Forgive me if you find what I'm about to put forth presumptuous. It is my opinion that Keke Plamer is the up and coming Angela Bassett. I have the utmost respect for Angela and is in no way suggesting that she could ever be replaced because Bassett is undoubtedly irreplaceable.
What I'm professing is that Miss Palmer is cut from the same cloth so to speak. She's got the makings of the likes of Basett, Lynn Whitfield, Cicely Tyson and so many other actresses of color. She's unequivocally cut from the same cloth.
I find her acting skills remarkable. Keke seems mature beyond her 14 young years (she'll be 15 come August 26). The roles she has taken on thus far in her career speak volumes. As long as she continues in this vein, she's sure to be successful.
The fact that she has already acted alongside veterans Samuel L. Jackson, Laurence Fishburne and the stalwart herself - Angela B speaks volumes of the potential that this young lady holds. Not only has she acted opposite these greats but she has held her own doing so. This budding star has also worked with William H. Macy, Queen Latifah, Cedrick The Entertainer. Her up-coming films will have her working with Robin Williams, Ice Cube, Kevin Spacey, Vivica A. Fox and Keshia Knight Pulliam.
I was truly impressed with her role in Cleaner opposite Jackson. If you haven't seen the movie, I strongly recommend it. Her appearances throughout the film weren't many. But the scenes that she was in; she nailed them all! That she did. She has built up a reputation for stealing scenes and she's damn good at it.
She started her career at the tender age of 9 in Barbershop 2 - Back in Business in 2004 and has been making a name for herself ever since. And if you think that I'm just a fan tooting Keke's horn, then think again for this rising star's talent and accomplishments speak for themselves. The fact that she's won 5 awards and been nominated for 7 others is proof positive that she's not a fly-by-night sensation.
In 2006 she won 2 awards and in 2007 she won 3 awards for her role in Akeelah and the Bee:
Black Movie Award - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2006)
ShoWest Convention, USA - Special Award - Rising Star of the Year
Young Artist Award - Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress
NAACP Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Black Reel Award - Best Actress
Other nominations include Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, Chicago Film Critics Association Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
From 2004 to now she has made 14 appearances both in film and on television. Her television appearances include stints in ER, Law & Order: SVU, Strong Medicine, Cold Case and House of Payne. Movie credits include The Wool Cap, Akeelah and the Bee and Madea's Family Reunion. She's got 6 additional movies in the making: The Longshots which she just completed and will be released 22 August, Unstable Fables: Tortise vs. Hare (voice post-production - 2008), Madea Goes to Jail (Feb. 2009), Shrink (2009 - currently filming), True Jackson (Nov. 2008) and Vapors (2008).
I am absolutely pleased with the choices that Palmer has made so far in her career and her performance is certainly above par. I'm looking forward to watching her build a solid, admirable, respectable, worthwhile, inspiring and praise-worthy career. It warms my heart more than I can express at the thought of being present to witness her talents unfold. The fact that most new actors take on 'given' roles; roles that are not substantial makes me even more impressed with Palmer. All of her roles thus far have been very substantial and meaningful roles. And the way I see, if she's started out in this vein, it gives her that much more leverage to continue choosing such roles.
Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer is also a singer. She released her debut album So Uncool on September 18, 2007 and have singles on a number of movie soundtracks including Akeelah and the Bee, Night at the Museum, and Disney Mania 5 and 6.
Keke I've got my eyes on you and know that you're destined for great things. I wish you the very best in your career and hope that you'll stay grounded and committed to what you do. I'm very proud of you.
Keep up the good work.
p.s. Is it my eyes or does she bear a resemblance to Angie?
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