Lauren Keyana Palmer was born August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois, USA. 

Lauren Keyana 'Keke' Palmer is an 11 year old actress who's small part in the movie 'Barber Shop 2 - Back In Business' launched her career and won her a series of guest starring roles on shows like 'Cold Case' and 'Strong Medicine'. And even a starring role in a made for TV movie called 'The Wool Cap' where she worked alongside her favorite actor William H. Macy. 

Keyana, who got the nickname 'Keke' from her older sister Loreal when she was just a baby, was born on August 26th 1993 in Robbins Il., a small town 30mins south of Chicago. Although she was born to former actors for the Black Ensemble Theater, where she spent many nights backstage as a child, she didn't decided she wanted to act until after doing Barber Shop 2 and Cold Case. "It was really fun on the set and I just started loving it even more every day." said the former student of St. Benedict Grammar School who is now home schooled by her mother, Sharon Palmer. 

Keke went on her first auditon for fun when she was just 9 years old. It was for the Lion King in Chicago, where she got the part. "...but to our surprise they wanted her to travel to California to do the show and we naively thought because she had auditioned in Chicago that is where she would perform." said Sharon Palmer, a high school teacher for communications and special education. "I was teaching and could not travel..." 

A few months later Keke shot Barber Shop 2 Back In Business. Her 5 lines were good enough to catch the attention of alot of important people."Several casting agents, writers, talent agencies, NBC, ABC, Disney, contacted us in Illinois." said Mrs. Palmer. "We just prayed to God, "Lord if this is the right time for us to go, to leave our comfortable life, please give us a sign". Within two days of that prayer Keke booked a national commercial just by us sending in a photo." 

Keke and her family traved to California on faith alone, leaving behind family and friends in hopes that God would provide. Well thank God they did! Since then Keke has had the opportunity to bless us all with her great talents. 

In the course of 1 Year keke has done 4 national commercials, a made for TV movie, a few guest starring appearances, shot a pilot for her own show on Disney Channel, 'Keke & Jamal', and a Lion Gates family drama with Laurence Fishborne and Angela Bassett titled 'Akeelah and The Bee', which hits theaters later this year. She will also be in 2 new movies which are both in pre-production! 'Knights Of South Bronx' with Ted Danson and 'Madea's Family Reunion' with Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood and Lynn Whitfield. 

Keke is just a normal 11 year old and doesn't want to be a celebrity, she enjoys singing and dancing, watching her favorite TV show That's So Raven and listening to music, she said she likes "Anything with Usher or Beyonce." 

Source: up4u.net