In the tradition of Jodi Foster, Emma Watson, and Drew Barrymore, there is another actress whose talent survived childhood stardom and remains viable and among the most popular in Hollywood during her adult years. Best known to the world as “Keke,” Lauren Keyana Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1993. As a child, she studied theater before – at the young age of 9 – she was cast in her first feature film, the Ice Cube-produced hit film Barbershop 2: Back in Business, and she continues to be a popular actress and media personality today, twenty years later.

After Barbershop 2: Back in Business, the following year, in 2005, Palmer signed a record deal with Atlantic Records, and from there, she soared on screen, through music, and as a media favorite because of her no-nonsense and unapologetically confident personality which was a perfect fit for her most impressive film to date.

Palmer’s acting accolades over the years include both Primetime and Daytime Emmy Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She has starred as “Chilli” in Lifetime TV’s CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion, as the lead character in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP, and most recently – and also impressively – in Jordan Peele’s psychological horror film Nope.

Nevertheless, Palmer’s most unforgettable role remains her performance as Akeelah Anderson in Akeelah and the Bee, which was her outstanding breakthrough role at eleven years young.

KeKe as Akeelah
Lionsgate

Released in 2006, Akeelah and the Bee was written and directed by Doug Atchison. It is a drama about an 11-year-old girl who excels against the traditional odds – socioeconomic background, race, and being a complete beginner – for incredible success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Akeelah attends Crenshaw Middle School, which is predominantly Black and underserved, and is being raised by her single mother, Tanya (Angela Bassett), who is a widow. The backstory is a bit of a cliché and something we’ve seen in films before. However, it is Akeelah’s innovative journey that was and remains both refreshing and aspirational.

Related: 11 Child Stars Whose Hollywood Success Continued Into Adulthood

Presenting even more of an obstacle, at the beginning of the film Akeelah is a rebel facing reproach due to excessive truancy. With the encouragement of her principal, Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong), however, she pivots and enters the spelling bee with determination and palpable hope. It isn’t that she ever wanted to be rebellious, but it is only now that Akeelah finally finds something she cares enough about to want to work toward.

With motivation from Dr. Larabee, an English professor (Laurence Fishburne), who she is initially so disrespectful toward, refuses to coach her so that Akeela faces her fears of greatness and embraces dreams of excellence. Although her mother isn’t as available as much as either of the two would like, she, too, helps to keep Akeelah on the path of her destiny.

The movie highlights the kind of empowering epiphany that can quite literally never sour. Young people, especially, can find positive inspiration in Palmer’s performance, but so can every one of all ages. Palmer’s performance was seamlessly believable, and the character endearing despite – or perhaps because of – her flaws.

There are reasons why Palmer’s performance in Akeelah and the Bee still ranks higher and as more unforgettable than all of her other great performances, including her portrayal as Emerald “Em” Haywood in Nope, in which she won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Palmer Made Akeelah’s Dreams Feel Tangible

Palmer’s performance as Akeelah garnered her a Critics Choice Award nomination, a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination for Most Promising Performer, and an NAACP Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

Related: Best Keke Palmer Movies, Ranked

She was so natural as an actress at such a young age that her talent was undeniable. Palmer’s signature style of sort of not acting is what has always made her performances so remarkable.

Akeelah and the Bee is a triumphant and feel-good – maybe even feel-great – story that has stood the test of time, and it is a performance that is still incredible to watch.

Akeela’s character is first established as an insubordinate little girl with seemingly low self-esteem destined to contribute to unfavorable inner-city statistics. However, throughout her performance, Palmer effortlessly reveals the treasurable inner soul that is so wonderfully dormant beneath Akeelah’s tough and unapproachable exterior.

In the hands of a beyond-capable Palmer, Akeelah is shown to be a precocious, passionate, indomitable, and charming young girl. Like most youth oppressed by urban trappings, she needed to be seen, heard, and encouraged to conquer despair and overcome her circumstances.

There are few films in history and no others in Palmer’s impressive filmography that endearingly captured both an entertaining movie and a revitalizing image that serves as a fantastic blueprint for anyone, especially young Black girls, looking to overcome environmental limitations.

Tap into one’s brilliance, work hard, and believe. Palmer made it seem that simple.

Yes, it might sound corny, but that’s not always a bad thing when hope is what so many young people need. It’s also the reason Akeelah and the Bee and Keke Palmer’s performance will forever remain relevant.