Keke Palmer says Darius Jackson breakup helped her discover inner strength while making new album

Keke Palmer’s latest release, Just Keke, is more than a visual album — it’s a deep and personal reflection on love, loss, and self-discovery.

The 31-year-old artist debuted the project on Friday, June 20, bringing together music, visuals, and a variety of show-style segments inspired by her former BET talk show of the same name. With references to icons such as Brandy and Whitney Houston, and guest appearances made by her family and Issa Rae, Just Keke offers a layered portrayal of her recent years, including her split from ex-partner Darius Jackson, who is the father of her 2-year-old son, Leo.

While promoting the album, Keke Palmer opened up to PEOPLE about what she learned while making the project:

“I learned that I'm stronger than I knew I was. Meaning I can endure, I can get on the other side. I can take the small steps.”

She also described the process as one that helped her understand the importance of kindness toward herself, explaining:

“I can have the patience that I need to have with myself, the grace and the compassion to be all that I know I can be.”

READ ALSO: "This one is personal": Keke Palmer reflects on breakup and backlash in raw new song "My Confession"

Reflecting on how major life changes — motherhood, turning 30, and navigating a breakup — all converged at once, Keke Palmer shared:

“Sometimes you don't know. You're like, 'Can I?' And I think I really showed myself a lot of love, a lot of grace and a lot of compassion. And to me, that's strength.”

Palmer and Jackson have since found common ground through co-parenting.

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“Can we actually put Leo first?”: Keke Palmer reflects on co-parenting and finding peace after split with Darius Jackson

Keke Palmer’s new project chronicles her public breakup with Jackson. When asked how she found closure while building a co-parenting relationship, she revealed:

“That’s tough. I say closure has to come from you, but the co-parenting part can go through ebbs and flows. It depends on that person you’re co-parenting with.”

The multi-hyphenated star emphasized that the key for her was focusing on their son, Leo. She expressed:

“But if you make the decision to be good regardless of how they feel, and that your focus is on making sure that you’re in the best position you can be for that baby, it makes things easier. It makes hard decisions easier.”

READ ALSO: Keke Palmer opens up about her breakup and Usher drama in emotional new track ‘My Confession’

Keke Palmer acknowledged that it takes both people showing up for the child:

“Really, it’s about you both being able to be at your best for the baby. If the interpersonal drama becomes bigger than that, well, then they’re not co-parenting. They’re just being selfish.”

That clarity became a central question for them:

“Can we get on the same page? Can we co-parent? Can we actually put Leo first?”

As for closure, Palmer said it meant accepting the reality of what was no longer working:

“I’m okay with that being all that it is. Because I don’t want to be in something that makes me unhappy, or you either.”

She concluded with a broader reflection on love and expectations:

“You can’t make people who you want them to be. You have to accept them for who they are.”

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