In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Keke Palmer shared delightful insights into the verbal prowess of her three-year-old son, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson. The actress spoke candidly about how Leo is rapidly developing his vocabulary, showcasing his affinity for complex words. “He is using big words. He learned how to say ‘tarantula’—come on now! That’s a big word,” Palmer said with evident pride. The actress noted that Leo even recently expressed the word ‘destination.’
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Palmer, who co-parents Leo with her former partner Darius Jackson, remarked with humour on her child’s constant chatter. “He’s talking, talking, talking, talking, talking,” she quipped, highlighting the joy of witnessing her son’s linguistic progress. As Leo absorbs more language, he has started to mimic phrases his mother often uses, revealing a charming bond between the two.
One engaging moment shared by Palmer revolved around their visits to the arcade. “We’ll be playing the Jurassic Park game, and he loves when I narrate it,” she recounted. However, she joked that sometimes her commentary goes a bit too far, prompting Leo to echo her concerns. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, go under. You’re not going to get my son,’ and then he says, ‘You’re not going to get my son,’” she recounted with laughter.
Palmer’s protective instincts as a mother extend to their family dynamics, where Leo has learned to express his feelings. She relayed a particularly endearing instance where Leo intervened when his cousin was scolded by his sister, exclaiming, “Don’t talk to my son like that.” Palmer noted, “It’s like he’s acting like me about him, but it’s like his ‘son’,” which exemplifies how he is internalising the concept of familial connections.
As a dedicated mother, Palmer is keenly aware of Leo’s developmental stages and interests. In the same interview, she mentioned that Leo has a fascination with marine life, particularly engaging with the creatures at the aquarium. “He was counting the octopus’s legs—he knows that they’re tentacles, but we call them legs because it helps him get the entry point,” she explained, reflecting on how she adjusts her language to suit Leo’s understanding.
Beyond his vocabulary and interests, Leo has also reached several significant milestones that come with growing up. “We go on bike rides because he’s old enough to fit in the back seat,” she shared, expressing her excitement about being able to enjoy new activities together. These experiences are a testimony to the evolving relationship they share as Leo transitions into his early childhood years.
Palmer also expressed gratitude for these moments, stating, “He’s just having all those big milestones.” As Leo thrives and explores the world around him, Palmer celebrates the joys and challenges of motherhood. Her updates not only illustrate her love for her son but also highlight the universal journey of parenting, which is filled with both learning and growth.
On a professional note, Palmer has recently taken on a role partnering with Sanofi to promote Beyfortus as the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season approaches. While she navigates her responsibilities in the public eye, she remains grounded by the profound joys of motherhood and the everyday milestones that make it all worthwhile.
As Keke Palmer continues her journey, it is evident that she embraces both her career and her role as a mother with passion and enthusiasm, always cherishing the unique moments that come with raising her son, Leo.