Actress Keke Palmer’s memoir Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative will be out on November 19, 2024. The book includes tales from her time during the Ryan Murphy-directed show Screen Queens, where she played Zayday Williams. As per a report by Entertainment Weekly, Plamer claimed that an unnamed white actor from the show once made a racist remark.
In the book, Keke Palmer refers to that person as ‘Brenda,’ claiming her attempt to ease tension between Brenda and another coworker by suggesting that everyone should try to "have fun and respect each other." Brenda reacted by snapping back, “Keke, seriously, just stop. Who do you think you are? Martin Luther King?”
After Keke Palmer's comment went viral, social media users made assumptions about who the real Brenda could be. As seen from multiple X posts, netizens pointed fingers at Lea Michele while others speculated Emma Roberts as the person.
In June 2020, after Lea Michele posted a tweet supporting Black Lives Matter, actress Samantha Ware replied that Michele had previously threatened to undermine her if given the opportunity. As per reports, Ware wrote,
“I believe you told everyone that if you had the opportunity you would ‘sh*t in my wig!’”
A look into Lea Michele’s apology amidst Keke Palmer’s statement
Michele offered an apology for her past actions in 2020, though she denied any claims of racism or transphobia. Speaking to The New York Times in 2022, Lea Michele expressed that she fully recognized the significance of being a true leader, which went beyond performing well on camera to include one's conduct off-camera.
Samantha Ware was among the stars who criticized Michele’s behavior on the set, calling it unprofessional. She shared that Michele made her first TV experience “a living hell” and caused her to reconsider her career in Hollywood.
Ware also mentioned that Michele had remarked “sh**ting in her wig,” along with other microaggressions that were traumatic for her. Amber Riley and Alex Newell, two other Black cast members from Glee, voiced their support for Ware.
Riley later expressed in an Instagram live that while she didn’t want to label Michele as "racist," she hoped Michele had matured and gained a better understanding of her past behavior.
Michele responded that she did not recall making the specific comment Ware referred to and denied ever judging others based on race or background. However, she acknowledged that her actions had hurt others and explained that her privileged perspective or immaturity may have contributed to her behavior.
What happened between Keke Palmer and Ryan Murphy?
While speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Keke Palmer explained that although the racist comment was heavy, she chose not to let it affect her, confident in her self-identity. She purposely avoided naming the coworker to prevent the remark from holding any power, saying she refused to adopt a victim narrative. Keke Palmer asserted that she didn’t care what the costar said.
Palmer recalled an incident with Ryan Murphy where he reportedly reprimanded her over a scheduling issue. She had planned a separate work commitment on what was initially scheduled as her day off, only to be later told she was needed back on set.
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When she honored her prior obligation, it led to an angry phone call with Murphy, which she described as feeling like a meeting in the “dean’s office.” He expressed surprise and disappointment in her choice, to which she apologized, thinking it resolved the matter.
However, days later, a costar hinted that things weren’t fully settled, telling her the situation was bad in a way Keke Palmer felt was meant to intimidate her. Reflecting on the experience, she believed it may have ended her chances to be a regular collaborator with Murphy. In her memoir, she noted that although Murphy prioritized his business, she also viewed herself as a business, whether they work together again or not.
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