Keke Palmer Says She’s ‘Not That Sexual,’ Often Thinks ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’

Keke Palmer, the 33-year-old actress and singer, has recently opened up about her personal views on sexuality during a candid discussion on the Tea Time podcast hosted by fellow actress Raven-Symoné and her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday. This marked one of her more intimate revelations since her public split with Darius Jackson, the father of her one-year-old son, three years ago.

During the podcast, Palmer addressed her previous remarks about identifying as “asexual,” a statement she made in jest. She clarified, “When I said that I was totally joking. No shade to asexuals out there. What I was ultimately saying was that I don’t feel as sexual as the world is saying is normal.” Palmer conveyed that she tends to have a more mental and emotional approach to attraction rather than adhering to societal expectations tied to physical desire.

Reflecting on her experiences, Palmer noted that encountering sexually explicit content online often makes her question her own feelings, stating, “What’s wrong with me? Has that never been triggered?” She explained that when she does feel attracted to someone, it typically arises from deep conversations and mental connections. “I could talk to somebody when I feel that we have a vibe, then I feel that side of me that can be sensual start to say, ‘Maybe I could, maybe this could happen here,’” she shared, revealing her tendency to feel somewhat awkward in typical romantic settings.

The reality of connection and intimacy seems complex for Palmer. She expressed, “Once the relationship is mentally not stimulating and things become crashing down, I don’t feel sexual. I see you as an inanimate object,” indicating how deeply she values cognitive engagement in her relationships.

Palmer’s openness continued as she discussed her comfort with vulnerability, especially when it comes to public appearances and performance. “There is a version of me that’s very, very vulnerable, but when it comes to maybe these other interpersonal things, I think there could maybe be some difficulty there because I haven’t had a lot of work with it,” she revealed. Growing up in the public eye has shaped her perspective on emotional exposure, making her adept at handling vulnerability in front of large audiences.

As for her current romantic prospects, Palmer has not been seen in a public relationship since her split from Jackson. She shared her feelings regarding personal connections, stating, “I don’t wanna make this sound sad, but I get just hopeless in terms of how to make genuine connections.” Palmer’s sentiments resonate with the struggles many face in forging lasting relationships, whether they are romantic or platonic.

Despite the challenges, recent speculation surrounding Palmer’s romantic life has surfaced following her outings with fellow television host Sean Evans. The two sparked romance rumours after being seen together on a dinner date in June, and Palmer has since described their chemistry as authentic. “Our chemistry is genuine,” she explained in a July interview. “Essentially we met at work and we had chem … it’s like work husband/work wife. You just have that chemistry with people.”

Palmer’s ability to navigate her relationships and discuss her feelings on intimacy is increasingly refreshing in a world that often prioritises physical connections. As she continues to explore her identity and emotional connections, fans are keen to see how her journey unfolds in both her personal life and burgeoning career.

As Palmer embraces her narrative and addresses the complexities of human connections, she demonstrates a candidness that resonates with many who grapple with similar feelings in an often turbulent world of relationships.