Actress Keke Palmer on Rags and Ice Age 4: Continental Drift
Photo: Ed Araquel/Nickelodeon1/5Can you describe the plot of Rags?
"It's a classic Cinderella fairytale with a twist. A man plays the Cinderella character, and I play the prince character. I'm actually a hip-hop princess! There's a huge music element to the film, and the songs have a Rihanna and Beyonce-esque feel. People always see the Cinderella story in that same way, and it's fun to change it up and flip it on its head."
Photo of Keke and costar Max Schneider (Ed Araquel/Nickelodeon)2/5What music do you like to listen to?
"I like pop, R&B, and rap. Recently, I've been listening to Brandy's new single, 'Put It Down.'"
Are you releasing any of your own music?
"I'm getting ready to put out a mix tape. Once I put out my two singles, the complete mix tape will come out."
Photo of Keke and costar Max Schneider (Ed Araquel/Nickelodeon)3/5How do you juggle your career, school, and your personal life?
"I'm a workaholic, so I ignore the signs of fatigue and just keep going and going, and then conk out when I get home. It can be pretty stressful. It's a lot of work, and you're adjusting to a different lifestyle when you're a child in the entertainment business. The role that you have to play is usually played by adults. It can be mentally hard, but you work hard, get through it, and develop your own way of handling it."
Photo: PR Photos4/5Are you into fashion? Which designers and stores do you like?
"I love clothes! I shop everywhere, but I like Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. It's a wide range. I'm from California, and I love the Pasadena Flea Market."
Photo: PR Photos5/5What projects do you have lined up?
"I'm going to be in an independent film called Virgin Mary. It's a great script, and I'm excited to film it. I'm also in Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, and I play Peaches. It comes out in July. It's such a huge franchise, and to be part of that is awesome. I recorded my voice over a span of two years. Peaches is a really fun, cool character—she's the daughter of Queen Latifah and Ray Romano's characters."
Do you have a dream role?
"I definitely want to play someone who's inspired me. I would love to play Aaliyah; it would be personal because I love her so much."
