Keke Palmer is mourning the loss of her first love. The former child star shared a deeply personal tribute to her teenage love, Brandon, following his death from sickle cell.
Keke Palmer Mourns Her Teenage Love
Palmer took to social media on Thursday, May 28, to share her heartache.
“I found out last night. I think I was in shock,” she wrote, sharing a photo of the pair from her 16th birthday. “I met you on MySpace! When I started performing full time, I no longer went to school, but I had one friend. Taylor, she told me about MySpace and the fine boy that would pick up his little brother from school. That was you, Brandon, the boy in the picture.”
She continued, “I found you on MySpace as any girl would after hearing that and we became friends. Basically pen pals until one day I told my parents I loved you haha and begged them to let us meet.”
Palmer went on to share that she and Brandon shared her “first real kiss.”
“I remember you taking me to Bible school and that theater I can’t remember the name of in the IE. All the parties your mom would host, Montclair is special to me because of you,” she wrote. “I can’t believe you are gone. I can not believe sickle cell took you from us. Over the last few years I kept saying, I gotta go see Brandon. I gotta see what he’s up to. I’m so sad I didn’t get to see you one last time.”
Palmer — who recently served as a mentor and guest judge on “American Idol” — remembered Brandon as a “shy” kid who “always got so much attention.”
“I miss you and I pray for your family, and I am deeply saddened by the minutes as I realize what we lost. Rest in Peace my friend and thank you for being there for me when I had no one,” she continued. “The hours and hours on the phone, feet kicked up, and your mom telling me to stop calling after hours. Life goes by so fast; don’t forget to tell people you love them. You never know when you won’t get another chance.”
The “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” podcast host concluded, “Little you would be proud of me, I finally told people how truly hard it has been for me to be happy. Thank you for giving my sadness a place to land.”
Keke Palmer Was Flooded With Support
Palmer’s deeply personal tribute was met with love and compassion from friends and fans.
“Omg Brandon!!! 💔😞 time literally flies by so fasttt. @keke I still remember like it was yesterday the time Brandon & I pulled up on you at your house to bring you some shoes he bought for you, we all sat outside for about 2 hours just yapping and laughing about anything & everything, girl he loved you downnnn! . mannn this sucks! Miss you Brandon,” one friend commented.
“Oh nooooo 💔 rest in peace Brandon ….I remember how giddy you were about him ….I remember when I finally got to meet him on set of true Jackson with that sweet face and BEAUTIFUL hair hahaha wow such a sweet soul 💔 sorry for your lost Keeks,” another added.
