Actress Keke Palmer has filed a restraining order against ex boyfriend Darrius Jackson. She is additionally seeking full custody of their child, eight-month-old Leodis. The order comes months following a controversy in which Jackson publicly shamed Palmer for an outfit she wore to an Usher concert. The documents allege that Jackson was emotionally and physically abusive towards Palmer throughout their two year relationship.
The actress claimed that she has security footage from Nov. 5 that depicts when Jackson “trespassed into my home without my knowledge or consent” and “threatened” her before “lunging for my neck, striking me, throwing me over the couch and stealing my phone.”
The documents further allege “many instances of physical violence” with her now ex-boyfriend that include “destroying my personal property, including diaries and prescription eyeglasses, throwing my belongings into the street, throwing my car keys to prevent me from driving away, hitting [me] in front of our son, spewing profanities about me to our son, threatening to kill himself with a gun if I left him, harassment, and other physical and emotional abuse.”
Where It All Began
When photos and videos of Palmer at an Usher concert wearing a black leotard under a sheer dress emerged, Jackson tweeted a thread of now-deleted statements shaming her for her outfit this past summer. The thread attracted mass criticism of Jackson. Some even accused him of being jealous of Usher. One now-removed Tweet read “We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is.”
Keke Palmer’s partner, Darius Daulton Jackson, seemingly shames her: “it’s the outfit tho.. you a mom.”
Even though Keke has not publicly addressed Darius’ comments, she did subtly reference his tweets in a post of her own: "I wish I had taken more pictures." pic.twitter.com/7ZkMpTruwj
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) July 6, 2023
Palmer had initially responded by sharing more photos of her time at the concert, and even collaborated with Usher on a music video for his song “Boyfriend.” While fans of the actress had flagged Jackson’s response for what they felt displayed controlling and allegedly toxic tactics, the music video had viewers confident that the couple must have worked through the situation privately.
8.16 https://t.co/Jojm5kViQo pic.twitter.com/PMwEZ1hGZo
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) August 15, 2023
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Following Ushergate, the pair were seen at Beyoncé’s Los Angeles concert stop on her “Renaissance” tour. In the months since Jackson’s public shaming of Palmer, the actress alleges the abuse worsened.
Social Media Support
Fans of Palmer and survivors of domestic abuse alike are sharing words of solidarity for the actress amid the difficult lawsuit.
If I ever see Darius on the street pic.twitter.com/Zn98f3J0gD
— 🟣XΞPHIROX🟢 (@XephiroX_) November 10, 2023
Many wished her well in gaining full custody of her son.
Those public utterances from him weren’t normal so can’t say I’m surprised. Hopefully she gets justice and full custody.
— Ewurama Folake (@Owusuivy) November 10, 2023
Others remind young X users that Jackson’s first response to her outfit was a telltale sign of alleged abuse and manipulation, and to look out for such red flags in their own relationships.
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And THIS was the family y’all wanted her to stay in sooooo much???? Like his response to her just having fun wasn’t enough of a sign.
— 𝐒𝐮𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚🕊️❥𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖓✰ᵇᵘⁿⁿʸ✰ (@Suvarna_17) November 10, 2023
The Nov. 5 security footage is yet to be released to the public.
