You've seen her since she was a kid in Akeelah and the Bee. You've watched her dominate the internet with memes, host talk shows, and basically become "the internet's best friend." But there is one question that keeps popping up in every Google search bar and Twitter thread: who is Keke Palmer married to? The short answer? Nobody.
Keke Palmer is not married. Honestly, she has never been married. Despite the public fascination with her personal life and the very loud arrival of her son, Leodis, Keke has remained a single woman—by choice and by circumstance.
The Darius Jackson Era and the "Baby Mama" Narrative
Most of the confusion about Keke's marital status stems from her high-profile relationship with fitness instructor Darius Jackson. They started dating around June 2021 after meeting at a Memorial Day party. It seemed like a match made in heaven. She even called him her "closest friend."
By late 2022, Keke dropped the massive news during her Saturday Night Live monologue: she was pregnant.
- People immediately assumed a wedding was next.
- Social media trolls started the "baby mama" talk because she wasn't wearing a ring.
- Keke, being the "Big Boss" she is, didn't care.
In her 2025 album Just Keke, she actually addresses this. She talks about the reclamation of her own narrative. She wasn't "unmarried" because she was waiting for a proposal; she was living her life on her own terms. She’s been very open about the fact that she doesn't believe a marriage certificate defines the success of a family.
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What Really Happened With Darius?
The relationship turned sour—fast. Most of us remember the "Usher concert" incident in 2023. Darius publicly shamed Keke for wearing a sheer outfit to see Usher perform in Las Vegas, tweeting, "It's the outfit tho.. you a mom."
The internet collectively lost its mind.
That moment was the beginning of the end. By October 2023, they were done. What followed was a messy legal battle. Keke filed for a domestic violence restraining order and temporary sole custody of their son, alleging some pretty serious "out of control" behavior.
Fast forward to early 2026, and things look different. They’ve settled their legal disputes. They are co-parenting. Darius has even been seen at the zoo with Keke and Leo. But make no mistake: there is no secret marriage here.
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Is She Dating Anyone Now?
If you've been on TikTok lately, you might have seen a new name: PlaqueBoyMax.
In January 2026, Keke basically broke the internet (again) by appearing on a livestream with the 22-year-old streamer. She shared a post of them looking extremely cozy, even kissing him on the cheek, with the caption: "I think I’m in love."
Is it serious? Is it a bit? With Keke, you never fully know until she wants you to know. She’s mentioned in recent interviews, specifically her Marie Claire cover story, that she’s looking for a "Steve Urkel" or "Stedman" type—someone who isn't intimidated by her success.
Why Her Marital Status Still Matters to Fans
People are obsessed with Keke's "husband" status because she’s been our little sister in our heads for twenty years. We want her to have the "fairytale," but Keke is busy building an empire.
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She recently told People that she feels "fabulous" and "hot" and loves being pursued, but she isn't in a rush to settle down just to satisfy a traditional timeline. She is Lauren Keyana Palmer first, and a partner second.
Actionable Insights for Fans Following the Drama
If you’re trying to keep up with Keke’s status in 2026, here’s how to separate the facts from the "stan" rumors:
- Check the source: If it’s not from her podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer or her official Instagram, take it with a grain of salt.
- Listen to "My Confession": Her 2025 track explains the Vegas incident and the breakup better than any tabloid ever could.
- Respect the "Lauren" boundaries: She’s been asking fans to call her by her birth name, Lauren, more often lately. It’s part of her journey in setting boundaries between her public persona and her private life.
Keke isn't married, and honestly, she’s thriving. She is proof that you can be a mother, a mogul, and a "Big Boss" without needing a spouse to validate the title. Whether she stays single or eventually finds her "Stedman," she’s clearly the one holding the pen for her own story.