‘You is not shy, brother’: Keke Palmer reacts to 13-month-old son Leodis saying ‘mama’

On March 29, actress Keke Palmer posted a video on Instagram of her 13-month-old son, Leodis ‘Leo’ Andrellton, adorably saying ‘mama’. In the clip, Palmer playfully turned to the camera and asked:

“Why you always gotta play shy, brother? You is not shy, brother.”

Keke proceeded to inquire about Leo’s opinion on his mother’s appearance with blood (makeup) on her face. After gazing at the camera for a moment, Leo leaned in and softly said ‘mama.’ Keke Palmer was taken aback and responded with a boisterous cheer.

Video of Keke Palmer’s Son Calling Her ‘Mama’ Goes Viral on Instagram

Despite being in the middle of a shoot while filming her Instagram video, Keke Palmer can be seen wearing a grey overcoat with bloody gashes all over her face and a bleeding nose. Despite the gruesome appearance, Leo still cuddled up to her and Keke captured the sweet moment on camera.

As Leo leaned his head on Keke’s shoulder, Palmer inquired of him:

“Do Mommy look good with the blood on her face?”

Shortly after, Leo leaned in closer to the camera and clearly said ‘mama.’ Keke Palmer’s excitement grew as she let out a loud ‘OH’ and cheered for her son. She added the caption to the post:

“I’m not crying, YOU ARE.”

Fans of the Nope actress flooded the video’s comment section with adoration. One viewer even inquired if that was the initial instance of Leo uttering the word ‘mama.’ In response, Keke Palmer confirmed, ‘That was definitely his first clear utterance of it!’

Since Leo’s birth, Keke Palmer has consistently shared her positive and honest experiences as a mother. During an interview with US Weekly on March 25, the Emmy-winning actress expressed her desire to have a large family, stating that she would love to have ‘a soccer team of kids.’ She playfully added:

“I really want to just be, like, at least Diana Ross and at most Eddie Murphy. I want a lot of kids.”

For those unfamiliar, it should be noted that Diana Ross has a total of five children, while Eddie Murphy has a total of ten.

In a recent interview with People Magazine, Keke shared her updated perspective on motherhood, which she had previously expressed earlier in March. The actress elaborated:

“I do feel like being 30, it’s put me in a different head space that’s allowed me to kind of feel more observational about my life. I’m not so in the weeds of everything. I’m really trusting and having faith that everything will work out as it should. I think so much of that peace has come from my son.”

Keke likened her life to a juggling act, where she must find a harmonious balance between her professional pursuits and her responsibilities as a parent.

Keke Palmer’s Struggle with Her Father’s Absence

Despite being Leodis’ biological father, Darius Jackson, Palmer’s ex-boyfriend, and Palmer separated in October 2023 and have since been embroiled in a prolonged legal battle.

During their relationship, Keke Palmer accused Darius Jackson of physically assaulting her, while Jackson’s brother filed a restraining order against Keke for alleged harassment against their family.

Despite facing difficulties in her relationship, the actress remains fully dedicated to being the best mother to Leodis and has consistently shared her parenting journey with openness and honesty.