Keke Palmer marked her 26th birthday with a standout red-carpet moment at the 2019 MTV VMAs—an early glimpse of the confident, high-glam fashion identity she would continue to refine in the years that followed.
Born in Harvey, Illinois, on August 26, 1993, the multi-hyphenate star used the occasion to showcase a bold, shimmering look that still ranks among her most memorable VMAs appearances.
Keke Palmer lights up the 2019 MTV VMAs red carpet in a curve-hugging, crystal-encrusted gold Yousef Aljasmi gown paired with a playful brick-phone clutch at the 2019 MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 26, 2019 (Credit: WENN / Avalon / Ivan Nikolov)
The 26-year-old Hustlers actress donned a sequin-embellished gold Yousef Aljasmi Swarovski gown and matching gold Betty platform sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Turning to reveal the gown’s dramatic back slit, Keke shows off her towering metallic Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals
She added bling with a retro cellphone clutch bag by Judith Leiber. Do you think it’s big enough to carry an iPhone?
Keke playfully poses with her Judith Leiber brick-phone clutch, fully beaded in Austrian crystals
Fully beaded in the finest Austrian crystals, her clutch bag in classic brick phone silhouette is also available in silver.
Gold Judith Leiber Call Me Brick Phone Clutch Bag, $5,695
Silver Judith Leiber Call Me Brick Phone Clutch Bag, $5,695
Keke Palmer’s Gold VMAs Look in Context: Her Ongoing Love of Bold, Sculptural Footwear
Keke’s shimmering VMAs appearance wasn’t just a standout birthday moment—it was part of a larger style trajectory that’s defined by fearless color, high-wattage glamour, and her signature devotion to platform heels.
From red carpets to film festivals, the actress consistently turns to sculptural Giuseppe Zanotti designs and other statement-making styles that highlight both her height and her unapologetically bold fashion identity.
Below, we’ve rounded up her best footwear moments and the celebrity-loved Zanotti silhouettes that continue to shape her look.
👠 Explore Keke Palmer & Giuseppe Zanotti’s Best Shoe Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’5″ (165.1 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 9, Keke often gravitates toward sculptural Giuseppe Zanotti platforms and crystal-studded heels.
- 💎 Keke’s dazzling TIFF moment featuring a high-impact Roberto Cavalli gown and crystal-embellished Zanotti “Ellie” sandals.
- 🚀 The iconic “Betty” platform roundup highlighting how Bella Thorne, Camila Cabello, and Lupita Nyong’o style Zanotti’s tallest, boldest heels.
- 👑 Taylor Swift’s 2023 Grammys look where her $3 million Roberto Cavalli gown was paired with refined Zanotti “Betty” platform sandals.
- ✨ Inside Giuseppe Zanotti’s luxury empire exploring the designer’s rise and signature silhouettes like the “Harmony,” “Venere,” and “Cruel.”
- 💖 Keke’s Winter Wonderland press tour heels including vintage Dior, pink Louboutins, and Tom Ford knee-high boots.
- 🤝 The Giuseppe Zanotti x Jennifer Lopez collaboration featuring crystal booties, metallic platforms, and snakeskin gladiators.
- 🌟 Jessica Alba in gold Zanotti “Betty” platforms styled with a sleek pinstripe jumpsuit for a polished ’70s-inspired look.
- 👠 Keke’s platform evolution tracing her rise to style-icon status through bold footwear like metallic Bally “Clarine” platforms.