Morning, kids! That’s a Keke Palmer-ism, for the uninitiated. The actor-singer-dancer-talk show host has always had the gift of gab, but her sense of style has certainly grown up along with her. Over 20 years ago, Palmer was just a tween shouldering the burden of mid-aughts red carpet glam, but now she’s a full-fledged couture chameleon who isn’t afraid to take fashion risks when the occasion calls for it. From the days when every look she wore had an element of sparkle, to her more recent obsession with a low-cut neckline, Palmer has worn it all. She now favors brands like Roberto Cavalli and Gucci and has a special penchant for New York-based Sergio Hudson and vintage Chanel. Likely, she gets her taste from her Nickelodeon days as the Vice President of a fashion label on True Jackson, VP and now, as a movie star, hitting the red carpet for her films like I Love Boosters, Lightyear, and Nope. Below, take a look back at Keke Palmer’s best red carpet moments from Akeelah and the Bee to now.
2026: BET Awards
Palmer’s crystal-embellished Gucci gown—with a gaping back cutout and thigh-high slit—was the main event at the 2026 BET Awards.
2026: Met Gala
For the Met Gala’s “Costume Art” theme, the star gave new meaning to monochrome in a head-to-toe crimson look—complete with a red pixie and a custom Prabal Gurung gown.
2026: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Palmer mastered the art of pelvic cutouts in this jewel-toned velvet Gucci gown.
2026: NAACP Image Awards
Bridalcore meets ballroom extravagance in this couture Miss Sohee gown with a matching white feathered shawl.
2025: BET Awards
Embellished with gilded sequins and gauzy tulle, this vintage Chanel minidress served a maximalist moment at the 2025 BET Awards, where Palmer was nominated for Best Actress.
2025: Met Gala
In honor of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, Palmer paid tribute to Dorothy Dandridge in a four-piece Vera Wang ensemble, complete with a frothy bustle, slim-fitting trousers, and a crisp white collar.
2025: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Palmer dipped into some iconic archives for this ab-baring cream dress from Versace’s spring 2004 collection—first worn by Cristina Aguilera in the aughts.
2025: American Black Film Festival
Is it a shirt? Is it a dress? It’s Balmain, and it’s both. The trompe-l’oeil design put a playful twist on the wardrobe classic, complete with a crisp collar, a visible tag, and a gold brooch.
2025: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Palmer stunned in an archival Chanel gown with opera gloves and gold detailing at the neckline. She amped up the Old-Hollywood glamour with a bold red lip and her side-swept bob in buckled curls. The most iconic detail? This dress was first worn by Jamie Lee Curtis in the ’80s.
2024: Met Gala
In keeping with the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme, Palmer donned a custom Marc Jacobs gown adorned with frayed beading and sequins.
2024: NAACP Image Awards
Palmer was decidedly dapper in a Tom Ford tuxedo, complete with a cummerbund, a floppy black bowtie, and a red rose boutonniere. To complete the vintage aesthetic, she carried a cane as an accessory.
2023: Fragrance Foundation Awards
The actress kept things simple and entirely chic for the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards in a plunging slip-style gown from her frequent collaborator Sergio Hudson.
2023: Met Gala
Palmer looked regal for the 2023 Met Gala in a strapless Sergio Hudson tweed dress and billowing train.
2023: Big Boss Premiere
Letting her wild side run free, Palmer went with an animal print jumpsuit from Roberto Cavalli for the Big Boss premiere.
2023: New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Before winning the award for Best Supporting Actress, Palmer shined on the red carpet in this bump-baring Michael Kors number for the 2023 New York Film Critics Circle Awards.
2022: Michael Kors Show
Palmer brought the sunshine in this canary yellow knit dress and coordinating overcoat to Michael Kors’s spring/summer 2023 show.
2022: Governors Awards
Palmer opted for a tiered wine-red Robert Wun gown for the 2022 Governors Awards.
2022: CFDA Fashion Awards
The actress bloomed in this billowing floral gown and coordinating knee-high boots by Carolina Herrera for the 2022 CFDA Awards.
2022: Nope UK Premiere
Palmer certainly made a statement for the UK premiere of Nope in this lace Valentino number complete with feather detailing at the waist.
