How a voicemail from Will Smith helped Keke Palmer’s Hollywood career

Keke Palmer is grateful for this man –Will Smiththat is.

The Nickelodeon alum recently shared that she considered emancipating from her parents at 17 while working as a young Hollywood star. However, she changed her mind after an unexpected phone call from Hitch actor who gave her a ring while she was on set for True Jackson, VPwhich ran from 2008 to 2011.

“I get a call from this really, really obscure number,” Keke shared on the Nov. 19 episode of The toast podcast. “And I’m like, ‘What? That’s weird, I’m not answering this.'”

After losing the call, No actress – who shares a son Leodis21 months, with Darius Jackson— realized she had a voicemail from Will, who encouraged her to come through after hearing about her situation from her lawyer.

“Hi, Keke. It’s Will,” Keke said while mimicking the Oscar winner. “”We’re over here making The Karate Kid with (my son) Jade. I just want to let you know that I have spoken with (your lawyer). He told me everything you go through and I want you to know sometimes it’s hard to be the first but you will get through. Just stay focused, love your family and you’ll be fine.”