Actress Keke Palmer is teaming up with Usher for his latest music video for his song “Boyfriend.” Palmer has built a name for herself on her sense of humor and bold style. The actress recently welcomed her first child with boyfriend Darius Jackson. Months after beginning her new motherhood journey, Palmer stepped back into the public eye at an Usher concert. The actress wore a black leotard under a sheer dress, and was serenaded by Usher near the stage.
When photos and videos of Palmer at the show emerged, 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 and Usher’s collaboration comes in direct response to this controversy.
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
Her outfit wasn't even bad. @KekePalmer deserves someone who is gonna lift her up , not tear her down. I just think Darius Jackson was jealous of Usher ????????
— FlowerGirl????????????????️ (@two2_cents) July 6, 2023
The Backstory
In reaction to Jackson’s criticisms, which many dubbed as misogynistic, Palmer shared more photos of the infamous outfit on her Instagram account.
View this post on Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
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's bf f*cked up so bad it got Jonah Hill exposed. pic.twitter.com/iojyASEFUz
— @Baker-Bone (@BakerBone) July 10, 2023
“Boyfriend” Featuring Keke
Keke Palmer is featured on the cover art and in the music video for Usher’s new track “Boyfriend.” Palmer’s appearance coupled with the song title is sending shockwaves across social media, with many applauding her apparent response to the July controversy surrounding Jackson’s comments.
8.16 https://t.co/Jojm5kViQo pic.twitter.com/PMwEZ1hGZo
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) August 15, 2023
The pointed response to Jackson’s criticisms has many X users turning to the meme-ability of the whole situation.
usher and keke leaving the studio:
— ᴊᴏɴɴʏ ᴊᴜᴋᴇʙᴏx????️???? (@JONNYJUKEBOXX) August 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Fans of the singer and actress feel that the track and video were a positive way to take back control of the situation.
My favorite genre of choosing violence! Take the news & rumors and flip it right on its head for a music video, ABSOLUTELY! ???????? pic.twitter.com/LmBDcvdrqR
— ɳick ????????♂️ (@Creat1ve) August 15, 2023
Some joke that Usher is an “evil genius” for using the situation to market his music.
This is evil genius type marketing.
— Steven (@bloggerstevenb) August 15, 2023
Women feel that Keke’s appearance proves that the actress continues to fight misogyny on a public level.
a live visual of me supporting Keke Palmer circling the block to remind her baby daddy that his misogyny towards her was so unserious/classless by starring as a VIDEO GIRL IN USHER’S VIDEO ????????: pic.twitter.com/mQaEBi0TBv
— ???????????????????? ???????????????? (@TheCourtKim) August 15, 2023
Others are circulating an old video of Usher performing at NPR’s “Tiny Desk” concert series.
Keke Palmer after her “boyfriend” threw a fit over the concert dress
pic.twitter.com/2HUq6wMgIY https://t.co/1MxOJ8OkQp— Danny (@dannywontmiss) August 15, 2023
The Commentary
Some feel that Palmer’s response to the shaming will encourage other women to speak out about mistreatment from their partners sooner.
That's the part they don't get. He intentionally brought it to the internet to humiliate her.
— KayTheZuluGworl (@KayTheZuluGworl) August 15, 2023
The song and video will drop tomorrow on YouTube and streaming platforms. Neither Usher nor Palmer have commented further on the Darius Jackson situation at this time.