2022: Nope Premiere
The Nope premiere called for a standout look, so Palmer grabbed this ensemble right off the runway from Marc Jacobs’ fall 2022 collection.
2022: BET Awards
Palmer wore a low-cut Conner Ives patchwork dress to the BET Awards.
2022: Lightyear Los Angeles Premiere
Palmer wore this colorful David Koma look from the designer’s pre-fall 2022 collection to the Lightyear premiere.
2021: Met Gala
Channeling Diana Ross, Palmer attended the 2021 Met Gala in a shimmering Sergio Hudson dress with long sleeves and an open back.
2020: MTV Video Music Awards
For the remote 2020 MTV VMAs, Palmer hosted in a light blue Area mini dress.
2019: Time 100 Next
Wearing a mini Cong Tri Spring 2020 dress with an attached train, Palmer attended the Time 100 Next event in November 2019.
2019: Hustlers Premiere
Palmer showed off a whole lot of leg in this crystal-covered Roberto Cavalli dress at the Toronto Film Festival’s premiere of Hustlers.
2019: MTV Video Music Awards
Wearing a bright yellow Yousef Aljasmi Swarovski-embellished gown, Palmer attended the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
2016: American Music Awards
Palmer embodied her inner Rihanna in this completely sheer silver Natalie Fedner set at the 2016 AMAs.
2016: VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens
Looking like a Klimt painting, Palmer stepped out at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors event in this strapless gold dress from Baja East.
2016: Billboard Music Awards
Palmer wore this House of Harlot knee-length latex dress with a keyhole cutout to the Billboard Music Awards.
2016: GLAAD Media Awards
This sheer lace Thai Nguyen dress stole the show at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards.
2016: Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards
Wearing the color of the night, Palmer attended the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards in an orange leather midi dress from Alessandra de Tomaso.
2016: People’s Choice Awards
Going for a darker, romantic vibe, Palmer wore a cropped lace, off-the-shoulder top and black column skirt by Yousef Al-Jasmi to the 2016 People’s Choice Awards.
2015: Teen Choice Awards
Color-blocking was all the rage around 2015, so this pink, black, and white mini dress from Giulietta was the perfect choice for the Teen Choice Awards.
2015: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Palmer kept things fairly simple for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting for a white Stella McCartney gown.
2014: Emmy Awards
The actress, who played Cinderella on Broadway, looked very much like a Disney princess in this royal-blue mermaid gown.
2014: BET Awards
Palmer embraced unexpected cutouts on this white-and-gold Alon Livné minidress at the 2014 BET Awards.
2013: NAACP Image Awards
Palmer has proven her love for blue over the years; here she wore this Naven halter dress in a gorgeous cerulean.
2012: Kids’ Choice Awards
This purple Marco Marco dress with a skirt made of large rosettes was the perfect look for the Kids’ Choice Awards.
2011: BET Awards
You can tell Palmer was feeling herself in this silver mini Mandolo dress.
2011: Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards
Palmer looked adorable in this one-shoulder, sequin-covered Ina Soltani mini dress at the 2011 Kids’ Choice Awards.
2010: Teen Choice Awards
It’s clear the actress loved some sparkle back in the day, which is why it’s no surprise she opted for this crystal-encrusted Collette Dinnigan mini dress for the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.
2009: MTV Movie Awards
Wearing a coral pink Matthew Williamson mini dress, Palmer attended the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
2009: NAACP Image Awards
Palmer looked angelic in this pleated Camilla and Marc mini dress at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards.
2007: Critics’ Choice Awards
A 14-year-old Palmer looked adorable in a simple black dress at her first-ever Critics’ Choice Awards.
2006: Akeelah and the Bee Premiere
Palmer attended the premiere for her breakout film, Akeelah and the Bee, in this lace-covered strapless gown with a bow around the waist.
2005: NAACP Image Awards
Palmer attended her first NAACP Image Awards in this white silk dress with a silver sequined belt.
2005: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Palmer was just 12 years old when she wore this pink silk dress with a matching hair bow to the 2005 SAG Awards.
