Growing Up in the Spotlight with Raven-Symoné, Kel Mitchell, Marsai Martin & More

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Growing Up in the Spotlight with Raven-Symoné, Kel Mitchell, Marsai Martin & More"

Baby, This is Keke Palmer, hosted by Keke Palmer on Wondery, delves deep into the lives of celebrities who have navigated fame from a young age. In the episode titled "Growing Up in the Spotlight with Raven-Symoné, Kel Mitchell, Marsai Martin & More" released on April 22, 2025, Keke engages with a lineup of influential guests, including Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman, Kel Mitchell and Coco Jones, Marsai Martin and JoJo Siwa, alongside Jesse McCartney and Ali Michalka. The discussions provide a rich exploration of maintaining personal relationships, transitioning careers, and evolving within the entertainment industry.

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1. Navigating Relationships Under the Public Eye with Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman

Guests: Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman
Timestamp Highlights: [00:00] – [09:00]

Keke Palmer opens the episode with an intimate conversation with Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman, a prominent power couple in the entertainment world. They delve into the complexities of sustaining a relationship amidst fame and societal expectations.

Key Topics:

• Identity and Name Pronunciation:
  Raven-Symoné discusses the challenges of her name being mispronounced and her preference for her middle name, Simone.
  “It’s just easier to say Simone.” ([01:27])

• Breaking Societal Norms:
  The couple critiques traditional gender roles and societal pressures, emphasizing their unique approach to relationships.
  “What it boils down to is meeting the crazy that you can tolerate or the crazy that matches yours.” – Miranda Pearman ([03:28])

• Commitment and Resilience:
  Raven reinforces their commitment by rejecting the notion of divorce despite public scrutiny.
  “We’re never going to get divorced.” ([04:10])

• Healing and Support:
  Miranda shares how Raven has been instrumental in her healing journey from past traumas and anxiety.
  “Raven has been incredible for me because I have been able to heal a lot of my past trauma, my anxiety.” ([05:48])

Notable Quote: Miranda Pearman emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding in relationships affected by fame.
“As long as you are on the same page and you co-sign to that agreement, you can move forward and write your own rules.” ([03:28])

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2. Transitioning from Child Stars to Adult Careers with Kel Mitchell and Coco Jones

Guests: Kel Mitchell and Coco Jones
Timestamp Highlights: [09:52] – [27:03]

Kel Mitchell and Coco Jones share their journeys from beloved child stars to successful adult entertainers, highlighting the challenges and triumphs they've encountered along the way.

Key Topics:

• Early Beginnings and Chemistry:
  Kel reminisces about his time on All That and how the chemistry with Kenan Thompson led to the creation of Kenan & Kel.
  “We met on the All That set.” ([14:09])

• Balancing Act of Fame:
  Both discuss the pressures of maintaining their careers while growing up in the public eye, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability.
  “When you wouldn’t get jobs, I was like, what happened? Because I literally did everything y’all asked me to do.” – Kel Mitchell ([33:38])

• Family Support and Sacrifices:
  They highlight the critical role of family in supporting their careers, viewing entertainment as a collective family effort.
  “Eventually, it was a family business.” – Jesse McCartney ([22:29])

• Navigating Career Shifts:
  Coco talks about transitioning from acting to music, while Kel reflects on overcoming setbacks and reinventing himself.
  “It was a lot of work, but we knew the formula worked.” – Coco Jones ([15:19])

Notable Quote: Coco Jones underscores the supportive community among young performers.
“We are all family. I call people that watched us, I call them family.” ([10:29])

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3. Disney Channel Experiences with Marsai Martin and JoJo Siwa

Guests: Marsai Martin and JoJo Siwa
Timestamp Highlights: [38:58] – [63:41]

Marsai Martin and JoJo Siwa discuss their experiences with Disney Channel, reflecting on the nostalgic impact of childhood shows and the evolution of the network over time.

