Keke Palmer just served up a little nostalgia—and maybe a little shade—in a recent interview, and fans are buzzing.
While chatting with Who What Wear, the 31-year-old actress was asked to reflect on her time on the cult-favorite Ryan Murphy series, Scream Queens. The question: Who would be in her updated Scream Queens clique today? And let’s just say, her response got people talking.
Keke didn’t hesitate with her answer. “I would say my girl SZA, period. Billie Lourd, Ariana Grande, Victoria Monét. That’s it.”
Noticeably missing from her list? Former co-stars Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, and Abigail Breslin. The omission didn’t go unnoticed, and some fans are reading between the lines—especially considering Keke’s past comments.
Though she didn’t elaborate further in this interview, Keke has previously opened up about some not-so-great experiences during her time filming the show. In her 2024 memoir, she revealed that one of her co-stars made racist remarks toward her on set—though she didn’t name names.
That detail, combined with her narrowed-down squad, has reignited speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions on the hit series. Keke’s loyal fan base, however, applauded her for choosing a circle of empowering women—many of whom, like SZA and Victoria Monét, are not only talented but champions for women of color in entertainment.
Scream Queens originally aired from 2015 to 2016 and quickly developed a cult following thanks to its dark humor, high-glam fashion, and outrageous horror comedy. The ensemble cast was star-studded, featuring Ariana Grande, Billie Lourd, Emma Roberts, and of course, Keke as Zayday Williams—arguably one of the show’s smartest and fiercest characters.
Palmer has continued to dominate across TV, film, music, and fashion, constantly evolving and staying true to herself. Whether she’s hosting a red carpet or lending her voice to major animation projects, she always manages to bring energy, wit, and authenticity.
