How Keke Palmer Went From “VP” to VIP on the Red Carpet

Palmer’s crystal-embellished Gucci gown—with a gaping back cutout and thigh-high slit—was the main event at the 2026 BET Awards.

For the Met Gala’s “Costume Art” theme, the star gave new meaning to monochrome in a head-to-toe crimson look—complete with a red pixie and a custom Prabal Gurung gown.

Palmer mastered the art of pelvic cutouts in this jewel-toned velvet Gucci gown.

Bridalcore meets ballroom extravagance in this couture Miss Sohee gown with a matching white feathered shawl.

Embellished with gilded sequins and gauzy tulle, this vintage Chanel minidress served a maximalist moment at the 2025 BET Awards, where Palmer was nominated for Best Actress.

In honor of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, Palmer paid tribute to Dorothy Dandridge in a four-piece Vera Wang ensemble, complete with a frothy bustle, slim-fitting trousers, and a crisp white collar.

Palmer dipped into some iconic archives for this ab-baring cream dress from Versace’s spring 2004 collection—first worn by Cristina Aguilera in the aughts.

Is it a shirt? Is it a dress? It’s Balmain, and it’s both. The trompe-l’oeil design put a playful twist on the wardrobe classic, complete with a crisp collar, a visible tag, and a gold brooch.

Palmer stunned in an archival Chanel gown with opera gloves and gold detailing at the neckline. She amped up the Old-Hollywood glamour with a bold red lip and her side-swept bob in buckled curls. The most iconic detail? This dress was first worn by Jamie Lee Curtis in the ’80s.

In keeping with the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme, Palmer donned a custom Marc Jacobs gown adorned with frayed beading and sequins.

Palmer was decidedly dapper in a Tom Ford tuxedo, complete with a cummerbund, a floppy black bowtie, and a red rose boutonniere. To complete the vintage aesthetic, she carried a cane as an accessory.

The actress kept things simple and entirely chic for the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards in a plunging slip-style gown from her frequent collaborator Sergio Hudson.

Palmer looked regal for the 2023 Met Gala in a strapless Sergio Hudson tweed dress and billowing train.

Letting her wild side run free, Palmer went with an animal print jumpsuit from Roberto Cavalli for the Big Boss premiere.

Before winning the award for Best Supporting Actress, Palmer shined on the red carpet in this bump-baring Michael Kors number for the 2023 New York Film Critics Circle Awards.

Palmer brought the sunshine in this canary yellow knit dress and coordinating overcoat to Michael Kors’s spring/summer 2023 show.

Palmer opted for a tiered wine-red Robert Wun gown for the 2022 Governors Awards.

The actress bloomed in this billowing floral gown and coordinating knee-high boots by Carolina Herrera for the 2022 CFDA Awards.

Palmer certainly made a statement for the UK premiere of Nope in this lace Valentino number complete with feather detailing at the waist.

The Nope premiere called for a standout look, so Palmer grabbed this ensemble right off the runway from Marc Jacobs’ fall 2022 collection.

Palmer wore a low-cut Conner Ives patchwork dress to the BET Awards.

Palmer wore this colorful David Koma look from the designer’s pre-fall 2022 collection to the Lightyear premiere.

Channeling Diana Ross, Palmer attended the 2021 Met Gala in a shimmering Sergio Hudson dress with long sleeves and an open back.

For the remote 2020 MTV VMAs, Palmer hosted in a light blue Area mini dress.

Wearing a mini Cong Tri Spring 2020 dress with an attached train, Palmer attended the Time 100 Next event in November 2019.

Palmer showed off a whole lot of leg in this crystal-covered Roberto Cavalli dress at the Toronto Film Festival’s premiere of Hustlers.

Wearing a bright yellow Yousef Aljasmi Swarovski-embellished gown, Palmer attended the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.

Palmer embodied her inner Rihanna in this completely sheer silver Natalie Fedner set at the 2016 AMAs.

Looking like a Klimt painting, Palmer stepped out at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors event in this strapless gold dress from Baja East.

Palmer wore this House of Harlot knee-length latex dress with a keyhole cutout to the Billboard Music Awards.

This sheer lace Thai Nguyen dress stole the show at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards.

Wearing the color of the night, Palmer attended the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards in an orange leather midi dress from Alessandra de Tomaso.

Going for a darker, romantic vibe, Palmer wore a cropped lace, off-the-shoulder top and black column skirt by Yousef Al-Jasmi to the 2016 People’s Choice Awards.

Color-blocking was all the rage around 2015, so this pink, black, and white mini dress from Giulietta was the perfect choice for the Teen Choice Awards.

Palmer kept things fairly simple for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting for a white Stella McCartney gown.

The actress, who played Cinderella on Broadway, looked very much like a Disney princess in this royal-blue mermaid gown.

Palmer embraced unexpected cutouts on this white-and-gold Alon Livné minidress at the 2014 BET Awards.

Palmer has proven her love for blue over the years; here she wore this Naven halter dress in a gorgeous cerulean.

This purple Marco Marco dress with a skirt made of large rosettes was the perfect look for the Kids’ Choice Awards.

You can tell Palmer was feeling herself in this silver mini Mandolo dress.

Palmer looked adorable in this one-shoulder, sequin-covered Ina Soltani mini dress at the 2011 Kids’ Choice Awards.

It’s clear the actress loved some sparkle back in the day, which is why it’s no surprise she opted for this crystal-encrusted Collette Dinnigan mini dress for the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.

Wearing a coral pink Matthew Williamson mini dress, Palmer attended the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Palmer looked angelic in this pleated Camilla and Marc mini dress at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards.

A 14-year-old Palmer looked adorable in a simple black dress at her first-ever Critics’ Choice Awards.

Palmer attended the premiere for her breakout film, Akeelah and the Bee, in this lace-covered strapless gown with a bow around the waist.

Palmer attended her first NAACP Image Awards in this white silk dress with a silver sequined belt.

Palmer was just 12 years old when she wore this pink silk dress with a matching hair bow to the 2005 SAG Awards.