Keke Palmer Shares Surprising Voicemail Will Smith Left Her When She Considered Emancipating Herself from Her Parents

Mar. 15, 2025

Keke Palmer and Will Smith.Photo:JC Olivera/FilmMagic; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

JC Olivera/FilmMagic; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Keke Palmergot some help from a surprising source when she was having difficulties with her parents.

The actress, 31, appeared on a Tuesday, Nov. 19 episode ofThe Toastpodcast and opened up about a voicemail she received fromWill Smiththat helped her through a tough situation with her family. Palmer, who rose to fame after her role inAkeelah and the Bee, discussed how grappling with her newfound notoriety was difficult for her and her family.

She decided to discuss emancipation from her parents with her lawyer, who tried to steer her towards therapy instead.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Keke Palmer and family at the world premiere of Universal Pictures' “NOPE” in 2022.Alberto Rodriguez/Hollywood Reporter/Getty

Alberto Rodriguez/Hollywood Reporter/Getty

The star went back to work and later checked her phone, which now had an unread voicemail from that same number — who ended up beingWill Smith.

“Hey, Keke. It’s Will. We’re over here doingKarate Kidwith Jaden and I just want to let you know that I talked [her lawyer],” Palmer says, impersonating theMen in Blackactor. “He let me know everything you’re going through, and I want you to know sometimes it’s hard being the first, but you’ll get through.”

“Just keep staying focused, love on your family, and y’all gonna be good,” Palmer remembers Smith saying.

At the end of the day, Palmer decided not to seek emancipation from her parents and attributes part of the reason to Smith’s phone call.

“It’s something that happens when you’re stepping out, and you could be a child entertainer, or you could be the first person in your family to go to college, or the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer says. “There’s so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family continue to grow and evolve.”

“And this was a difficult thing for me that I felt meant that I had to throw my family away,” she continues.

“I’ve always had, I think a lot of people — whether they’re notable names or they’re my attorney — that I had a good community, that also my parents made sure I was around, that would encourage community and not like dissension and us breaking apart.”

source: people.com