Keke “The gag is, I hope I don’t sound ridiculous, I know it’s not, I know it’s not The StAAllion, Sorry To This Man, That’s A Slave Hymn.” Palmer is the funniest person on the internet. At just 31 years old, Keke Palmer is an industry veteran, having starred in her first film (The Barbershop 2: Back in Business) when she was just 11 years old. Since then, she’s racked up jobs like Thanos collecting infinity stones – from hosting a lecture, to hosting the Infinity Stones show, to working as a voice actor, and even appeared in the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (yes, that iconic and underrated musical that originally starred Brandy and Whitney Houston). After a few years of playing characters in more serious drama and horror films (Pimp in 2018, Hustlers in 2019 and Nope in 2022), Palmer is returning to her comedic roots.
Set in Los Angeles, One Of Them Days is a buddy comedy in which Dreux (Palmer) and her best friend and roommate Alyssa (SZA) are as close as they are broke – that is, very. When Alyssa gives the girls’ rent to her “stinky friend Keshawn” (Palmer’s words, not mine!), the two work together to raise $1,500 by the end of the day to avoid eviction.
The movie is just as funny as Palmer is in real life. The recipe of bad luck, good jokes, physical stunts and hilarious banter creates an absolute cinematic delight – the kind that has been sorely missed in Hollywood for some time. When I saw the film in the cinema, no one could really stop laughing. The ongoing giggles constantly led to new moments of loud laughter.
Rounded out by a cast of comedic heavyweights like Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James and Katt Williams – and an unexpected but delightful performance from Maude Apatow – “One of Them Days” is a film that you know will bring comfort to many years will come when you have one of these days.
A few days after the film’s hugely successful release (according to Deadline, the film made back its $14 million budget in its opening weekend), Unbothered caught up with Palmer via Zoom to discuss the film’s success, working with Issa Rae and SZA together. and the power of original and authentic stories. And yes – I was giggling the whole time.
Undisturbed: I’ll start with a viral, of course interview Clip of yours circulating now. You talk about how much you hate the patriarchy. You say, “You’re done! You’re done!” [Laughs]. You say you want the opportunity to be in a buddy comedy like Will Smith. How does it feel to have finally achieved this and achieved this goal?
Keke Palmer: Oh my God! The way the internet brings back the things I don’t even know, I wonder: What have I done? [Laughs]. It’s so crazy! I have to find that. But I’m honored because honestly I was the girl who just said, “I want to do what the boys are doing.” I don’t know why it can’t be balanced. So it was exciting to do this with SZA – she’s amazing.
I even feel myself in the comedy and the chummyness of [the movie]It’s still so unique to our perspective as young women. It’s an original story, but also feels so nostalgic in many ways. I don’t want to sound biased because of course I’m part of the film, [but] when I first saw Lawrence [Lamont’s] When I saw the director’s cut, I immediately thought, “I want to watch it again.” Because I like Dreux and Alyssa!
Seeing this kind of impact with One of Them Days just proves that people want to see original storylines and good characters.
Keke Palmer
I saw it yesterday and was dying the whole time. The theater was dying the whole time. It was so funny. And what I loved is that it feels like that Black like capital letter B Black. There are so many moments that feel so unique to our community. Dreux didn’t have his hair done throughout the entire film –
KP: He didn’t even dip the ends! [Laughs].
And everyone has done a ponytail when the middle of their hair isn’t finished yet! [Laughs]. Now it’s the No. 1 film in America. How does it feel that a film is so uncompromisingly black and all that for us, through us Is this such a big success?
KP: It means what I think I’ve always known, which is that everyone likes original and authentic stories. Do you understand what I mean? I know we live in a world where there is so much misogyny, racism, etc. But the reality is that no one wants to see the same thing all the time. We all want to see it [something] different and especially outside of our cultures. This is why black people love the movie Selena.
[Laughs]
KP: We’re not Latinx, but we love the plot because it’s a good movie and she was a beautiful person. I feel like it’s the same with One of Them Days. Seeing these impacts just proves that people want to see life. They want to see original storylines and good characters. As long as the script is strong and the film is well put together, blacks, whites, women, men – we all should succeed.
Not only are you the star of the film, but you are also an executive producer. Issa Rae is also a producer. I know you two have been working together for a hot second Unsure. Now that you’ve spent more time with her, what do you think is something she does really well as a producer that you want or hope to emulate?
KP: [Issa] really knows how to bring people together. She is able to set that [right] people in the [right] positions [and] really trust them. When it’s time for her to get out, she’ll get out, but she’s not stepping on anyone’s toes. She is [also] quite bold and daring, meaning she is willing to try things and throw things out. She wants to push what I love.
I loved seeing her get her hands dirty by also being on set and imagining things in real time. “Hey, you should say that. Hey, she should do this. Let’s add that.” But [she is] also respectful to the director [and to] Protocol. Often when people show up in any field, they just want to jump in and do it [but] There is a system. There is a way it works. I love and respect that [she follows it].
Are there any specific examples or moments that you can remember when she jumped in with something like a note that ended up in the final cut?
KP: Oh, often! “You look really alopecian today.” There was a lot going on in the payday loan scene. [The] Drum weaving. There was a lot. I can’t remember every single one [because] There was so much improvisation. In every scene we shot, she was in the back looking for something funnier.
I love this. Speaking of on set, SZA did very well. I know none of us had ever seen her before. She was incredible. The chemistry between you was so good. It felt like you had known each other for a long time.
KP: [Nodding] It got to the point where me and her were like, “Damn, did we know each other in another life?”
[Laughs] Did you give her any advice for getting started in the acting world?
KP: I don’t know if I had any advice, I just want her to know that I have her back. For me as an actor, that’s the most important thing. Whether it’s two romantic characters or just any character you’re playing, that person needs to know that you’re behind them 1000%. I think that’s the main thing. I wanted her to know that we won’t look crazy, that we will finish this role soon and that she can rely on me. I don’t know if she needed me to tell her about acting. She was prepared. She showed up and came out. She is a natural talent.
It got to the point where me and her were like, “Damn, did we know each other in another life?”
Keke Palmer on working with SZA
I want to play a quick game before we call it a day. Since we are R29 Unbothered, I would like to play Bothered or Unbothered for a moment. I’ll present you a scenario and you tell me which one.
KP: Okay!
Your braider cancels at the last minute, disturbed or undisturbed?
KP: Disturbed. She’s finished.
She’s finished. Okay, that’s what happens to Dreux in the film. Your crush catches you looking crazy outside, disturbed or undisturbed?
KP: That doesn’t bother me. He must see me ugly one day. If he can pass that, then great.
Okay, so your crush has a criminal record, is disturbed or is not disturbed?
KP: Well, what kind of criminal?
Let’s say petty crime. Let’s say petty crime. [Laughs]
KP: Petty crime? It doesn’t bother me. Undisturbed.
OK. Lastly, when your fans respond to your quotes, bothered or unbothered?
KP: That’s the thing. I am not undisturbed because I am alive! Live and love it.
The gag is?
KP: The gag is.
Do you like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness here?
Keke Palmer only wants one thing this summer
Exclusive: Make It Make Sense premieres on KeyTV
Like Keke Palmer, I Have PCOS: My Fertility Story