Key Topics:

• Favorite Disney Shows and Nostalgia:
  The guests reminisce about classic Disney shows like Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire, sharing how these programs influenced their careers and personal growth.
  “I loved Even Stevens. I mean, Even Stevens, Shia on that show...” – Keke Palmer ([48:40])

• Evolution of Disney Channel:
  They express that the contemporary Disney Channel differs significantly from the one they grew up with, citing a lack of depth and real issue discussions in modern programming.
  “Disney Channel that we grew up on is not the same.” – Keke Palmer ([53:25])

• Self-Advocacy and Creativity:
  Marsai and JoJo highlight their proactive efforts in advocating for their music careers within Disney's framework, emphasizing the importance of creativity and self-expression.
  “We were always advocating for ourselves to put our music into the shows.” – JoJo Siwa ([57:20])

• Impact of Workshops and Talent Scouting:
  They discuss the significance of workshops and talent scouting in their early careers, noting a decline in such initiatives today.
  “They were putting workshops, scouting real kids...” – JoJo Siwa ([56:09])

Notable Quote: JoJo Siwa emphasizes the blend of fun and hard work in their Disney experiences.
“It was fun, and we weren’t doing this because our parents had to...” ([60:18])

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4. Multi-Talented Journeys with Jesse McCartney and Ali Michalka

Guests: Jesse McCartney and Ali Michalka
Timestamp Highlights: [36:10] – [63:41]

Jesse McCartney and Ali Michalka explore their multifaceted careers, balancing acting and music from a young age, and discuss the importance of familial support in their professional endeavors.

Key Topics:

• Early Acting and Music Careers:
  Jesse shares how he began acting in Dallas and transitioned to Los Angeles to pursue larger roles, while Ali discusses her start on All My Children and later forming the boy band Dream Street.
  “I started acting when I was five.” – Jesse McCartney ([19:56])
  “My first TV gig was on All My Children.” – Ali Michalka ([42:23])

• Challenges of Balancing Dual Careers:
  Both guests highlight the difficulties of managing simultaneous acting and music careers, emphasizing the need for discipline and time management.
  “Balancing interview questions, balancing school and work...” – Kel Mitchell ([33:15])

• Entrepreneurial Ventures:
  Jesse discusses founding his production company and Ali talks about her solo music career post-Dream Street, underscoring their commitment to creative control and innovation.
  “I started writing and making music and building this career as a young solo artist.” – Ali Michalka ([44:16])

• Impact of Family Support:
  They attribute much of their success to the unwavering support of their families, who viewed their careers as a collective family business.
  “My parents used to say that if it doesn’t become fun for you anymore, we can move on to the next thing.” – Jesse McCartney ([19:42])

Notable Quote: Ali Michalka reflects on the discipline instilled by her early acting experiences.
“It definitely instilled a lot of discipline.” ([43:32])

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5. Reinvention and Personal Growth

Throughout the episode, a recurring theme is the continuous reinvention and personal growth of each guest within the ever-evolving entertainment industry. They share insights on overcoming setbacks, finding their unique voice, and the importance of authenticity in maintaining a sustainable career.

Key Insights:

• Resilience and Adaptability:
  Guests discuss how facing professional challenges taught them resilience, enabling them to adapt and thrive despite setbacks.
  “I had no personality. I had no life experience. I just knew I had jobs and that’s all I cared about.” – Kel Mitchell ([36:34])

• Authenticity and Self-Discovery:
  Emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself, they share journeys of self-discovery that have shaped their careers and personal lives.
  “I want to be in the casting process. That’s me.” – Jesse McCartney ([28:25])

• Importance of Support Systems:
  The role of family and trusted mentors is highlighted as crucial for navigating the pressures of fame and sustaining personal well-being.
  “They have to protect my brand with me. So why would we stop now?” – Jesse McCartney ([24:17])

Notable Quote: Keke Palmer underscores the significance of genuine relationships in the spotlight.
“They got your back, and they know.” ([24:17])

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Conclusion

Keke Palmer successfully weaves together the diverse narratives of her guests, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to grow up in the spotlight. From grappling with personal relationships under public scrutiny to balancing dual careers in acting and music, each guest offers unique perspectives on maintaining authenticity and resilience. The episode highlights the pivotal role of family support and personal determination in overcoming the challenges posed by early fame, ultimately celebrating the guests' journeys of reinvention and personal growth within the entertainment industry.

