Old Keke Palmer video with R. Kelly sparks renewed outrage [VIDEO]

Keke Palmer Video With R. Kelly Resurfaces Online With Plenty of Outrage

A resurfaced video of Keke Palmer sitting on R. Kelly’s lap in a studio setting is gaining traction online, stirring intense debate and backlash. The footage, originally posted to Palmer’s Snapchat in 2017, shows the actress smiling and speaking enthusiastically about the R&B singer, calling him one of her “favorite people in the world.”

The video clip, which also includes Palmer praising Kelly’s creative energy and work with young artists, has sparked fierce reactions across social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter). Critics are revisiting the moment in light of R. Kelly’s criminal convictions and Palmer’s later condemnation of his actions following the release of the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries.

“Y’all act like Keke Palmer wasn’t in the studio sitting on R. Kelly lap and posting him on her Snapchat story,” wrote one user, reposting the video with over 1 million views in under 12 hours.

The Video: Context and The Caption

In the video, Palmer is seen seated on R. Kelly’s lap, recording on her phone as she praises his talent and the inspiration she feels in his presence. She says, “I wish everybody could be in a session with Kells because it’s the most inspiring [expletive] on the planet,” while Kelly smiles beside her.

“Just the fact that he actually invests time… that’s honestly probably the best thing I’ve learned from any of my inspirations or mentors,” she continues.

Palmer captioned the video: “@Rkelly – Too Chicago. Always family. #southsiillllde #muddville.”

The clip, light-hearted and celebratory in tone, was posted prior to the public explosion of legal action and widespread allegations against Kelly.

Keke Palmer’s Public Response to R. Kelly Allegations

The video’s resurgence has many questioning how Palmer transitioned from calling R. Kelly a mentor to publicly condemning him. Following the release of Surviving R. Kelly in 2019, Palmer addressed the controversy in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“I am hurt and saddened because R. Kelly repeatedly took advantage and that I cannot accept,” she wrote. “I will stand by my sisters because that’s simply what’s right.”

Palmer later stated she cried for an hour after watching the documentary series, which detailed disturbing allegations of sexual abuse, manipulation, and psychological control.

“It was eye-opening, painful, sad, disappointing,” she said. “You were a friend to me, but then I’m seeing you as a foe to others, and I’m hurt for them.”

Backlash and Twitter Reactions

X users quickly took to the platform to voice their thoughts:

“Keke no…” wrote @PunksWorldd.

“She apologized in 2019. She was stupid just like the rest of us not believing the stories,” said another user. “Y’all give Black women no grace here.”

Some defended Palmer by pointing out the video’s 2017 timestamp—before most of the public accusations had come to light—and highlighted her later advocacy for survivors and young women in the industry.

“She trusted R. Kelly at the time. Like many others. But she did the work and stood by survivors later,” noted one post.

Palmer’s Complicated Relationship With the Music Industry

Palmer has spoken candidly over the years about the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry, especially as a young Black woman. From early roles in Akeelah and the Bee and True Jackson, VP to her transition into adult stardom through Hustlers and Nope, Palmer’s path has been marked by both acclaim and adversity.

She’s repeatedly expressed how industry pressure nearly made her abandon music altogether.

“I really allowed them to steal my joy and love for something right from under me,” she told People. “That was the biggest heartbreak of my life.”

In 2017—the same year the R. Kelly video was recorded—Palmer also publicly accused singer Trey Songz of “sexual intimidation.” In that situation, she said she was filmed without consent for a music video.

From Mentor to Foe: A Difficult Realization

In her own words, Palmer once viewed R. Kelly as a creative mentor and personal friend. Her tone in the resurfaced Snapchat story is warm and admiring. However, Palmer later described her emotional reckoning when learning about the extent of Kelly’s abuse.

“I felt like, man, you were a friend to me, but then I’m seeing you as a foe to others,” she said in a follow-up interview. “And I’m hurt for them.”

Palmer emphasized the importance of naming the harm done: “When you name the demons in your life, then you can eradicate it.”

What the Internet Is Saying Now

As the clip continues to circulate, the internet remains split. Some say the video is proof of Palmer’s early allegiance to Kelly, while others point to her growth and activism since.

“She was 23 or 24 in that video. R. Kelly hadn’t been convicted yet. It’s easy to judge with hindsight,” wrote one commenter.

Others were less forgiving:

“You can’t praise someone like that then act shocked years later. It’s giving PR cleanup.”

The debate underlines the broader tension around how to handle past behavior in a post-#MeToo era—especially from figures who later take a stand against abuse.

Palmer Today: Advocacy and Empowerment

Now in her 30s, Keke Palmer is using her platform to elevate young voices and challenge industry norms. In 2024, she launched DivaGurl, a girl group designed to offer aspiring artists safe and empowering representation. She’s also helmed her own record label to ensure a healthier experience for the next generation.

Additionally, Palmer has her KeyTV platform and her podcast. She uses both to give a voice to the people.

Final Thoughts: A Complex Past in the Spotlight

The resurfaced R. Kelly video is a snapshot from Keke Palmer’s past—one that’s difficult for fans and critics alike to reconcile with her outspoken advocacy today. But the debate it has reignited reveals the long shadows cast by abusive power structures in the entertainment industry.

Whether the clip serves as a cautionary tale or an example of personal growth remains a subject of public discussion. But one thing is clear: Palmer’s journey—from early mentorships to painful reckonings—mirrors a much larger story about fame, trust, and accountability.