How Keke Palmer Went From “VP” to VIP on the Red Carpet
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.
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 to wear this chic, 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 showed off the unique cut-outs on this white and gold Alon Livné mini dress 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, mini 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.
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