Keke Palmer makes a return to fashion-driven narratives with her role in Boots Riley's new film, I Love Boosters. This project marks nearly two decades since she starred as the lead in Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP, a series about a teen running a fashion company's youth division.
Palmer's Fashion Connection
At the Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday, Palmer humorously noted the similarities to her past role, saying, "It’s so funny, it was reminding me of True Jackson, VP. The whole [Moore’s character] Christie Smith, she was not a nice Max Madigan OK, she was not!" Palmer added, "It’s always good to step into the fashion vibe; I love this [movie] because it really kind of exposes what we already know about fashion but just really putting the attention back on the culture."
Boots Riley's Inspiration
Director Boots Riley drew inspiration from his own life for the film, sharing, "the life that I’ve had as a broke rapper trying to stay fly" influenced the narrative. He and Palmer also collaborated on an EP accompanying the movie, inspired by a track written by Riley's daughter, Alina Kanin.
“I’m like Boots in the same sense where I want to be creative in every medium that I can; if I could be a painter, I would paint something,” Palmer explained, expressing her enthusiasm for merging film and music.
Facing Off with Demi Moore
On screen, Palmer was thrilled to work alongside Demi Moore, saying, "I can’t tell you how many times I was up with my mom when she was crying to Ghost, so it’s kind of insane to be working with her." Riley cast Moore as the villain because he thought "she might be crazy, and I like working with crazy people." Palmer admired Moore's subtle performance style, noting, "watching the small changes that she would make in between each take, she’s a very subtle and nuanced actor."
Star-Studded Cast
The film boasts a supporting cast that includes Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, and Don Cheadle. Liu quipped about the film's deeper themes, "people might be drawn in by the fashion but then j.k., you’re going to get radicalized, we hope!" emphasizing its narrative on capitalism and consumption.
I Love Boosters is set to hit theaters on May 22.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/keke-palmer-true-jackson-vp-demi-moore-i-love-boosters-1236595571/
