Keke Palmer Praises Queen Latifah As She Joins Her Fox Series ‘Star’

If you’re looking for an all-around star to fawn over, then look no further. Keke Palmer is that, and so much more.

The actress/singer/dancer started her way towards the forefront of entertainment industry when she was only 10 years old and her first acting role was released into the world. That gig happened to be that of playing the niece to one Queen Latifah in the 2004 film “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.”

Palmer has since gone on to star in her breakout movie “Akeelah and the Bee” in 2006, the exceptional Disney Channel movie “Jump In!” with Corbin Bleu in 2007 and her own hit series on Nickelodeon, “True Jackson, VP” from 2008-2011. All the while she also got to use her incredible voice to put out a debut album, featuring songs that were before its time and not fully appreciated, at 13 years old.

But after accomplishing so much so early on in her career, Palmer remains modest and appreciative of where she got her start and who has helped and encouraged her along the way. Legend Queen Latifah was, and is, one of those people.

“Queen! Words cannot describe who this woman has been to me,” Palmer wrote alongside two photos of Queen Latifah she posted to her Instagram account on Thursday. “I met her when I was just 9 yrs old on a set. The first thing she said to me was ‘Don’t eat that prop food!’ then seconds later told one of the PA’s ‘get this baby some food.’”

And apparently that was the start of a beautiful friendship and mentorship between the two talented women.

“Since then she has wrapped me in her arms and showed me what it is to be a woman in charge of her life/career,” Palmer continued. “She showed me how to create my own projects, how to be limitless, how to maintain respect and how to build a legacy for the generations coming after me. She has always encouraged me and supported my work ethic, when no one was watching SHE WAS and that has meant more to me than anyone can imagine.”

It’s clear to see the connection the two have, as eight years after “Barbershop 2” premiered, the two reunited onscreen for the musical film “Joyful Noise” in 2012, where they played mother and daughter. It was a touching film, which showcased both of their acting chops as well as their outstanding vocal abilities.

Now the two are set to reunite onscreen once again as it was announced on Wednesday that Palmer has been cast for a recurring role on the girl group-centered Fox series “Star,” which Latifah stars in. She’ll play Gigi, a show-off musician who’s just looking for someone to realize she means business, on the Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy co-created series.

This also marks Palmer’s return to Fox after portraying Zayday Williams on the Ryan Murphy series “Scream Queens” for two seasons from 2015-16. But “Star” on Fox isn’t her only upcoming role. The 24-year-old infinite-threat can also be seen on Epix’s “Berlin Station” in the role of April.

Palmer shouldn’t be the only ones thanking Latifah for her encouragement because we’re also the ones who have gotten a lot from it. We’ve gotten countless movies and shows from Palmer, not to mention hilarious tweets and social media videos, YouTube singing videos, motivating Snaptchat videos and bomb music.