Keke Palmer on Being a Pilates Instructor, Her Three-Year-Old Son Leo & Buying an Airstream Trailer

0:00 Our first guest tonight is an Emmy-winning actor who was

0:03 named one of Time 100's most influential people of 2026.

0:07 And it's only April.

0:08 Her new movie is called I Love Boosters.

0:10 It opens in theaters May 22nd.

0:12 Please welcome Kiki Palmer.

0:30 HEY,

0:33 what a great audience.

0:34 Very good to see you.

0:35 Well, they're excited to see you.

0:36 I'm I'm impressed that you're here because you have so many jobs.

0:40 Maybe like a Ryan Serest level number of professionals.

0:43 Oh my gosh.

0:44 Yes.

0:44 I live for it.

0:45 Love Ryan.

0:46 Acting, singing, hosting, television shows, um, author, podcast host,

0:53 Pilates instructor.

0:55 Pilates instru.

0:56 Really?

0:56 A Pilates instructor?

0:57 Really?

0:57 I have a app.

0:58 Practice by Palmer.

0:59 Get into it.

1:02 You do?

1:02 Yes.

1:04 Wow.

1:04 Can I ask you a very dumb question?

1:07 Yeah.

1:07 No, don't.

1:08 No question is dumb.

1:09 This one is.

1:11 What is Pilates?

1:15 Oh,

1:14 I've always wondered what it is.

1:16 Well, Pilates is an exercise practice.

1:19 Basically, it's a little bit similar to yoga, but not really.

1:23 It's a little more active.

1:24 And it was started by a man named Joseph Pilates.

1:27 Very modest.

1:28 That's why he named it after himself.

1:29 I still feel like I don't know what it is though.

1:32 Like it's just it's kind of Is it How is it different from yoga?

1:37 Because you're not as in many as in as many static poses.

1:42 Okay.

1:42 So, you know, you're always kind of moving.

1:44 It's not as intense as what you

1:45 would think of a natural strength training workout.

1:48 A lot of it you can do without any other tools.

1:51 You can do it right on the mat.

1:52 you know, a little ab prep,

1:53 a little planking going on, a little bit of, you know,

1:57 double leg stretch, you know.

1:58 Yeah.

1:58 I don't like any of that stuff, but Yeah.

2:00 Yeah.

2:01 Yeah.

2:01 No, it hurts my stomach.

2:03 It's fun.

2:03 Especially on the reformer.

2:04 I'd love to get you on a reformer.

2:07 I've seen those machines.

2:08 Oh, yeah.

2:08 I maybe sometime I would try it.

2:10 Yeah, I could USE SOME REFORM.

2:13 YES.

2:13 GOOD FOR ALIGNMENT.

2:15 REFORMED.

2:15 Is it called a reformer?

2:16 Cuz it reforms your body.

2:18 I mean, I think I mean that could be true.

2:19 I don't know if that's exactly why,

2:21 but it definitely does get you into alignment.

2:23 And on top of all these things,

2:24 you are exercising, you're working, you have a son.

2:28 Your son is

2:29 three years old.

2:31 He's the best.

2:32 His name is Leo.

2:33 Yes.

2:33 We call him Leo for short.

2:34 His name is Leotis.

2:36 Leotis.

2:36 Yeah.

2:36 It's a very old school vibe.

2:38 Okay.

2:38 All right.

2:38 And um are you having fun with him?

2:40 I assume.

2:41 I'm having the best time.

2:42 Does he do Pilates with you?

2:43 He actually does do Pilates with me.

2:45 It's the cutest thing.

2:46 In the morning, he'll get on the reformer with me

2:49 and then he'll get on the floor.

2:50 He'll try to do a little pushup.

2:53 Okay.

2:52 It's really cute.

2:53 It does sound cute.

2:55 So cute.

2:56 And is he working yet?

2:57 Does he have a job?

2:58 Well, you know, that's what we're working on.

3:00 That's what we're working on because he is very bossy.

3:02 I I think he could be a good little baby director.

3:04 We've never seen that before.

3:05 Oh, he is really director.

3:08 I love I love Doogie Howler, but in the media, you know,

3:12 what movie came out of a three-year-old director would be pretty great.

3:16 Something with monster trucks and spiders.

3:18 Oh, he likes monster trucks and spiders.

3:20 Loves it.

3:20 And YouTube.

3:21 I got to get them off of there.

3:22 Yeah.

3:22 Yeah, you do have to get them off

3:23 of there cuz there's no getting once they're in there.

3:26 That's

3:26 They love the flipping.

3:27 They don't.

3:27 Yes, that's what they want.

3:28 That's what they like the control of going to whatever they want.

3:31 Yes.

3:31 And I think it's probably really bad for their brains.

3:35 Yes.

3:35 And yet we allow it anyway when we want to sleep.

3:37 Well, you know, everything in moderation, including moderation.

3:43 That's That's good.

3:43 I like that.

3:44 Your Now, your mom

3:48 Yes.

3:47 Is she still your manager?

3:49 Your mom?

3:50 Yes.

3:50 She's still a part.

