Let's get one thing clear: Keke Palmer is no newcomer. In fact, she's been out here (my pre-teen self lived for her Nickelodeon days), but she's come a long way since True Jackson, VP. With a career that includes staring in multiple films, releasing albums, and co-hosting Good Morning America, Keke can seemingly conquer anything, including recently garnering her fair share of headlines for her part in the star-studded cast of the most talked-about movie of the year, Hustlers. If you haven’t seen the movie, I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say Keke’s glow-up isn’t just from copious amounts of glitter. Ahead, Keke talks skincare, her impressive career, and of course what it was like to work alongside the one and only Jennifer Lopez.
On the Hustlers cast…
"I loved all the cast members,” Keke told us, "but I really bonded with my girl Lili Reinhart because we did so much together, and our characters were close in the film. And so she and I actually spent so much time working together on set, plus we’re both Virgos.”
On Jenifer Lopez, specifically…
We're not the only ones impressed by Jenifer Lopez's training for Hustlers—Keke is a fan too. As she stated, "J.Lo’s health routine had me like, Oh, girl. She doesn’t drink or smoke. I wasn’t sure I could commit to that because I like to have a drink sometimes, but that’s why she looks as amazing as she does.”
Her go-to hair product while filming Hustlers…
Keke shared, "For my hair, we really stuck to using pro-style gel. That was my saving grace for my character, Mercedes’s, look.”
For styling edges and baby hairs.
On her skincare routine before shooting…
"I don’t have a huge skincare routine. I just ensure I remove makeup and wash my face the night before and the morning of shooting to ensure clean skin in-between heavy makeup applications,” Keke explained.
Great for sensitive skin.
Great for removing heavy makeup.
On her favorite look from Hustlers…
"Probably my favorite look during the film is the first look,” Keke revealed. "My hair is straight, and I loved the dress I was wearing. It was this risqué yet sweet ruched gold dress; it was a cute little vibe.”
Great for protecting natural hair textures when straightening.
Ceramic plated irons prevent unnecessary hair breakage.
On her everyday hair routine…
"Because of all the different looks I do for Good Morning America, I steam my hair every three to four days, and it has been super helpful for maintaining my natural hair and preventing damage. I also, swear by Cantu for shampoo and conditioner,” Keke explained.
On the beauty products, she swears by…
"For my full body wash, I love and used Olay’s ultra moisture body wash and used it throughout filming Hustlers,” Keke said. "It helped my skin glow on set.”
Keke named this as one of her can’t-live-without beauty products that she uses the night before shooting.
"I can’t live without my Tata Harper oil cleanser and moisturizer,” Keke told us.
Keke swears by her sunscreen; it’s how she protects her skin on and off set.
One of Keke’s go-to drugstore products, Carmex is perfect for keeping your lips hydrated.
On the evolution of Keke’s career, and what’s she’s most grateful for…
Keke promoting Hustlers on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
"I’m most grateful for my continued passion. When you’ve been doing something for so long, it’s sometimes difficult to stay engaged. But I’m happy that I’ve been able to be engaged through different parts of my career; because sometimes it’s acting, sometimes it’s hosting, sometimes it’s music. I’m happy I’ve been able to find a way to maintain my passion and forge it in different areas.”
And on lessons learned:
"The biggest thing I’ve learned is that everything just ebbs and flows, and it’s not really about what’s trendy or popular at that time, or how big your project is at that time, it’s just about staying in the space, having fun and being connected to your audience, and the people who care about the work you do, not always about what’s hot at the moment,” Keke explains.
As for what’s after Hustlers, Keke tells us to keep an eye out for new music coming soon, more mornings with GMA3, and, of course, a few more tricks up her sleeve. We’re staying tuned!
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