‘SNL’: Host KeKe Palmer makes huge announcement during monologue
From Georgia Senate runoff jabs to a special announcement by host KeKe Palmer, “Saturday Night Live” delivered, along with musical guest SZA.
Patrick Colson-Price, USA TODAY
Keke Palmer received the motha of all compliments from co-parent Darius Jackson for her birthday.
The actress, who turned 30 Saturday, received a sweet birthday shoutout from Jackson – with whom she shares son Leodis – in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Happy Birthday to a one of a kind being,” Jackson wrote alongside a video of Palmer fawning over their son. “Hoping your 30s brings you many joys (and) triumphs!”
Jackson also poked fun at Palmer’s Zodiac sign, Virgo, in a since-deleted Instagram Live video, which appeared to show the pair out at a restaurant.
“Don’t believe the hype (about Virgos): They are one of the biggest spokespersons for themselves. My mom’s a Virgo, my brother’s a Virgo, my best friend’s a Virgo, my grandma’s a Virgo, my partner in crime’s a Virgo,” Jackson said in video obtained Pop Crave, seemingly referring to Palmer as his “partner in crime.”
Palmer playfully shot back at Jackson’s criticism. “You’re obsessed with Virgos, and that’s OK,” she said. “It is what it is.”
Palmer’s birthday outing with Jackson follows a controversial appearance the “Nope” star made at Usher’s Las Vegas residency in July, where she wore a black bodysuit under a sheer dress. Jackson received an outpouring of criticism on social media after he called out Palmer for her outfit choice.
“It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom,” Jackson commented at the time, later adding, “This is my family (and) my representation. I have standards (and) morals to what I believe.”
‘I have standards’: Darius Jackson doubles down amid backlash for criticizing Keke Palmer’s outfit
Palmer quickly capitalized on Jackson’s remarks, launching a T-shirt line in July featuring shirts with the message “I’m a motha.” Earlier this month, she starred opposite Usher in his music video for “Boyfriend,” which references the Vegas show Palmer attended.
Shortly following Jackson’s criticism, Palmer reflected on how motherhood has shifted her self-perception in an interview with The Cut.
“I’ll be honest, I think before I even had the baby, I was really actually quite self-conscious,” Palmer told the outlet in July. “After having my baby, I’ve gotten so much more powerful. … We’re going to lean into this new body.
“That is the whole aura of what’s happening with me in this big boss era as I come into my 30s, and I have my baby boy. I’m just continuing to spread my wings as a young woman.”
‘Do you, new moms’: Keke Palmer reflects on motherhood after co-parent Darius Jackson’s criticism
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
