Keke Palmer remembers working on Disney vs. Nickelodeon

Keke Palmer recently reflected on her early career and shed light on her experiences working with Disney and Nickelodeon. During an interview d The toast podcast with Claudia and Jackie Oshry, Palmer highlighted the roles that shaped her rise to stardom.

Keke Palmer reflects on her breakthrough roles

“What put Keke Palmer on the map as boooom was True Jackson, VP. My life changed after that, baby,” the actress shared, crediting her Nickelodeon series as a major turning point.

Palmer also recalled his role in the Disney Channel’s Jump in. Claudia Oshry noted the rarity of actors balancing work with both networks, prompting Palmer to contrast the two entertainment giants.

“Disney is really great when it comes to, not just the storytelling you see on screen, but the storytelling within the company,” Palmer said. “They’re literally like a whole universe, and I think that feels really good when you’re a kid because the magic doesn’t end.”

She explained how Disney creates a sense of belonging among its stars, describing it as an environment where “you feel like, ‘I have to be here.’ It’s something you want to be a part of.”

While Palmer praised Disney for its immersive atmosphere, her experience with Nickelodeon felt more business-focused. Acknowledging the network’s strong financial benefits, she said, “Their pay was really great.” However, the overall environment was different.

“It was kind of like, ‘Come in and get this check.’ It wasn’t about making it necessarily exciting,” she explained.

One standout memory for Palmer involved the network’s signature slime. “We did this big promotional thing and they slimmed me down so many times. I was in my weave time and it was a mess. I’d sit under the dryer for hours just to get slimed again. Baby, I hated that slime it. It was too much.”