Keke Palmer Channels Princess of China for JJ Spotlight Series (Exclusive Pics)

Keke Palmer has playful moment with chopsticks in this exclusive new pic from the latest edition of the Just Jared Spotlight Series.

The 20-year-old actress stars in the upcoming movie Animal, which is a horror flick set to hit theaters and VOD on June 17. Be sure to check out the movie, which is being produced by Drew Barrymore‘s Flower Films. Jeremy Sumpter, Elizabeth Gillies, Parker Young, Amaury Nolasco, and Paul Iacono co-star in the film.

Keke also has an exciting new talk show show titled Just Keke coming to BET, which will air directly after the network’s long running hit 106 & Park. The show makes Keke the youngest talk show host in television history!

Just Keke premieres on BET June 30th At 5 PM ET/PT.

Click inside to read our full exclusive interview with Keke Palmer…

Keke Palmer Interview – JustJared.com Exclusive

Just Jared: You have a million projects going on! Let’s start with “Animal”, the music video looks great! How did that all come about?

Keke Palmer: Thank you so much! They were looking the theme song for the movie and I wanted to be a part of it any way I could, especially as a musician. So I found the song “Animal” and I thought it would be great. Not only just because the song’s name is “Animal” but also because it’s what the movie’s about – talking about a creature and playing off the theme of love. “You’ve turned me into someone else,” so I kind of thought it would be fun. So I presented it to them and they dug it as well.

JJ: Describe your co-stars in one word. Liz Gillies.

KP: Liz? What’s the word I’m looking for? Spunk!

JJ: Parker Young.

KP: Sweet.

JJ: Jeremy Sumpter.

KP: Infectious.

JJ: Paul Iacono.

KP: Hilarious.

JJ: What was your favorite scene to film?

KP: We’re on a bridge so you can kind of see us looking over the edge, and looking at the trees. I’m holding Jeremy’s hand and he and I have a secret romance moment, and then the others are out in front. I always kind of liked that moment because it was a very nice day, serene, fun, natural and easy to film. I love acting with Jeremy because he’s so, we had great chemistry, so it was a lot of fun.

JJ: Is he a good kisser?

KP: He… Yeah, he was, he was, he was. (laughs)

JJ: Do you have a favorite prop from set?

KP: If I say my favorite prop, you guys obviously would know the movie. (smiles) But I’ll say for now, my favorite props were our walkie talkies.

JJ: Do you have any favorite memories from auditioning, doing press for the movie, etc?

KP: Definitely my favorite thing about the movie was getting to meet Becca Simmons, who is Brett Simmons’ wife. He’s the one who directed the film. She and I literally became best friends. And I hate that she lives in the O.C. because it’s hard for us to see each other, but she is the sweetest person ever. I love her, that was the best part for me.

JJ: Your talk show, Just Keke, project number two, how did that all come about? Is that a dream come true for you?

KP: Yes! After I did True Jackson, VP, I was thinking if I could do a TV show again, it would definitely be a talk show. It just so happened that Judge Mathis came up to my dad at a premiere and asked my dad, “I think Keke would be kinda good for a talk show. If that’s something you guys are interested in, I know some people at Telepictures, I have a deal there. If that’s something she’s interested in, call us up.” For there to be commercials playing, it’s kind of unbelievable to me because I felt like I was literally walking in a dream the whole time everything was happening.

JJ: What’s the format of the show?

KP: Different. I don’t know how to put it into words. It’s definitely a talk show of today’s kind. We’ll have social media, throwback Thursdays, memes, hot topics, everything’s a part of the show. The audience is a big part of the show, they get to control the music on my show. I will have celebrities on talking and stuff like that, but when I do have celebrities on, it’s going to be something fun and unique. Not just asking questions and things like that. Actual activities that I’ll be able to do that’s specific to what they do. I really want my show to involve a lot of my peers that aren’t in the industry too and confront their issues.

JJ: Do you have a dream guest that you want to have on the show?

KP: Rihanna! She’s my favorite. She’s my favorite girl, and I would love to have her on. Maybe she doesn’t do everything that is “supposed to be right.” But I think that’s just what we admire – she represents individualism. She represents somebody being one hundred percent themselves, not apologizing for it, not telling you you should do it too. But she represents someone, a woman, doing her one hundred percent and not being afraid of that. And that’s what I love.

JJ: Are you recording other music on the side as well?

KP: Yes, definitely recording music a lot in Atlanta. Really excited, putting together an album. Nothing just yet that anybody can hear, but I’m working hard. I know I always tell my fans that. Everyone’s like, “Keke, you been saying that for the last few years.” But it takes time. Music is definitely a different beast than acting is, but I’m really looking forward to the end of this year being a time where I can really release some new music.

JJ: Do you know what direction/sound the music is going in?

KP: Yeah, definitely like R&B. Definitely R&B, which has always been me.

JJ: You turn 21 years old soon, how are you going to celebrate?

KP: We’re thinking about maybe going on a cruise. My best friend really wants to go to Turks and Caicos so we can ride the horses in the water!

JJ: Do you have any other fun summer plans coming up?

KP: My best friend is from New Orleans so we always go out and visit there. Or Chicago where I’m from, because it’s slower pace than, even though LA is pretty chill, it doesn’t have an industry aspect to it and it’s not very fast paced. It’s kind of slow and chill. I can kind of just live.

JJ: What’s your regular hangout spot in New Orleans?

KP: We always hang out at Maw Maw’s, my best friend’s grandma. We always drive around the seventh ward. I got a tattoo there! We go eat at Park’s, Park’s Po-boys or something like that. We love getting po-boys from there, catfish po-boys, so much fun. We go to over by the water, which you shouldn’t get in. (laughs)

JJ: Who’s your favorite person to follow on Instagram?

KP: My favorite person to look at on Instagram is Beyonce, and was Rihanna too but she deleted her Instagram page. But I used to love looking at Beyonce and Rihanna’s stuff because I just like seeing what they’re wearing and you know, I just love them a lot.

PHOTO SHOOT CREDITS (PICTURES BELOW) �”�”

Picture 1: Sass & bibe top, Roseark earrings, Jacquie Aiche ring

Picture 2: Creatures of Comfort top and skirt, Robert Clergerie shoes, Roseark jewelry

Pictures 3 & 5: Voom by Joy Han kimono, Isabel Marant shoes, LaQuan Smith shorts, Hue socks, Style Studio Services earrings.

Picture 4: Zimmerman top, LaQuan Smith visor

Producer/Interview: Jared Eng (@JaredEng)
Photographer: Justin Campbell (@JustinCampPhoto)
Stylist: Marissa Joye Peden (@marissajoye)
Hair: Jamika Wilson (@JamikaWilson)
Makeup: Agostina (@Agostinamakeup)