Actress and singer Keke Palmer in a recent interview with PEOPLE reflected on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson and why things later went south. Palmer’s second book, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, is set to hit the shelves on November 19.
The 31-year-old, who shares a son with Jackson, reflects on their relationship and their nasty breakup, writing that “it was the hardest thing I ever had to go through.”
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, it appeared there was tension between the former couple in July 2023 when Jackson took to social media to register his displeasure over a revealing dress that Palmer wore to Usher’s Las Vegas residency show.
Their relationship then exacerbated after Palmer filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Jackson, alleging that he physically attacked her on several occasions. Jackson, however, denied those claims and brought his own allegations against the Nope star. Besides that, the former couple also got embroiled in a bitter child custody battle.
Palmer in her interview explained why their relationship initially blossomed. “It was like, not only is this the person, but this is the time. It felt very spiritual for Darius and I,” she said. “We had separate lonelinesses, and we created a space for us to exist in that loneliness together. And then we wanted to have a son. Leo was very planned.”
Though it did not seem like the pair had issues before and after her pregnancy, Palmer said “there was a lot going on” before Jackson even complained about what she wore to Usher’s show, PEOPLE reported.
Social media users ultimately called Jackson out, describing him as an “insecure” and “corny” partner. But Palmer in her upcoming memoir says their relationship was already “unhappy and unhealthy” at the time.
“It got so out of control,” Palmer said. “The only way I knew how to bring order was through the court.” She also touched on what caused their relationship to hit the rocks, revealing that “having a baby was a big stressor.”
She additionally said fame played a part. “Not just with my romantic relationships, but with family and friends, it’s always become a burden. Too many voices get in. It can make everybody else not trust you. It’s hard to explain,” Palmer added.
Palmer and Jackson ultimately agreed to have joint custody of their son Leo. “I wish I could say he was terrible the entire time or that I was … but it wasn’t that black-and-white and that was the problem,” she said. “I didn’t want my son to think his father is a monster, because I don’t.”
Jackson has since joined the military, and Palmer had good things to say about her son’s father. “I’m so proud of him and happy for him,” she said. “I feel very at ease now knowing things are under control.”
But Palmer had a word of advice to anyone who may be caught up in what she had to deal with. “Walking away is the only way,” she emphasized.
