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Keke Palmer Explained Why She Spoke Out About That Viral Zendaya Colorism Comparison

“The real conversation around colorism and Keke Palmer should be that she defied the odds.”

by Chelsea Stewart

BuzzFeed Staff

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A little more than a week ago, Keke Palmer was minding her own blessed business when she found herself in the middle of a Twitter debate about her career.

Kate Green / Getty Images for Universal

Some social media users were comparing her to fellow actor and Disney star, Zendaya, wondering if Keke would have greater mainstream success if she didn't have darker skin.

Taylor Hill / WireImage

“This may be one of the clearest examples of how colorism plays out in Hollywood," one tweet read in part. "They were both child-stars, but their mainstream popularity is very different.”

Imeh Akpanudosen / Getty Images

Keke weighed in on the debate as the tweet went viral, letting people know that she's an "incomparable talent." "A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone," she wrote on Twitter.

Keke Palmer @KekePalmer

A great example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone. I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer.

11:26 PM - 24 Jul 2022

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Twitter: @KekePalmer

“I’m the youngest talk show host ever. The first Black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, & the youngest & first Black Cinderella on broadway. I’m an incomparable talent. Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer.”

And now, she's opening up even more about the situation. Keke told The Guardian that in general, she's "always" dealt with people asking her about race and colorism, which can sometimes be "difficult" to handle.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images,

“It’s difficult. I’m asked about it a lot, you know?" she shared. "Before that little tweet even came out. People would always ask me: ‘How do you deal with colorism? How do you deal with being Black in this industry?’"

Jc Olivera / Getty Images

"And the answer I’m gonna give you may not be the answer that you want. Because the truth is, I ignore it. I ignore it," Keke added.

Robert Kamau / GC Images

She wasn't negating that racism exists, but said she “just hate[s] when the narrative goes to a place where I think young girls might look and say: ‘I’m a victim.' When yes, racism is real. Colorism is real."

Emma Mcintyre / WireImage

But when it comes to the comparisons between her and Zendaya, she thinks that was a little too much. “You believe I’m not doing enough, not because I’m not but because you don’t believe that I can be enough. And that is colorism," Keke continued.

Todd Williamson

“You should actually use me as an example of what I was able to accomplish despite what I was up against," she added. "Don’t change the story of somebody who has given hope to make them hopeless. The real conversation around colorism and Keke Palmer should be that she defied the odds.”

Sopa Images / SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Bottom line! You can read what she had to say in full here.

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