In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, actress Keke Palmer opened up about challenging experiences she faced on the set of Scream Queens and shared insights from her upcoming memoir, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, set for release on November 19. Palmer, 31, starred as Zayday Williams in the hit horror-comedy series created by Ryan Murphy, who Palmer remembers being less than pleased with her after a scheduling conflict arose during filming.
Murphy’s Reprimand Over a Schedule Mix-Up
Palmer recounted an incident in which she inadvertently missed a day of filming due to a scheduling miscommunication. Originally, she was set to have the day off, but when the schedule shifted, Palmer decided to honor a prior commitment instead of rearranging her plans. This decision didn’t sit well with Murphy, who confronted her about the missed day in a manner that Palmer described as feeling like “being in the dean’s office.”
Recalling the conversation, Palmer said Murphy told her, “I’ve never seen you behave like this. I can’t believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this.” Initially, she believed they had cleared the air, but a few days later, a costar hinted that Murphy was still unhappy, leaving Palmer feeling unsettled.
In her memoir, Palmer explains her decision to stand by her previous commitment, hoping that Murphy would view her “as a business” who valued her own priorities as well. She acknowledged that Murphy’s reaction likely stemmed from his desire to keep production running smoothly but felt her choice was a necessary stance.
Racially Insensitive Comment from a Costar
Palmer’s time on Scream Queens was further marred by an offensive remark from a white cast member, whom Palmer refers to only as “Brenda” in her memoir. Brenda, having clashed with another cast member, became frustrated when Palmer attempted to encourage respect and teamwork on set. Brenda responded with a racially charged comment, sarcastically asking Palmer, “Who do you think you are? Martin f—— Luther King?”
Reflecting on the incident in her memoir, Palmer emphasizes her resilience, writing, “It was such a weighted thing that she said, but I didn’t allow that weight to be projected on me, because I know who I am.” Rather than letting the comment affect her, Palmer noted, “If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would.”
Navigating Tension and Resilience
Palmer’s memories reveal a layered experience on Scream Queens, where challenges came not only from the rigorous schedule but also from navigating interpersonal tensions on set. While Palmer’s career has since taken off, her memoir underscores her commitment to self-respect and resilience even in difficult professional settings.
Scream Queens, which aired from 2015 to 2016, was a horror-comedy series featuring a high-profile cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, and Niecy Nash, along with guest appearances from Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande.
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