Keke Palmer reacts to an uncomfortable proposal from a fan during SXSW
Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on March 14, 2026, 1:14 PM
Keke Palmer can say "Nope" with ease. During a panel discussion at the South by Southwest Festival on March 13, a male fan knelt down to ask the Hustlers actress for her hand in marriage. Despite this, she remained composed and gave a typical Keke response.
In a video that TMZ was able to obtain, Keke said, "I can't marry you," in response to the proposal while seated onstage with her I Love Boosters co-stars. “I don’t know you. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, sir.”
Although the crowd was laughing at Keke's comments, the conversation soon became serious when Keke inquired, "Is this a prank?" in disbelief.
Keke's co-stars Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, and Eiza Gonzalez were clearly surprised onstage during the awkward moment as the fan continued to kneel at the foot of the stage while holding a ring.
The One of Them Days star's security crew and event personnel eventually led the man out of the venue.
“Sorry guys, let’s just take a deep breath,” Keke stated. “Much love to you, brother.”
The 32-year-old said, "We're back," after reorganizing.
The awkward incident occurs weeks after Keke, who is the mother of a 3-year-old kid named Leo with her ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, discussed a sensitive aspect of her love past: the "inappropriate" age gap relationship she had while appearing in True Jackson, VP.
“I’m fifteen, why was my boyfriend 20?” prior to her guest Demi Lovato's comment on the March 3 episode of her Baby, this is Keke Palmer podcast, Keke stated, “Why was my boyfriend 30?”
https://youtu.be/2xq9M6lX2Is?si=q6wd72IVchVKdu3q
“Girl, damn,” Keke remarked. “I’m not smiling at that but that is real. We were trying to find outlets, though, and just a way to process this.”
The Alice star, now in her 30s, recognizes the mistakes of her former flame.
“The moment when you realize and you get [to] the age of a lot of people that were around you and doing stuff,” she continued, “it’s almost a mental break that can happen because you realize, ‘You were taking advantage. Oh, I was being exploited.’”
The two talked about how their early experiences as child actors gave them a greater feeling of adulthood.
“That was very difficult for me because at 15, I’m thinking like, ‘My boyfriend’s older because I’m doing an older job. And I’m doing a bunch of things, and this is the way that it is.’” Keke clarified. “And it seemed normal in my mind.”

Keke Palmer can say "Nope" with ease. During a panel discussion at the South by Southwest Festival on March 13, a male fan knelt down to ask the Hustlers actress for her hand in marriage. Despite this, she remained composed and gave a typical Keke response.
In a video that TMZ was able to obtain, Keke said, "I can't marry you," in response to the proposal while seated onstage with her I Love Boosters co-stars. “I don’t know you. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, sir.”

Although the crowd was laughing at Keke's comments, the conversation soon became serious when Keke inquired, "Is this a prank?" in disbelief.
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Keke's co-stars Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, and Eiza Gonzalez were clearly surprised onstage during the awkward moment as the fan continued to kneel at the foot of the stage while holding a ring.

The One of Them Days star's security crew and event personnel eventually led the man out of the venue.
“Sorry guys, let’s just take a deep breath,” Keke stated. “Much love to you, brother.”
The 32-year-old said, "We're back," after reorganizing.

The awkward incident occurs weeks after Keke, who is the mother of a 3-year-old kid named Leo with her ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, discussed a sensitive aspect of her love past: the "inappropriate" age gap relationship she had while appearing in True Jackson, VP.
“I’m fifteen, why was my boyfriend 20?” prior to her guest Demi Lovato's comment on the March 3 episode of her Baby, this is Keke Palmer podcast, Keke stated, “Why was my boyfriend 30?”
“Girl, damn,” Keke remarked. “I’m not smiling at that but that is real. We were trying to find outlets, though, and just a way to process this.”
The Alice star, now in her 30s, recognizes the mistakes of her former flame.
“The moment when you realize and you get [to] the age of a lot of people that were around you and doing stuff,” she continued, “it’s almost a mental break that can happen because you realize, ‘You were taking advantage. Oh, I was being exploited.’”
The two talked about how their early experiences as child actors gave them a greater feeling of adulthood.
“That was very difficult for me because at 15, I’m thinking like, ‘My boyfriend’s older because I’m doing an older job. And I’m doing a bunch of things, and this is the way that it is.’” Keke clarified. “And it seemed normal in my mind.”
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