Keke Palmer says the comparisons between herself and Zendaya are “a great example of colorism.”
After a now viral tweet noticed that the actresses “were both child stars, but their mainstream popularity is very different,” the star of “Akeelah and the Bee” responded to the statement.
“A good example of colorism is to believe I can be compared to anyone,” tweeted the 28-year-old from Illinois. “I am the youngest talk show host ever. The first black woman to star in her own show on Nickelodeon, and the youngest and first black Cinderella on Broadway.”
Palmer called himself an “incomparable talent”, adding: “Baby, THIS, is Keke Palmer.”
The “Turn Up With the Taylors” alum concluded,,I’ve been a leading lady since I was 11 years old. I have over 100 credits and am currently playing in an original screenplay that is the number one movie at the box office #NOPE. I’ve had a blessed career so far, I couldn’t ask for more, but God continues to surprise me.”
While Zendaya, 25, has yet to tackle the viral tweet, she did discuss colorism in Hollywood at BeautyCon 2020, calling herself the “acceptable version of a black girl” in the industry.
The “Shake It Up” alum said, “As a black woman, as a light-skinned black woman, it’s important that I use my privilege, my platform, to show you how much beauty there is in the African American community.
“We’re far too beautiful and interesting for me to be the sole representation of that,” the “Euphoria” star continued at the time. “What I’m saying, it’s about creating those opportunities, sometimes. You have to create those paths.”
Palmer shared her support for Zendaya’s career in a June 2014 tweet after the Californian was born to play the late singer Aaliyah in a Lifetime biopic, a role she later turned down.
“Support the young people coming up, all of you,” Palmer wrote amid controversy. “Zendaya is perfect for Aaliyah. Stop playing.”
Zendaya explained via Instagram the following month that her departure from the project “had nothing to do with the haters,” saying, “The production value wasn’t there.”