3:51 She's the foundation of the Kiki Palmer business.

3:53 And that's not a problem for you.

3:55 It's not.

3:56 It's not.

3:56 It's not a problem for me.

3:58 Good.

3:58 Good.

3:58 She comes with you everywhere you go.

4:00 She's backstage right now.

4:03 Does she live with you?

4:04 She doesn't.

4:05 But I think that she does feel that my house is her house as well.

4:09 I was actually on the phone with her the other

4:10 day and she's coming up, you know, to to my house and I think there were like

4:13 just trucks blocking the way and she said, "Hold on, Kiki.

4:17 I NEED Y'ALL TO MOVE OUT THE WAY because I NEED TO GET TO MY HOUSE." LIKE,

4:21 "This ain't your house though, Sharon." But I understand if you said,

4:25 "I need to get to somebody else's house." They may say,

4:27 "No, you're not going." You know, exactly.

4:29 This is a good point.

4:30 So, does she make her does she act like it's her house

4:32 when she's in the house or just when she's outside it?

4:35 She does.

4:35 And I think the biggest tale is that, and guys,

4:38 I'm telling you, this is really not my doing.

4:40 She puts pictures, solo pictures of me up in my own house.

4:43 I swear I'm not doing that.

4:45 People come TO MY HOUSE AND THEY'RE LIKE, "WOW,

4:47 WHAT is this selfie picture of you doing up there?" I'M LIKE,

4:49 "MY MOM put that up there because she

4:51 really she has this thing where she's like,

4:52 "Wow, Kiki, look at how much you've accomplished.

4:56 Look at you.

4:57 You remember that?

4:57 You look so beautiful." I'm like, "Mom, why did you put this here?

5:00 It looks like I'm obsessed with myself."

5:03 Do you then take this stuff down?

5:04 You follow?

5:05 I mean, I keep it up because, you know, it's giving the fune.

5:07 So,

5:10 don't mess up a good thing.

5:11 You recently purchased an Airstream trailer.

5:14 Is that to put your mother in or is that

5:18 I literally love this Airstream.

5:19 So, you know, I'm a Midwestern gal.

5:20 I'm from the rural, you know, suburbs of Illinois and I've always love,

5:24 y'all know, we like the little let's go back fishing.

5:26 Get a little sardines out the can.

5:28 in the RV.

5:30 So, I wanted this to go like on a big trip with my family,

5:33 like just, you know, traveling through America.

5:36 And I haven't been able to do it yet because

5:37 I don't know how to hook it up to a car.

5:42 But,

5:42 but you bought it and now you're not allowed to put

5:44 like the family in the trailer while you're driving, right?

5:47 I know.

5:47 So, defeats the whole purpose of the trailer for me.

5:51 I know.

5:51 Cuz it's like I should have actually gotten an RV cuz

5:54 these you can't even ride in them when you're on the road.

5:56 So, it's like we going to be crammed up in the car

5:58 while the RV on with a thing on the back.

5:59 Like, and yet, can I tell you something?

6:01 Because I also have my whole life dreamed of having an Airstream trailer,

6:04 which I do not have, but I did buy an RV

6:07 and it and I couldn't possibly recommend it less.

6:13 What's so bad about it?

6:14 Everything is bad.

6:15 I think we all felt like we were going to be National Lampoon, you know?

6:18 We thought we were going TO BE LIKE, "YAY!" WELL,

6:20 in some ways it's good for the everyone other than

6:23 the person driving it and repairing it every five minutes,

6:27 but if you're the one driving it, which I am guessing you might be.

6:32 Uhuh.

6:32 No.

6:32 Oh,

6:33 NO.

6:33 THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

6:33 I GOT TO FIND SOMEBODY WITH the car and the driver.

6:36 Oh, yeah.

6:36 Well, then you're going to be fine.

6:37 If Yeah.

6:38 If you don't have to drive it, it's fine.

6:40 No, but stick with the Airstream.

6:42 I think it's probably better.

6:43 Yeah.

6:43 I like it.

6:44 And my mom uses it at her office.

6:45 It's right in front of me.

6:46 Oh, she does.

6:46 Oh, yeah.

6:47 I come out there and see her.

6:48 She's like, "I'm just in a I'm just in a trailer." Just in her trailer.

6:53 Just in her trailer.

6:54 That's right.

6:54 Are there pictures of you in the trailer, too?

6:57 Tons.

6:58 And my son.

6:59 Kiki Bombers here.

6:59 Her movie is called I Love Boosters.

7:01 It comes out on May 22nd.

7:03 We'll be right back.

7:06 What's your caller?

7:07 You're not here for me.

7:11 Yo.

7:11 Yo, get the back.

7:14 Oh, Christy.

7:15 Christy, what are your thoughts on the Velvet Gang?

7:17 Christy Smith knows we exist.

7:19 Low class urban With all due respect to urban

7:33 did she just call us urban So early 2000s.

7:38 That is Kiki Palmer and Demi Moira in I Love Boosters,

7:43 which is not about co shots.

