STYLE EVOLUTION

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

by Brooke Marine
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Keke Palmer  attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropo...
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Morning, kids! That’s a Keke Palmer-ism, for the uninitiated. The actor-singer-dancer-talk show host has always had the gift of gab, but her sense of style has certainly grown up along with her. Over 15 years ago, Palmer was just a tween shouldering the burden of mid-aughts red carpet glam, but now she’s a full fledged couture chameleon who isn’t afraid to take fashion risks when the occasion calls for it. From the days when every look she wore had an element of sparkle, to her more recent obsession with a low-cut neckline, Palmer has worn it all. She now favors brands like Roberto Cavalli and Carolina Herrera and has a special penchant for New York-based Sergio Hudson. Likely, she gets her taste from her Nickelodeon days as the Vice President of a fashion label on True Jackson, VP and now, as a movie star, hitting the red carpet for her films like Hustlers, Lightyear, and Nope. Below, take a look back at Keke Palmer’s best red carpet moments from Akeelah and the Bee to now.

2023: Fragrance Foundation Awards

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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.

2023: Met Gala

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

2023: Big Boss Premiere

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

2023: New York Film Critics Circle Awards

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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.

2022: Michael Kors Show

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

2022: Governors Awards

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

2022: CFDA Fashion Awards

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

2022: Nope UK Premiere

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

2022: Nope Premiere

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

2022: BET Awards

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

2022: Lightyear Los Angeles Premiere

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

2021: Met Gala

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

2020: MTV Video Music Awards

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

2019: Time 100 Next

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

2019: Hustlers Premiere

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

2019: MTV Video Music Awards

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

2016: American Music Awards

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

2016: VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens

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

2016: Billboard Music Awards

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

2016: GLAAD Media Awards

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

2016: Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards

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

2016: People’s Choice Awards

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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.

2015: Teen Choice Awards

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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.

2015: Vanity Fair Oscar Party

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Palmer kept things fairly simple for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting to wear this chic, white Stella McCartney gown.

2014: Emmy Awards

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

2014: BET Awards

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Palmer showed off the unique cut-outs on this white and gold Alon Livné mini dress at the 2014 BET Awards.

2013: NAACP Image Awards

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

2012: Kids’ Choice Awards

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

2011: BET Awards

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

2011: Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards

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

2010: Teen Choice Awards

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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.

2009: MTV Movie Awards

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

2009: NAACP Image Awards

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

2007: Critics’ Choice Awards

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

2006: Akeelah and the Bee Premiere

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

2005: NAACP Image Awards

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

2005: Screen Actors Guild Awards

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

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