Keke Palmer has opened up about the behind-the-scenes decision to pull her pre-recorded interview with embattled actor Jonathan Majors, revealing that concerns over public backlash led to the episode being shelved.
The 31-year-old actress and host had filmed an episode of her Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast with Majors — known for his roles in Lovecraft Country and Magazine Dreams — which was initially slated for release in April. However, the interview never aired after Majors was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, Keke explained her reasoning behind the interview and the eventual decision not to air it.
“When I’m doing my hosting, I’m here to be unbiased,” she said. “Everybody that sits in your chair, you don’t agree with everything they did… but you gotta have the conversation.”
While she personally felt it was important to allow Majors to speak and let the audience form their own opinions, her team and podcast partners ultimately concluded that releasing the interview would be seen as “insensitive” given the timing and public sentiment.
“They saw the reaction, that people felt it was insensitive, and that maybe we shouldn’t put it out,” Keke said.
She also suggested that the episode might be released in the future, depending on public interest and the broader climate surrounding the issue.
“It’s always there, if people wanted to see it,” she said. “But I always wanna be respectful.”
Keke also expressed disappointment at the backlash she faced for even attempting to have the conversation, defending her role as a media host.
“People sit down with serial killers. I’m not comparing him to a serial killer,” she clarified, “but at the end of the day, I felt like, as a journalist, I’m supposed to talk and we’re supposed to hear — and let the public decide how they want to feel.”
Despite the controversy, Keke wished Majors and his current partner, actress Meagan Good, well.
“I really wanna say that because I don’t judge nobody — ’cause I don’t want to be judged,” she said. “So at the end of the day, I’m happy for Meagan. I’m happy for them.”
The scrapped interview has reignited conversations around media ethics, cancel culture, and the role of public figures in navigating complicated or controversial moments.
