Actress Keke Palmer famously clapped back after her boyfriend Darius Jackson publicly criticized an outfit she wore to an Usher concert. Amid rumors of a breakup following the social media interaction, the couple appeared to attend Beyoncé‘s birthday concert in a sea of other celebrities in Los Angles together.
Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson together at the Renaissance World Tour last night. pic.twitter.com/2oyOesVog4
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 5, 2023
The couple recently welcomed their first child together. A few months post-partum, Palmer attended an Usher concert with her friends. When a video of Usher serenading the actress during the concert went viral, Jackson went into critical mode.
Later, photos and videos of Palmer at the show emerged, and Jackson tweeted a thread of now-deleted statements shaming her for her outfit. 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.”
Palmer responded to the controversial claims by sharing more photos of herself in the outfit. The actress went on to appear in Usher’s music video for his song “Boyfriend.” The song’s pointed lyrics served as a direct response to Jackson’s comments, which many slammed for their allegedly misogynistic nature.
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The incident sparked plenty of online discourse surrounding the weaponization of therapy speak, the difference between boundaries and control, and misogyny. Shortly after the incident, actor Jonah Hill faced public criticism for sending controlling messages to ex-girlfriend and pro surfer Sarah Brady regarding her clothing choices as well.
Keke Palmer seemingly throws shade at her ex-boyfriend in Usher's new music video pic.twitter.com/aEjTeAfGz7
— The Messenger (@TheMessenger) August 17, 2023
Social Media Response
Many were disappointed to see the couple back together, after Palmer appeared to stand up for herself amid his harsh criticisms. Her response via music video was widely applauded upon its release several weeks ago.
— •OLAMILEKAN• (@A__Olamilekan) September 5, 2023
Others asserted that the public only sees so much of their relationship, and that Jackson could have apologized in private. Some were glad to see that the pair worked it out, given that co-parenting their young son may be easier this way.
They took us on a ride, I love it. Happier for their son❤️
— Arsenal’s bunny. (@Bubble_minakie) September 5, 2023
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At this point, we all gotta mind our darn business with this woman ????????????
— JemJem (@JemilaEA) September 5, 2023
Elsewhere, some focused on Palmer’s on theme silver look for last night’s concert.
The current It girls of the movie industry (keke palmer, Ayo edebiri, Halle Bailey and zendaya) were SERVING at the Renaissance tour last night! pic.twitter.com/pkiZ1xfIn6
— keke palmer updates (fan account) (@kekeupdate) September 5, 2023
Neither Palmer nor Jackson have confirmed if they are officially back together, or if they ever broke up. Regardless of the situation, it appears Beyoncé unwittingly brought them back together.
