UPDATE: Darius Jackson denied approving any press statement about the status of his relationship with Keke Palmer on Friday (August 18). Jackson spoke out after reports claiming he “moved on” surfaced this week.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about anything or gave permission to anyone to speak for me,” he wrote on Twitter. “So all these sites & post about me making any type of statement is false.”
Original story: Darius Jackson has reportedly called curtains on his relationship with KeKe Palmer. According to People Magazine, a source close to Jackson said the actor has moved on from the drama with his baby mama and is focused on himself.
“He’s moved on,” the source said. The insider also notes that Jackson is looking to focus on his acting career and will continue to be a good father, “You don’t have to be in the same household to be good parents.”
The report comes after Usher released a new video to his single “Boyfriend” which stars Keke Palmer as the leading lady. In the video, Palmer, 29, is seen prepping for a girl’s night out in a Las Vegas casino. Dressed to impress, Palmer sings along to Usher’s 2001 classic “U Remind Me” in the elevator down to the lobby where she locks eyes with Usher for a brief second. Palmer then fully embodies Usher’s signature swagger, sporting the same exact outfit as him, and dancing across the casino floor as the pair take turns showing off their choreography skills.
Moments after the video’s premiere, Palmer wrote a heartfelt message thanking Usher for the opportunity. “Usher! I remember when I was 12 and auditioned for “In The Mix” You have been killing it all my life. As a true lover of the arts, your talent and craftsmanship are a rare combination that I aspire to achieve as a performer. You are a living legend who is worthy of awe! Thank you for encouraging me and seeing me as the entertainer I am. I know I’m a gUrL but when I watched your videos, I never wanted to be the girl in them, I wanted to be YOU. Thank you for making a dream come true.”
Watch the full video below.
Earlier this summer, Jackson spoke against a viral moment showing Palmer dancing to Usher’s “There Goes My Baby” during one of the R&B singer’s Las Vegas residency concerts. Jackson expressed his disapproval, specifically addressing Palmer’s attire and perceived conduct.
“It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom,” he wrote on the app formerly known as Twitter. He later added “We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is. This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe.”
The incident, which unfolded on social media, sparked conversations about personal expression, respect, and the boundaries within romantic partnerships. Following the memes and online turmoil, Keke, who gave birth to her and Jackson’s son Leodis Andrellton in February, posted further images of her dress on Instagram and urged everyone to attend Usher’s concert:
“I wish I had taken more pictures but we were running late! I am telling y’all right now, if you haven’t seen @usher YOU MUST GO!! HE WAS SO FABULOUS!! Giving theater, Atlanta downnn, tips and tricks and just absolutely iconic. I was truly inspired as a performer. I whooped some ass in spades too! Where is that pic of us all together with the King himself??”
In a recent statement to People, Usher shared his own thoughts on the situation, saying it was “a pop moment.”
“I think everybody’s vision or a version of what they felt happened there just leads you back to just really having a good time in Las Vegas. And that’s what I hope came out of it. Rather, it was a conversation of what was going on with us having fun in front of the audience or conversation about that song.”
He added, “Every night I’m thinking about how the world now is going to react to this moment that I’ll have with whoever I’m choosing to sing to. But it was a pop moment, and it was fun to have at least conversation going and we just keep it light. I don’t see anything negative happening in Las Vegas.”
