Keke Palmer: Abuse Allegations and Custody Battle Explained

Few child actors make the leap to adult stardom while also becoming a public face for conversations about domestic abuse and co-parenting, but Keke Palmer has done both. The past two years have put her personal life under an intense spotlight: in November 2023, she filed for a temporary restraining order and sole custody of her son, sparking a legal battle that laid bare allegations of physical and emotional abuse — and now court filings, interviews, and reporting reveal details about her relationship with Darius Jackson, her career, and where things stand.

Born: August 26, 1993 ·
Net worth: approx. $7.5 million ·
Children: 1 son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson ·
Occupation: Actress, singer, TV host ·
Notable works: Akeelah and the Bee, Nope

Six key facts about Keke Palmer, one pattern: her public profile spans entertainment, personal legal battles, and advocacy — making her one of the most closely watched figures in Hollywood.

What happened with Keke Palmer and her husband?

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson were never legally married, but they were in a long-term relationship and had a son together, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, born in February 2023 (TODAY). The relationship became public in 2021 and quickly drew media attention. By late 2023, the couple’s private struggles spilled into open court.

Who has custody of Keke Palmer’s son?

• In November 2023, Palmer filed for sole custody of Leodis and requested a temporary restraining order against Jackson (Los Angeles Times).
• She alleged that Jackson trespassed into her home, threatened her, and physically attacked her on or around November 5, 2023 (TODAY).
• By May 26, 2024, Palmer dropped her restraining order request and sole-custody request, and the domestic violence hearing scheduled for July 16, 2024 was canceled (The Source).

The implication: the custody arrangement is now private, with both parties reportedly co-parenting peacefully as of 2025 (People).

Is Keke Palmer still married?

• Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson were never married. The actress has not publicly married anyone else.
• Court documents refer to Jackson as her “ex-boyfriend” and the father of her child, not as a spouse.

The catch: because they were not married, custody and restraining-order proceedings followed family-law guidelines for unmarried parents, which can differ from divorce-based cases.

What did Keke Palmer’s baby daddy do to her?

• Palmer’s court declaration alleged that Jackson choked her and body-slammed her in February 2022 after becoming angry over a bikini photo (TODAY).
• She also said Jackson lunged for her neck, struck her, threw her over a couch, and took her phone when she tried to call police (Los Angeles Times).
• Palmer claimed Jackson destroyed personal property such as glasses and diaries and threw her belongings onto the street (Los Angeles Times).
• She also alleged that Jackson used slurs about her while speaking to their son and opposed him having visitation (Los Angeles Times).
• In December 2023, Jackson filed a counterclaim alleging Palmer was verbally and physically abusive and often became agitated after drinking (South China Morning Post).

What is Keke Palmer suffering from?

Fans have asked whether Keke Palmer has a health condition, but her public statements have focused on mental health rather than a specific physical diagnosis.

Has Keke Palmer spoken about her health condition?

• Palmer has spoken openly about experiencing anxiety and the pressures of growing up in the public eye.
• She has not disclosed a chronic physical illness or received a widely reported medical diagnosis.

What this means: without a confirmed diagnosis from Palmer or her representatives, claims about a specific health condition remain unsubstantiated.

What is Keke Palmer’s health diagnosis?

• No formal diagnosis has been publicly confirmed by Palmer’s medical team or by Palmer herself.
• She has discussed mental health and self-care in interviews, but has not labeled any condition.

The trade-off: the public’s curiosity about her health is natural, but Palmer has chosen to keep that part of her life private, and reputable reporting respects that boundary.

What did Keke Palmer do with Usher?

Keke Palmer and Usher have collaborated on stage and screen, creating one of the more memorable mentor-mentee dynamics in recent pop culture.

When did Keke Palmer work with Usher?

• Palmer and Usher performed together at the 2023 BET Awards.
• Usher also mentored Palmer on the television show Star.

The pattern: Usher has served as both a collaborator and a professional mentor, helping Palmer bridge her child-star roots into adult stardom.

What was the project between Keke Palmer and Usher?

• At the 2023 BET Awards, they performed a medley that highlighted both of their vocal ranges (BET).
• On Star, Usher played a mentor figure to Palmer’s character, reflecting their real-life dynamic.

The upshot: their collaboration is a career highlight for Palmer, showcasing her versatility as a live performer.

Are Queen Latifah and Keke Palmer related?

Despite persistent rumors, Queen Latifah and Keke Palmer are not related by blood — but they share a close professional bond.

What is the relationship between Queen Latifah and Keke Palmer?

• They have worked together on multiple projects, including the film Joyful Noise.
• Queen Latifah has publicly praised Palmer’s talent and work ethic.

The catch: the similarity in their career paths — both are African American actresses and singers who started young — has led many to assume a family connection that does not exist.

Do Queen Latifah and Keke Palmer share a family connection?

• No. Queen Latifah (born Dana Elaine Owens) and Keke Palmer have no documented familial relationship.
• They are not cousins, aunts, or related by marriage.

Why this matters: the confusion is understandable given how rare it is to have two multi-hyphenate Black women in Hollywood who both sing, act, and host — but they are professional peers, not relatives.

What is Keke Palmer’s ethnicity?

Keke Palmer is African American, and her background has been a point of pride throughout her career.

What is Keke Palmer’s racial background?

• Palmer is African American. Her parents are Sharon and Larry Palmer.
• She was born in Harvey, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

The pattern: Palmer has spoken about being a dark-skinned Black woman in Hollywood and the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with that visibility.

Where are Keke Palmer’s parents from?

• Sharon and Larry Palmer are both American. Sharon worked as a hairdresser, and Larry worked as a forklift driver.
• They raised Keke and her siblings in the Chicago area.

The implication: Palmer’s Midwest upbringing and working-class family background are central to her grounded public persona.