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Notable Quotes:

• Raven-Symoné:
  "It's just easier to say Simone." ([01:27])

• Miranda Pearman:
  "What it boils down to is meeting the crazy that you can tolerate or the crazy that matches yours." ([03:28])

• Coco Jones:
  "It was a lot of work, but we knew the formula worked." ([15:19])

• JoJo Siwa:
  "We were always advocating for ourselves to put our music into the shows." ([57:20])

• Ali Michalka:
  "It definitely instilled a lot of discipline." ([43:32])

• Kel Mitchell:
  "I had no personality. I had no life experience. I just knew I had jobs and that’s all I cared about." ([36:34])

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This detailed summary captures the essence of each segment, highlighting key discussions, insights, and memorable quotes from the guests, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

[Keke Palmer]

This episode is sponsored by Airbnb, y'all. When spring hits and nature starts calling my name, you know I am headed straight to Airbnb to find the most loved homes to scratch my outdoor z itch. Now let's get into it, baby. No matter what we doing in the car, just chilling, pop on Amazon music, sit back and listen. Life, love, sex, science, hovering it all, especially the bad. Cause money always evolved. No matter what it is, we gonna make it make sense. Nothing else to do but kick it with the homies and king to grab you a drink and a snack you enjoy and get into the vibe that only wants you know it's your girl. This is Kiki, baby. This is Kiki Palma. Yeah. Today we are in for a treat, y'all. Okay, I'm sitting here with not one, but two beautiful gals today. I'm here with the power couple that is Raven, Simone and Miranda Pearman. Mayday. Welcome to the show. Raven and Miranda.

[Raven-Symoné]

Oh, thanks for having us, Kiki.

[Keke Palmer]

Kiki.

[Miranda Pearman]

You killed our names.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. Okay. I'm happy because I was like, is it Pearman? Maday. Mayday. Madai. I wanted to make sure I did your last name, girl.

[Raven-Symoné]

I like Madai.

[Keke Palmer]

Can we just quickly just make a moment out of the fact that everybody in the world has been pronouncing your name apparently incorrect. Like Raven. We did my mom.

[Raven-Symoné]

That.

[Keke Palmer]

It was Raven. Simone. Yay. Yeah.

[Raven-Symoné]

Simone has been my name since I was born, but not even my mama calls me that. And it's okay, though. You know, we put accents on things, and sometimes we use that accent and sometimes we don't. Honestly, it's just easier to say this. It's just easier to say to Simone.

[Keke Palmer]

But I want to know, like, so. So what happened? What prompted you being like, yo, by the way? You know what I mean? You know, what made you drop that bomb on us?

[Raven-Symoné]

It's. It's so sad, you guys. I was. I was tick tocking for my life, and I just needed some views, and I felt like, you know, period. Period. And that's what happened. And look what happened.

[Keke Palmer]

It did everything it needed to do, so I'm here for that. I'm here for a quick little gag for the kids.

[Raven-Symoné]

I was literally on the way to get my hair done, and I was like, I'm bored. I'm early. Let me do a tick tock. Oh, this is trendy. Such a mess.

[Miranda Pearman]

And it's still going on because just yesterday, our friend Jojo, Jojo Siwa called. She's like, hey, I was Doing these intros because we did an event with her, and she's like. And they kept telling me to say Raven's name as Simone. And she was like. And I had to. I had to put them in their place. I had to crack them. I was like, no, baby girl.

[Keke Palmer]

That is.

[Miranda Pearman]

That was correct.

[JoJo Siwa]

She's like, why?

[Miranda Pearman]

I was like, yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

She's like, why?

[Raven-Symoné]

Talk about a rebrand of a brand that has been in our faces forever. And I just here for that myself, just randomly.

[Keke Palmer]

But I'm actually. I also think that's actually genius in terms of a reran. Because, like, yeah, that was Raven Simone that y'all knew, but this is Raven Simone. Exactly. I got married.

[Raven-Symoné]

I'm Raven Simone.

[Miranda Pearman]

I should totally do it. Kiki, you should be like.

[JoJo Siwa]

And I'll be.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't know what I'd be. I'm sure in some countries I am Kik. So, yeah, I'm here for that as well. But I'm excited to have you guys here today. Obviously, on the show, we have been talking all about relationships, but specifically kind of how fame and, like, being in the public eye can affect our relationships, especially if one partner has been in the spotlight for a while. But before we get into it all the way this is about relationships in general is what's important to you.

