer’s career evolved into something bigger, starring in “Scream Queens,” “Hustlers,” and most recently landed a role in “Nope.” .

“People don’t understand what it took for me to be able to play the part. If it weren’t for all the things I did before, no one could have done the role for me.” You wouldn’t have seen it played. So I’m proud of it. Horror movie director.

As her career has evolved, so has her persona, and the 29-year-old actress explains that there’s a difference between her public image and who she is in her private life.

“I’m a quirky artist, but I’m an artist. It’s important that people understand that Keke is a part of me,” she shared. It’s been a tortuous journey trying to find a way to exist outside of this caricature.”

“I just always say otherwise,” Palmer, whose real name is Lauren, added of her “Keke” persona. “I learned to take the bright and interesting sides of myself and how to use them in the space that has become my career. I’m Walt Disney. That’s Mickey Mouse.”

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