Keke Palmer recalls Will Smith's advice that changed her life at 17

At 17 years old, Keke Palmer was grappling with the pressures of childhood fame considered emancipation from her parents. But a surprising voicemail from Will Smith gave the actress a fresh perspective.

Palmer opened up about this pivotal moment during an interview on The Toast podcast while promoting her book, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative.

After speaking with her lawyer, who recommended therapy over legal action, Palmer's desire for emancipation had made its way around Hollywood. One day on set of True Jackson, VP, she received a call from an unfamiliar number. Hesitant to answer, Palmer later discovered the voicemail was from none other than Will Smith.

In his message, Smith, who was filming 2010's The Karate Kid with his son Jaden at the time and had talked to Palmer’s lawyer, offered wise words that would shape Palmer’s decision. "Hey, Keke. It’s Will… I want you to know sometimes it’s hard being the first, but you’ll get through. Just keep staying focused, love on your family, and y’all gonna be good."

Palmer eventually chose not to seek emancipation, realising that her struggles were part of her journey.

Reflecting on the pivotal advice, she added, “This was like a difficult thing for me that I felt meant that I had to throw my family away. But I always had… a good community… that would encourage community and not like dissension and us breaking apart.”