By: Kam Williams
Born in Harvey, Illinois on August 26, 1993, Lauren Keyana Palmer has been wowing audiences since the tender age of 9. Keke first received great acclaim when she starred as the title character in the sleeper hit Akeelah and the Bee, opposite actor Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. Keke followed that powerful performance with lead roles in The Longshots, Shrink and Joyful Noise. She’s also made memorable appearances in such films as Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Cleaner and Madea’s Family Reunion, as well as voiceover work…Keke will next be starring in the horror thriller Animal, directed by Brett Simmons, which is set to release in the spring of 2014. On TV.
Here she talks about her latest outing as Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas in Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story, a VH1 original movie, which will air again Tuesday, November 05 3:00 PM CST on VH1.
KW: What interested you in Crazy Sexy Cool? Were you a fan of TLC as a kid?
KP: Being a fan is exactly what made me want to do this film. I wanted to be a part of telling the story of a favorite group of mine.
KW: How did you prepare for the role? Is it hard to play a real-life person than a fictional character?
KP: I just watched a lot of old footage. I also spent a lot of time with Chilli and just observed her.
KW: Was Chilli present on the set making suggestions?
KP: Yes! She definitely let me do my thing, but she was always there for questions.
KW: What message do you think people will take away from Crazy Sexy Cool?
KP: You can do anything as long as you don’t stop believing. When it is meant to be, it will be. You just have to follow your heart.
KW: Tell me a little about your new TV series, “Full Circle.”
KP: It’s a mini-series written by Neil LaBute about a bunch of different people who connect in some way in the last episode.
KW: You’ve been shooting a horror film set to be released next spring called Animal. The picture sounds great, but please don’t tell me you die first, like many a black character in scary movies?
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
KP: Probably reality-TV.
KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision?
KP: To pick projects that affect me.
KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
KP: Running through the beads that used to hang from the doorway, separating the room.
KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet?
KP: I may be slightly more patient on the carpet.
KW: The Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another profession, what would that be?
KP: Hairstyling.
KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
KP: Follow your heart’s truth with no need for personal gain other than the feeling produced when doing what you truly love.
KW: Thanks again for the time, Keke, and best of luck with all your endeavors.
KP: Thank you, Kam.