*Warning: Mention and description of domestic violence and abuse.
Keke Palmer, 30, is the moment right now. The actress has been booked and busy in the last year—appearing in huge movies like NOPE (2022), launching her own podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, and even dropping an album, Big Boss, in October 2023.
Earlier this year, Keke even gave birth to her first child, Leodis "Leo" Andrellton in February. She shares her son with Darius Jackson, whom she split from in September, per Entertainment Tonight. In November, the actress reportedly requested full custody of her child after allegedly filing a domestic violence restraining order against Jackson, per documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Below, everything to know about Keke Palmer's relationship with Darius Jackson.
In August 2021, Darius Jackson attended Keke's 28th birthday party.
The actress shared photos from the event, and Jackson was included in a few. The night seemed like a great time for Keke and her friends.
"It’s the details for me," Keke wrote in the post. "Nobody was on they phones, we had that before MySpace feeling… I’m so happy. Awesome Birthday, so grateful. 🥳🥰😍"
She later confirmed the relationship in March 2022.
In an interview with Bustle in March 2022, Keke spoke publicly about her relationship with Jackson. "This is the happiest I've ever felt with someone," Keke told the publication at the time.
It was also revealed at this time that Keke was first introduced to Jackson at Sean "Diddy" Combs' Memorial Day party, Bustle reported.
In December 2022, Keke announced her pregnancy.
After rumors circulated leading up to her Saturday Night Live hosting gig, Keke finally confirmed she was pregnant with her son in one of the most epic pregnancy announcements of 2022. The actress showed off her baby bump during her opening monologue.
Jackson reportedly watched the show from backstage, per US Weekly. Later, Keke revealed how she found out she was pregnant on an episode of her podcast.
"I took the test, and it came back negative. I didn't have the lines on there, so I just threw it in the trash. I just threw it in the trash," she said. "And so I go out... and all of a sudden, I get a text from Darius, and he says, 'When did you take this?' And it's a picture of the pregnancy test and it's positive... As soon as I come home, me and him, I do 10 of 'em back-to-back, back-to-back, to back, to back-to-back. All positive."
Keke gave birth to her son, Leondris Andrellton Jackson, in February.
Keke officially announced her son's birth on Instagram in February 2023.
"Born during Black History Month, with a name to match 😄!" Keke wrote in her post. "Welcome to the world baby Leo."
In July 2023, Keke attended an Usher concert.
Keke wore a sheer black gown to the concert, and Jackson publicly disproved of her look on social media. In an X, formerly Twitter, post that has now been deleted (Keke's ex deleted his entire account after backlash from his posting), Jackson wrote: "It's the outfit tho...you a mom," per PEOPLE.
After receiving backlash from his initial post, Jackson doubled down. "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is,” he wrote, per US Weekly.
Keke appeared in Usher's "Boyfriend" music video in August 2023.
A month later, Keke starred in Usher's "Boyfriend" music video, and subtly called out her ex's comments. "Damn, I missed the show," she says at the end of the video. "I'm so tired. I'm a mother, after all." The podcast host then winks directly at the camera.
A source later told Us Weekly that the pair's relationship is "complicated."
"They hope they can work things out for the sake of themselves and their child," the source said.
However, a source later confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that the couple had split shortly after the X, formerly Twitter, posts by Jackson. "The actor and Darius have been co-parenting, but for now, they aren’t together," the source said.
In September 2023, Keke was asked point blank if she was still with Jackson.
Keke appeared on the TODAY show to promote her new album Big Boss. During the interview, she said she was extremely happy and grateful at that moment in her life.
The hosts brought up her recent trip to Beyoncé's Renaissance tour with Jackson, and asked if she was still dating him. "I'm gonna take a page out of my girl Beyoncé's book, 'Mind y'all's business.'"
Keke allegedly filed for a restraining order in November 2023.
On November 9, PEOPLE reported that Keke had filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order in Los Angeles, per documents the publication had obtained. She also requested full custody of their son, Leo.
PEOPLE reports that the California Superior Court filings allege that Jackson had trespassed in the actress' home on Nov. 5, "threatened," and "physically attacked [Keke] — lunging for [her] neck, striking [her], throwing [her] over the couch, and stealing [her] phone," when the actress said she was going to call the police.
PEOPLE also reports that Keke alleges in the declaration that Jackson had made "many instances of physical violence, including striking and grabbing [her] around the neck," and even destroyed her property including her diaries and prescription glasses.
Keke also alleges that Jackson threatened to kill himself if she left him, and would also emotionally abuse her, including "love bombing" her.
If you or a loved one is experienced domestic violence, you can call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for more resources.
Olivia Evans
News Editorial Assistant
Olivia Evans (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Her work has previously appeared in The Cut and Teen Vogue. She loves covering topics where culture and wellness intersect. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and watching rom-coms.