[Miranda Pearman]

What it boils down to is meeting the crazy that you can tolerate or the crazy that matches yours. So as long as you are on the same page and you co sign to that agreement and you continue to co sign, I call it also, like renewing the lease. Every single day, you have an opportunity to wake up next to your partner and renew that lease. And as long as you both are on that same page, you can move forward and write your own rules. And that can be living separately.

[Raven-Symoné]

We talk about that a lot. You know, for the forever. In the history of humanity, up until today, there has been a standard on what a married couple should look like. You guys have to sleep together. You guys have to have sex every week or twice or three times a week. Otherwise it's failing. You guys have to do this. You have.

[Keke Palmer]

Have. Have gender roles, which I freaking. The gender role. I can't.

[Raven-Symoné]

It's ridiculous. And so, you know, there are fantasies that you feed our female people in our society to make them feel like, okay, this is what my marriage has to be. And if it's not, it's failing. And then that adds more issues when you actually step away from what society says it should be. And like you said, Kiki looked and Babes, look what you need, see what you need, and make a relationship a reflection of what you need. You know, there's things that. That happen in our relationship. We're not going to go, but just on an overall where it's like, I never thought that this would work. And I'm like, I know, right?

[Keke Palmer]

But it's.

[Raven-Symoné]

It works for us. It's fine.

[Miranda Pearman]

I also grew up, like, my parents got divorced when I was 7. And I, at that point in my life, remember saying to myself, I will never, ever do that. Like, I will never get divorced. And I didn't know what that really meant, but I just knew I never wanted to have a divorce.

[Raven-Symoné]

I said the same thing when I was younger. So that's the one thing that will never happen. No matter how much we fight, no matter if we hate each other, we're going to be at least live. Living next to each other and sharing their insurance, because we're never going to get.

[Miranda Pearman]

But the thing that happened for me in my mind was I then did kind of fall into the conventional traps of, like, what I was hearing around me, what I heard my mom say was part of the reasons as to why her marriage didn't succeed. So it was like, you know, we had to be more vulnerable. There was this lack of intimacy. I couldn't do that.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, we.

[Miranda Pearman]

And then people kind of have these bullet points. And so, yeah, it was hard, kind.

[Raven-Symoné]

Of, because I said, no, you can't.

[Keke Palmer]

Have none of that.

[Miranda Pearman]

Well, she was just like, we can be. Be different, and you can feel safe in this relationship. And Raven has been incredible for me because I have been able to heal a lot of my past trauma, my anxiety.

[Keke Palmer]

Isn't it amazing that love can do that? I mean, how much did you know about Raven before y'all dated? I don't know if you grew up watching her stuff or not. I mean, obviously, Raven is. Raven Simone. You may. You had to have watched that. So, Raven. But maybe you weren't the biggest fan. I don't know.

[Miranda Pearman]

I actually had not watched any of that. So, Raven, are you all the same age?

[Raven-Symoné]

I'm older.

[Miranda Pearman]

I'm 35. Raven is 37.

[Raven-Symoné]

She has no excuse.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm like, now, what was you doing, Ms. Mama, that you didn't see that?

[Kel Mitchell]

So.

[Keke Palmer]

Right.

[Miranda Pearman]

I know.

[Raven-Symoné]

Tell her, babes. Tell her what you were watching instead.

[Miranda Pearman]

Here we go. No.

[Keke Palmer]

Wow.

[Miranda Pearman]

Meet my sister. My sister watched.

[Raven-Symoné]

No, no, it's not about your sister.

[Miranda Pearman]

I'm trying.

[Raven-Symoné]

What did you watch?

[Kel Mitchell]

I watched.

[Miranda Pearman]

Even Stevens she watched.

[Keke Palmer]

So wait a minute. Okay, so you know. Right. That's so Raven. You just wasn't watching the show.

[Miranda Pearman]

I. Correct. I knew of it and I.

[Keke Palmer]

Watching the channel.

[Miranda Pearman]

Yeah, yeah, totally. And I knew who Raven Simone was.