7:46 It is uh well explain this is this movie is a crazy movie.

7:50 Please explain what's happening in

7:51 it is so a booster is someone who

7:54 steals clothes and sells them at a discount price.

7:56 So you know it's kind of community service.

7:58 Um and it's Poppy Leu Naomi Aaki Taylor Paige and myself

8:02 and then great people in the cast like Keith Stanfield,

8:04 Don Cheetel, so many uh Demi Moore.

8:07 Don Cheetel is like you wouldn't even know it's Don Cheetel in the movie.

8:11 Even when we got on set we were like I can't wait to meet Don.

8:13 I can't wait to meet Don.

8:14 And they were like, "That's Don." Really?

8:17 It was crazy cuz he really went

8:19 into just an extreme character look for the role,

8:22 which was it's fabulous seeing him in that you you know,

8:24 you'll be like, "Damn, John."

8:26 I can't think of a better compliment than your co-stars not realizing it's you.

8:31 Yes.

8:31 When you're playing a character, he must have been thrilled.

8:34 Yes.

8:34 He's really cool, too.

8:35 And I've always loved him.

8:36 He is principal days.

8:37 That was your first time working with Don?

8:41 Yes.

8:40 Or whoever that was in that.

8:43 Yes.

8:43 First time working with Don,

8:44 first time working with Boots, and what an experience you had.

8:47 Uh, it was fun making the movie.

8:49 It looked like it was fun making making the movie.

8:51 Very fun making the movie.

8:52 The visuals and then also just being with the girls all day.

8:55 You know what I mean?

8:56 So, we were just all gagging, talking, laughing,

8:58 and it was a short shoot, so not a long time.

9:01 You know, we was there for hours and hours.

9:02 It looks really good.

9:03 It looks like you guys spent a lot of time on this movie.

9:06 How short was it?

9:07 I mean, what?

9:08 Maybe like just a month.

9:09 Oh, wow.

9:10 I think I could be wrong.

9:11 Now I see how you're doing all these jobs.

9:13 You did the whole movie in a month.

9:15 Yeah, that is true.

9:16 They've got us on a strict program.

9:18 You have another job.

9:20 Is this tomorrow night?

9:21 You're hosting the

9:22 Billboard Women in Music.

9:23 The Billboard Women in Music.

9:25 Yes.

9:25 I'm looking forward to that.

9:28 Not only are you hosting the show, you're performing at the show.

9:32 Yes.

9:32 I'm so excited because so Boots Boots Riley,

9:35 even before he was directing and writing, he was he's a great musician.

9:38 So he had this idea of us doing this EP that his daughter Alina also wrote on.

9:42 So I get to perform one of the songs text message

9:44 on sent which is on the soundtrack of the EP for the movie.

9:47 What does that mean?

9:48 Text message on sent unsent you know.

9:50 So it's like when you want to say the things

9:52 that you you know to this person that you

9:54 love but you just know it's never going to go

9:57 anywhere so it just stays in a text message unent.

10:00 Now are you nervous about you know about doing

10:02 this about performing because it's quite a lineup you've got there.

10:05 You've got uh I mean really Mariah the Scientist, Levey,

10:09 uh Tate McCrae, Tiana Taylor, a whole bunch of different stars.

10:13 The K-pop demon hunters.

10:15 Oh my gosh.

10:17 TOOK MY HOUSE BY STORM.

10:18 OH, did it?

10:20 Did it really?

10:20 Those Demon Hunters were with us.

10:23 Really?

10:24 Leo likes the Demon Hunters.

10:25 YES.

10:25 THAT THAT ONE tune that it's in my head and they're performing, too.

10:29 Oh, they Yeah, right.

10:30 Yeah, that's Congratulations.

10:32 They got the Academy Award, too.

10:33 Will you bring Leo along with you to the show to see Huntress the Demon Hunters?

10:38 He doesn't want to be there.

10:39 He doesn't want to be there.

10:39 He tells me all the time, "Mama, you bother me." Oh, really?

10:44 I think he gets tired of my life a little bit.

10:45 It's a little too much for him.

10:47 Does he Is he independent?

10:49 Very independent.

10:50 Oh, really?

10:50 Okay.

10:50 Oh, yeah.

10:51 We've just spent a lot of So,

10:52 he goes to school, but just recently we were in Toronto,

10:54 so we're spending like, you know,

10:56 more time than usual because he didn't get to be with his friends.

10:58 When we get back home to LA, he's like,

11:00 "Mommy, I need to go to school by myself." Yeah.

11:04 So, apparently Tik Tok says he has a secure attachment.

11:07 Oh, really?

11:07 You know, so I feel that, you know, we're doing the right thing here.

11:11 You've psycho analyzed him on TikTok.

11:13 And I don't know if that's the right thing, but you know what?

11:14 No, it is.

11:15 They say that's the best way to handle kids.

11:17 They Well, it's great to see you.

11:20 Congratulations on all the stuff and the movie.

11:22 It's called I Love Boosters.

11:23 It's in theaters May 22nd.

11:25 Kiki Palmer.

11:26 Everybody will be back with