Keke Palmer & Darius Jackson are over, ‘he’s moved on’ & focused on his career
James Bradley In early July, Keke Palmer decided that she deserved a girls’ night out. She and some of her girlfriends went to Las Vegas to catch Usher’s new residency. Keke just had a baby in February and she decided to show off her postpartum curves in a slinky, half-sheer dress. She posted photos of her look, and while she was at the show, Usher pulled her up on stage and they did a little sexy duet/serenade and a dance. It was all in good fun. It could have been a happy, positive story about Keke’s bounce-back after welcoming her first child. Unfortunately, Keke’s boyfriend/partner Darius Jackson decided to make an ass out of himself by attempting to mom-shame her or slut-shame her or just neg her into submission. He posted some sh-t about how she’s a mom and he’s the head of house and she shouldn’t go out all caked up to see Usher. It turned into a major thing and people were outraged on Keke’s behalf.
What came next is weird because no one has confirmed anything and no statements were issued. Keke and Darius unfollowed each other but there was also some evidence that they were still together or working on it. I was left the impression that they were probably together but Darius was on notice. Well, apparently not. Apparently, Darius wants it to sound like HE dumped HER.
Darius Jackson may no longer be the “Boyfriend” in question. On the heels of Keke Palmer teaming up with Usher for his new song “Boyfriend,” a source says her estranged partner, fitness instructor and actor Darius Jackson, is making new moves of his own.
“He’s moved on,” a source tells PEOPLE of Jackson, who made headlines in July when he publicly criticized Palmer’s attire on a social media post of the star dancing with Usher as he serenaded her during his Las Vegas residency.
“It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom,” he tweeted in response to photos of Palmer, 29, who wore a sheer dress at the show. Jackson deleted his Twitter account 24 hours later after facing backlash.
The two, who welcomed son Leodis Andrellton in February, have not been spotted together since the incident, though Palmer has kept busy with work engagements.
Neither have addressed the status of their relationship publicly. A rep for Palmer declined to comment.
According to the source, Jackson is focused on an acting career and wants to put the drama behind him. In terms of co-parenting, the pair are making it work, adds the source: “You don’t have to be in the same household to be good parents.”
“You don’t have to be in the same household to be good parents” – so much for Darius being in charge of his household when Keke pays all the bills and it’s her f–king house. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night – toxic masculinity ruins another relationship. Instead of choosing to support and lift up a wonderful woman, this miserable man thought he could neg her down to his level. Disgusting. I hope Keke spends exactly zero minutes on that fool.
As for the Usher music video, it’s cute as hell. Usher is so funny, hiring Keke for this video. Wait until the end too – “I am a mother, after all.” Perfect, no notes.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red, Getty.
- HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – JULY 18: American actress Keke Palmer wearing Marc Jacobs arrives at the World Premiere Of Universal Pictures’ ‘Nope’ held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on July 18, 2022 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 708303668, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Keke Palmer, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
- Keke Palmer attends the UK Special Screening of ‘Nope’ at Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square, London, England, UK on Thursday 28 July, 2022.,Image: 710532185, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
- LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 15: Keke Palmer attends the 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.,Image: 731158907, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Keke Palmer, Credit line: Jeffrey Mayer / Avalon
- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – OCTOBER 15: Keke Palmer arrives at the 2nd Annual Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala presented by Rolex held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 731264050, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Keke Palmer, Credit line: Image Press Agency / Image Press Agency / Avalon
- 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards at David Koch Theater – Outside Arrivals Featuring: Keke Palmer Where: New York City, New York, United States When: 15 Jun 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com
