Until the recent issues with her ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson made headlines, Keke Palmer was one of the rare child stars who grew into a successful adult actor without encountering any major scandals. However, even when you’re not leading the gossip mill, child stardom comes with a heavy price. The former Nickelodeon star recently reflected on that time in her life and how she views it now in a revealing, emotional Instagram post.
“Reminiscing on this beautiful experience in my life! I had a great epiphany in therapy recently,” she wrote. “Due to traveling and scheduling both of my parents had to stop working to support my career and be present for my three siblings, leaving me with the financial responsibility around age 12. Which I took great pride in because I knew what it would do for generations to come and a huge blessing that I could even help out.”
Before nabbing the starring role in Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP,” a young Keke appeared in the movies “Akeelah and the Bee” and “Madea’s Family Reunion,” and had memorable guest roles in the TV series, “ER” and “Law & Order: SVU.” The actress/singer’s work ethic is admirable. She always has a project in development. She’s been going non-stop since she started acting. While that’s helped her build a fantastic career, it’s not a sustainable way to live.
“However it caused me a lot of pain because I essentially had to abandon my childhood feelings and desires, becoming like a parentalized child, which is something some of you can probably relate to in your own way,” Palmer added. “This was something that I have had to continuously work through because I am grateful but often feel like.. I missed ‘IT.’”
The “Nope” star went on to explain that having her son, Leo, offered her a chance to finally discover the childhood she missed out on. Raising him and enjoying memorable milestones is allowing her to have some experiences that she may have missed out on in her own childhood.
“Life can be such a tragic comedy because how funny is it…that now becoming an actual parent, and the responsibility I’ve always carried being more valid now than ever, has in fact given me the chance to feel what it’s like to be a kid again,” she said. “I get a chance to explore a lot of the things I missed out on with my son. His freedom is like, the most priceless gift to me. He is already teaching me so much, it’s like he awakened the little me inside that I thought was long gone. God never forgets, the irony always gets me.”
Keke Palmer has lived most of her life in the public eye. Just because she’s been successful, and unproblematic, doesn’t mean she hasn’t had private struggles. Some of which we’ve recently heard about. It’s up to her to decide if going non-stop since such a young age has contributed to her current issues. But if we’re being honest, becoming the financial breadwinner and being forced into adult situations before you’re an actual adult isn’t good for anyone.