Keke Palmer Reflects on Early Career and Experiences with Disney and Nickelodeon

Keke Palmer recently shared insights into her early career, emphasizing her experiences with major networks Disney and Nickelodeon. During an appearance on «The Toast» podcast, hosted by Claudia and Jackie Oshry, the actress highlighted pivotal roles that contributed to her rise in the entertainment industry.

During the interview, Palmer articulated the significant impact of her role in «True Jackson, VP,» a Nickelodeon series, stating, «The thing that put Keke Palmer on the map like boooom, was True Jackson, VP. My life was changed after that, honey.» This role was a transformative moment in her career, according to Palmer.

Palmer also recounted her experience working on Disney Channel’s «Jump In.» Claudia Oshry remarked on the uncommon nature of child actors managing careers with both Disney and Nickelodeon, leading Palmer to reflect on the distinctions between the two giants.

The actress praised Disney for its holistic approach to storytelling, saying, «Disney is really amazing when it comes to, not only the storytelling you see on screen, but the storytelling within the company. They are literally like a whole universe, and I think that feels really good when you’re a kid because the magic doesn’t end.» She described Disney as creating a sense of belonging and allure, expressing how childhood stars feel, «I need to be here. It’s something you want to be a part of.»

In contrast, Palmer characterized her experience with Nickelodeon as more commercially focused, noting the network’s appealing financial compensations. «Their paying was really awesome,» she acknowledged, although she described the environment as lacking in excitement and creativity, saying, «It was kind of like ‘Come in and get this check.’ It wasn’t about making it necessarily exciting.»

Palmer humorously recounted a notable memory involving Nickelodeon’s famous slime, which is used in promotional events. «We were doing this big promotional thing, and they slimed me so many times. I was in my weave era, and it was a mess. I sat under the dryer for hours, just to get slimed again. Honey, I hated that slime after that. It was too much,» she said, highlighting one of the less glamorous aspects of working with the network.