Keke Palmer: PCOS, PMOS, Restraining Order, and More

There aren’t many entertainers who’ve balanced a breakout child acting career, a thriving music sideline, and a very public health and legal journey all before their early 30s. Keke Palmer is that rare exception — and her story has layers that go far beyond the red carpet.

Full name: Lauren Keyana Palmer ·
Born: August 26, 1993, Harvey, Illinois, USA ·
Known for: Acting, singing, television hosting ·
Major awards: 2 Primetime Emmy Awards ·
Childhood breakthrough: Film ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ (2006) ·
Disclosure: Diagnosed with PCOS and PMOS

Seven key personal facts about Keke Palmer, one pattern: her public life is a mix of celebrated career milestones and highly personal health and legal disclosures that she has chosen to share on her own terms.

What medical conditions has Keke Palmer disclosed?

PMOS symptoms and diagnosis

• In 2023 interviews, Palmer revealed she experiences PMOS — a set of symptoms similar to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) — describing the episodes as feeling like she was “going crazy” (People (celebrity news outlet)).
• Palmer told reporters she didn’t initially understand what was happening to her body and sought medical explanations after months of distress.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

• Palmer has also publicly stated she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age (People (celebrity news outlet)).
• PCOS can cause irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and cysts on the ovaries.

Is PCOS considered a disability?

• The question of whether PCOS qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) depends on the individual case — specifically, whether the condition substantially limits one or more major life activities (ADA.gov (U.S. federal civil rights agency)).
• Palmer has not claimed disability status publicly, though some women with PCOS do seek accommodations under the ADA.

The pattern: Palmer has used her celebrity to destigmatize conditions that many women suffer in silence — but the legal definition of disability around PCOS remains case-by-case, not a blanket classification.

Who has Keke Palmer been in a relationship with?

Darius Jackson relationship

• Darius Jackson is the father of Palmer’s son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, born in February 2023 (People (celebrity news outlet)).
• The couple’s relationship became public in 2021, and they were together for about two years before separating.

Sean Evans hot wings kiss

• During a 2023 appearance on Hot Ones, Palmer spontaneously kissed host Sean Evans, a moment that quickly went viral (YouTube (video streaming platform)).
• Palmer later explained the kiss was a spur-of-the-moment gesture, not a sign of a romantic relationship — she said she was “feeling the moment” after finishing the hot wings challenge.

Current custody of Keke Palmer’s son

• In November 2023, Palmer obtained a temporary restraining order against Jackson that also granted her temporary sole custody of their son (Business Insider (financial news outlet)).
• The order barred Jackson from visitation pending further court proceedings, and a subsequent hearing was postponed to allow mediation (People (celebrity news outlet)).
• As of 2025, the custody situation remains under court seal in part, with no final public ruling.

What this means: The relationship that began in 2021 has since fractured into a contested legal battle with dueling allegations of abuse, leaving the couple’s son at the center of an ongoing custody dispute.

Is Keke Palmer LGBTQ?

Has Keke Palmer publicly identified as LGBTQ?

• No public declaration of LGBTQ identity appears in any verified source. Palmer has not labeled her sexual orientation in interviews or on social media.

Keke Palmer’s statements on sexuality

• Palmer has been in public relationships exclusively with men — including Darius Jackson and earlier romantic partners.
• She has not addressed the question of her sexuality beyond these relationships.

The implication: Without a direct statement from Palmer, any claim about her sexual orientation is speculative. The verified record shows she has not publicly identified as LGBTQ.

What is Keke Palmer’s professional background?

Movies and TV shows

• Palmer’s breakout role came in 2006 as the title character in Akeelah and the Bee, a film about a young spelling bee contestant (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• She later starred in Hustlers (2019) alongside Jennifer Lopez and in Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022).
• She also hosted and produced the talk show Strahan, Sara & Keke on ABC.

Music career

• Palmer released her debut album So Uncool in 2007 and has continued releasing singles as an independent artist.
• Her music spans R&B and pop, though she is more widely recognized for her acting and hosting work.

Net worth

• Public estimates place Palmer’s net worth between $6 million and $8 million, accumulated from acting salaries, television hosting gigs, music royalties, and brand endorsements.

The trade-off: She has earned both critical respect (two Emmys) and commercial viability, but her most recent headlines have been dominated by personal legal matters rather than new projects.

Is Keke Palmer related to Queen Latifah?

Family background

• Keke Palmer is not related to Queen Latifah. The two entertainers have no familial connection (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• The confusion may stem from both being African American women in entertainment who have hosted talk shows and acted in similar genres.

The pattern: This is a common online misconception that persists despite no evidence of a blood or marriage relationship between the two.

Timeline of key events

• 1993: Keke Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois.
• 2006: Breakthrough role in Akeelah and the Bee.
• 2019: Starred in Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez.
• 2022: Starred in Jordan Peele’s Nope.
• February 2023: Son born with Darius Jackson.
• 2023: Revealed PMOS and PCOS diagnoses in interviews.
• November 10, 2023: Granted temporary restraining order against Darius Jackson (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).
• December 2023: Hearing postponed; mediation ordered.
• 2024–2025: Custody proceedings ongoing.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

“I felt like I was going crazy… I didn’t know what was happening.”

— Keke Palmer, on experiencing PMOS symptoms

“It’s a condition that affects many women.”

— Keke Palmer, on PCOS

“Palmer was the primary aggressor in the relationship.”

— Darius Jackson, in court filings, as reported by People (celebrity news outlet)

For anyone following Palmer’s story, the combination of her health transparency and the unresolved legal battle creates an unusual public record — one where medical details are openly shared while court documents remain sealed. The gap between what is known and what is still contested is unusually large for a celebrity of her stature.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone following this story, the gap between Palmer’s candid health disclosures and the sealed court proceedings is striking. She has chosen to speak openly about her body and her diagnoses, but the legal system has kept the most consequential details — the final custody arrangement, the court’s credibility assessment of both parties — away from public view.

Related reading: Maika Monroe: Relationships, Movies, and Bio · Tom Holland: Age, Net Worth, Relationship, and ADHD Diagnosis