Keke Palmer denies being let go from US talk show over Black Lives Matter activism

Keke Palmer has dismissed claims that she was let go by ABC for speaking out in support of Black Lives Matter.

In June, the Hustlers actor and former Nickelodeon star was videoed asking members of the National Guard to stand with demonstrators at a protest against the death of George Floyd.

However, after her role as a co-host on ABC talk show Strahan, Sara and Keke was terminated, rumours began to circulate on the internet that Palmer had been removed for being too outspoken in her activism.

Addressing these comments, Palmer shared a tweet to her Instagram account on Sunday (19 July) that read: “Ain’t it weird how Keke Palmer was protesting and preaching to the police about Racism in our country then ABC decides to cancel her show.”

In response, Palmer captioned the post: “I want to speak on this simply because I hate the narrative that if you speak your mind as a black person that you will in some way be punished.

“I have seen this going around and at first I ignored but in this climate I realised this is a dangerous message to send to our generation and the generation coming up. If anything my speaking out showed the corporations I work with how important my voice is and anyone that has a POV.”

Palmer insisted that her relationship with ABC and parent company Disney had “evolved” rather than “died”, adding: “I hate talking about business… but when I see such fear mongering comments, I want to speak out so that no one ever feels or thinks that speaking out will cost them their job! I’m sure it can and has before, but let’s also recognise when it has not. That way more of us with our own minds speak out against any injustices we see.”

 

 

 

 

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I want to speak on this simply because I hate the narrative that if you speak your mind as a black person that you will in some way be punished. I have seen this going around and at first I ignored but in this climate I realized this is a dangerous message to send to our generation and the generation coming up. If anything my speaking out showed the corporations I work with how important my voice is and anyone that has a POV. The reality is I was never signed to “SSK” as one would a seasonal show. This business is dynamic and instead of thinking of me as a “series regular” see me see me as a brand that works with the corporation Disney/ABC News and this particular show I was on is no longer. That does not mean the relationship I have with them dies, that means it evolves. I hate talking about business because it can seem a bit weird and gets quite technical lol. But when I see such fear mongering comments I want to speak out so that no one ever feels or thinks that speaking out will cost them their job! I’m sure it can and has before, but let’s also recognize when it has not. That way more of us with our own minds speak out against any injustices we see. Trust me, walking in my truth has always made my blessings OVERFLOW and connect to those that are like minded and not with those that are not. Do not believe this lie. Stay courageous and stay true because GOD HAS YOU ALWAYS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by BIG BOSS 🔑🔑 (@keke) on Jul 18, 2020 at 12:40pm PDT

Palmer originally joined Strahan, Sara and Keke as a guest host in April 2019 before coming on board as a permanent presenter in August of that year.

She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for her work on the series alongside Michael Strahan and Sara Haines in May 2020.