Keke Palmer Covers ‘ESSENCE’ With Her New Look

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Keke Palmer has taken over the cover of ESSENCE magazine for the January issue, highlighting her much more grown up look.

The former child star, who captured our hearts in Akeelah and the Bee, is now all grown up and that is clear. On the cover of the latest issue of the magazine, Palmer shows off a short pixie cut while wearing a punk rock chic-inspired ensemble.

2014 was a standout year for the 21-year-old actress. After starring as Chili in VH1’s very successful 2013 biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Palmer began to make life changing strides in her career.

In the interview, Palmer talks about making history twice this year by becoming the youngest talk show host with her day time show Just Keke and being the first African-American to take the role of Cinderella on Broadway.

“I know that the role of Cinderella is primarily for a Caucasian girl, but it didn’t stop me from going in and it didn’t stop them from seeing me,” says Palmer. “There is a bit of intimidation. You think about Denzel, Viola Davis, and you think, only great people can do Broadway. That was the scariest thing about it, but I’m the type who thrives on pressure.”

And her history making for the year doesn’t stop there. She is now the youngest person to appear solo on the cover of ESSENCE.

Life isn’t all about career moves for the young star though. In the interview, she also got a little personal when discussing the revelation she had as a newly single lady.

“What you’re ready for, you attract. So I think I have to do some introspection on why I’m attracted to people that can’t give me what I want…Maybe I’m not as ready for a serious thing as I think I am. The guys I end up getting involved with, they’re into the idea of me, but they really can’t handle what I’m about…”

What a great revelation to have at such a young age.

For more from Palmer, pick up the January 2015 issue of ESSENCE on newsstands now.

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