It’s never fun to feel like you’re being compared to someone else—and actress Keke Palmer knows that all too well, especially when her career is unfairly stacked against Zendaya’s. But while social media debates raged, Palmer let her talent, poise, and personal style speak volumes.
While promoting Nope, she made a series of unforgettable fashion statements on red carpets around the world, embracing bold colors, high-end designers, and standout heels that elevated both her look and stature. From Valentino and Prada to Stuart Weitzman and Christian Louboutin, her fashion choices reflected a confident blend of elegance, individuality, and unapologetic flair, cementing her status as a red carpet powerhouse.
Keke Palmer in a green lace Valentino floor-length dress featuring feather boa waist trim poses with Daniel Kaluuya at the UK Premiere Of “NOPE” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 28, 2022, in London, England (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
A viral tweet argued that Palmer’s success differs from Zendaya’s, saying it’s “one of the clearest examples of how colorism plays out in Hollywood.”
Keke Palmer wears a colorful Conner Ives halter dress with metallic pumps and Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages)
Another tweet also points out how many people consider Palmer’s recent project, Nope, her breakout role, though the actresses were both popular child stars.
Keke Palmer flaunts her legs in a strapless David Koma Pre-Fall 2022 dress paired with crystal-embellished sandals at the “Nope” Premiere at Zoopalast on July 26, 2022, in Berlin, Germany (Credit: Nicole Kubelka / DDP / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Palmer caught wind of the thread and defended her career in her series of tweets. She said, “ 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.”
She tweeted, “I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old. I have over 100+ credits, and currently starring in an original screenplay that’s the number one film at the box office #NOPE. I’ve had a blessed career thus far, I couldn’t ask for more but God continues to surprise me.”
Keke Palmer in a yellow satin Prada dress and long gloves on the red carpet of the Italian premiere Nope at The Space Cinema Moderno Roma in Rome, Italy, on July 23, 2022 (Credit: Anna Maria Tinghino / DDP / INSTARim / Cover Images)
Her response was the classiest! She defended her impressive career and didn’t tear down Zendaya because there’s no need to.
Both women are successful in their own right. Palmer became a household name when she played the titular role on the Nickelodeon show True Jackson, VP. In addition to Nope, she’s also starred in movies like Hustlers, The Longshots, and Akeelah and the Bee.
Keke Palmer in a cropped white bandeau top paired with a black maxi skirt from the Marc Jacobs Fall 2022 Collection at the world premiere of “NOPE” at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 18, 2022, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Zendaya has talked about colorism in Hollywood in the past. The Euphoria star was quoted at an event in 2018, saying she tries to use her privilege as a “light-skinned black woman” to highlight different beauty in the African-American community.
Keke Palmer (left) addresses comparisons to Zendaya (right) as an example of colorism in Hollywood, emphasizing that she shouldn’t be measured against anyone else (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images / Jennifer Graylock)
“I am Hollywood’s, I guess you could say, acceptable version of a black girl and that has to change,” she said. “We’re vastly too beautiful and too interesting for me to just be the only representation of that.”
Keke Palmer is being praised for her performance as Emerald “Em” Haywood in the 2022 American science fiction horror film Nope (Credit: Universal Pictures)
It’s understandable to want to call out injustices when you notice them, but it’s clear that Palmer and Zendaya have equal levels of success regardless of when you believe they both became household names. If nothing else, their IMDb pages speak for themselves.
Before the comparisons to Zendaya went viral, Keke Palmer had already spent years commanding attention with her fearless fashion choices. From high-profile movie premieres to music award stages, her style has always reflected her confident persona and boundary-pushing creativity.
Keke Palmer Turns Heads on the Red Carpet With Bold, Unapologetic Fashion
Keke Palmer slays the pink carpet of the 2016 Billboard Music Awards held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 22, 2016 (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
In May 2016, Keke Palmer demanded attention in a skintight latex dress as she took the stage at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards to introduce Nick Jonas’s band, DNCE.
Keke Palmer flaunts her legs in a maroon latex House of Harlow pencil dress (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
She is known for her bold ensembles, and this House of Harlow pencil dress was no exception.
Made of shiny maroon latex material, Keke’s dress hugged her curves in all the right ways. Spaghetti straps and a cutout chest detail drew attention to her upper half, while a classy and sexy knee-skimming hemline put her legs on display.
Keke Palmer flaunts her curves and Atelier Swarovski flower leaves drop earrings before the 2016 Billboard Music Awards (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
Keke wore her hair in a sassy topknot with choppy fringe, adding some sultry matte makeup to her flawless face to play up her fierce ensemble.
Keke Palmer shows off her feet in Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
She kept her accessories simple, opting for some St. John statement rings and sapphire Atelier Swarovski earrings, letting her wild zebra print sandals steal the show!
The “Scream Queens” star showed off her feet in strappy printed Nudist sandals from Stuart Weitzman. These shoes added several inches of height to her petite 5ft 5 (165.1 cm) frame and created the illusion of longer legs.
These heels are made of a textured material with beige and black zebra stripes. They feature a thin toe strap and adjustable ankle strap. You can check out all the available color hues at Zappos and Nordstrom.
Keke Palmer boosts her height and elongates her legs in zebra-striped Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals, featuring sky-high stiletto heels and barely-there straps (Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
Stepping Into the Spotlight: Keke Palmer’s Iconic Fashion and Footwear Moments
Keke Palmer consistently captivates with her bold fashion choices and impeccable footwear. Explore some of her most memorable style moments:
Winter Wonderland Press Tour: Vivienne Westwood Ensemble
- Event: Special screening of One Of Them Days
- Outfit: Keke dazzled in a pink taffeta “Romeo” corset top paired with steel green “Inferno” corduroy trousers by Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood.
- Footwear: She completed the look with classic white Christian Louboutin pumps, adding a touch of elegance to the edgy ensemble.
- Read more: Keke Palmer’s Winter Wonderland Press Tour Looks
NAACP Image Awards: Tom Ford Tuxedo Elegance
- Event: 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards
- Outfit: Keke embraced a menswear-inspired look with a white dinner jacket, black bowtie, and wide-leg trousers by Tom Ford.
- Footwear: She paired the ensemble with black Dolce & Gabbana pumps, balancing femininity and classic tailoring.
- Discover more: Keke Palmer’s NAACP Image Awards Fashion Statement
Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic: Etro Maxi Dress
- Event: 2021 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic
- Outfit: Keke stunned in a flowing animal print Etro maxi dress, cinched at the waist with a statement belt.
- Footwear: She elevated the look with black platform heels, adding height and sophistication.
- See her look: Keke Palmer’s Etro Ensemble at the Polo Classic
BET Awards: Alon Livné Metallic Dress
- Event: 2014 BET Awards
- Outfit: Keke turned heads in a futuristic Alon Livné dress featuring bold metallic detailing and daring cutouts.
- Footwear: She complemented the avant-garde dress with white Saint Laurent “Janis” pumps, adding a sleek finish.
- Explore her style: Keke Palmer’s Bold BET Awards Fashion Choice
These fashion moments highlight Keke Palmer’s fearless approach to style and her ability to make a statement with every step.