Keke Palmer Cast As Broadway’s First Black ‘Cinderella’
Keke Palmer will soon have some big glass slippers to fill.
On Monday, the teen actress was cast as the lead in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, making her the first African-American in the role.
According to Vanity Fair, Keke heard the news on Friday and did not know how to react.
“I don’t really celebrate,” Keke told Vanity Fair. “And besides, I still don’t believe it is real!”
Later, it appears the news sunk in for Keke, when she tweeted:
I’m sooooo excited to be doing broadway for the first time, as Cinderella!! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!! Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) August 4, 2014
The 20-year-old said she had always hoped to make Broadway, and has a soft spot for the Cinderella story. The fairy tale has seen many adaptations over the years, including Disney’s classic animated film and a 1997 TV adaptation with R&B singer Brandy in the main role.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein revival hit Broadway in March 2013 and has since had a number of actresses in the lead role. According to E! News, songstress Carly Rae Jepsen played Cinderella from April to June 2014.
Keke told Vanity Fair that she is ready to hit the stage:
“Thinking about that [audience] gives me energy. Seeing that many people in the audience, who you can’t recognize, that’s what excites you and gets you pumped.”
Keke is already planning her career, post-Cinderella. She told Vanity Fair that she hopes to snag more movie roles and possibly write a book:
“I don’t know how exactly I would do that but I have so many experiences I would like to share. I’ve been keeping journals since I was 13. I have about five of them now. And I’d love to somehow incorporate those journal entries in the book.”
Keke has made a quick ascent in Hollywood since her first major role in Barbershop 2: Back To Business. Counting Queen Latifah as her mentor, Keke went on to roles in Akeelah and the Bee, Madea’s Family Reunion, and Joyful Noise. On TV, Keke starred in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, and has recently scored smaller roles on Masters of Sex and The Trip to Bountiful.
Earlier this year, Keke became the youngest talk show host in U.S. network history with her BET show Just Keke.
In July, an interview on her show re-ignited a spat between Chris Brown’s ex-girlfriends. As reported in the Inquisitr, Keke’s interview with Karrueche Tran created a social media feud between Tran and Rihanna.
Keke later told The Huffington Post why she scheduled the controversial interview:
“I want to give my generation everything they’re asking for… I feel like this was a specific thing that a lot of people were curious about. They were curious to hear what Karrueche had to say.”
Keke managed to keep above the mud-slinging and proved that she is no talk show light weight.
Just Keke’s summer test run is over, leaving Keke with four weeks to rehearse for Cinderella. She will make her debut on September 9 at New York City’s Broadway Theater.
[Image source: Keke Palmer’s website]