[Raven-Symoné]

Ish.

[Miranda Pearman]

Ish.

[Keke Palmer]

So you just specifically decided to avoid that. So Raven, the biggest show that Disney ever had.

[Miranda Pearman]

Stop it. Yes, you would. I didn't know. I made no decision. I didn't.

[Keke Palmer]

It was. It was.

[Raven-Symoné]

She sat down at her table.

[Keke Palmer]

I am not.

[Miranda Pearman]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

I wrote it in my diary.

[Marsai Martin]

I declare. I will never watch that.

[Keke Palmer]

But I mean, a show, let's be honest. Even Stevens, Liz McGuire. That's a raven. Are the three. Like, those are the Disney Channel iconic shows. I mean, number one for me. Is that so Raven. However, Lizzie McGuire, when you believe it was a very good show, we're not going to act like it wasn't the little. Even Stevens. I mean, we knew, like, that show was good. So, I mean, I'm not mad at the taste, but that's so Raven. Like, that's crazy that you didn't. Now, wait. So my thing is this. Was there any point in your relationship. Obviously, I don't think you have much of an ego, Raven, so maybe this answer is absolutely not. But did you ever think at any moment, like, this girl is lying just so we could get together? Like, she's just trying to act like she don't. You know? Did you ever, or did anybody ever try and tell you, like, she's lying? She totally was a fan.

[Raven-Symoné]

That's a good question.

[Miranda Pearman]

I think about that sometimes.

[Raven-Symoné]

Not Miranda, but I've had others where I'm like, you lying?

[Keke Palmer]

It's okay.

[Raven-Symoné]

We're living your life.

[Keke Palmer]

This is good. This is a good moment. But, yeah.

[Raven-Symoné]

No, not Miranda.

[Keke Palmer]

So you did believe her. You did believe her when she said she didn't. You know, she knew of you, but she wasn't like, in the. In the shit like that. You believed her?

[Raven-Symoné]

Yeah, she wasn't in the shit. I believe her because I know her. And she. She can only keep, like, all of the little. I'm not gonna call them lies. All of the little falsies that she manipulated in order to. Whatever. Before we got married, as soon as we got married, she told me everything. And then I re. Asked her. She's like, nah. And I know it didn't happen because she was like, let's watch some things. She also never saw the Cheetah Girls.

[Keke Palmer]

So, I mean, now it's starting to get ridiculous now. I don't think that we're gonna make it as Friends. Because what in the entire Cheetah Girls.

[Raven-Symoné]

She's on the first one, babe. She's on the first song, first episode. You're on your own.

[Keke Palmer]

That ain't right now. Yes, girl. Raven, I mean, honestly, it's really. I really actually hate you for your childhood, Miranda. You missed out in your childhood, girl. You missed out. So today's guest is a true staple. Okay. Of the Nickelodeon network. Not only was he on the cast of all that, but he also got his very own spinoff of the show, which, I mean, everybody knows Kenan and Kel. It's like Avenue Costello Magic and Karima Woo. You know exactly who I'm talking about. Kayl Mitchell. Welcome to Baby. This is Keke Volmer. Yeah.

[Coco Jones]

I'm so excited to be here. Come on, now. You know, I'm proud of you and everything you do, and I listen to the podcast, so thank you. Thank you for having me. This was up.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, thank you, Kel. I mean, first of all, aside from you being a Virgo, which makes everything make sense, you also from Chicago, I mean, you are an icon. I literally grew up watching you, imitating you, just loving you. And so many people in our generation and entertainers of our generation, I mean, it's the same thing across the board. So, I mean, I don't even know if you can think about that or how you receive that, but it must feel good to just know that, you know, you've made this impact, man.

[Coco Jones]

Every time I hear people say it and people that I'm even fans of that tell me, you know, like, I'm a fan of yours. You know what I mean? And so when people tell me that, it's awesome, and it feels like they've grown up with us too, and, you know, we're all family. You know, I call people that watched us, I call them family. So, yeah, for sure. This is definitely. This is definitely dope to me and to still be doing it. You know what I mean?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, and exactly. And that's what I wanted to talk to you about today, because I think specifically for child stars, it's always a transition for us into adulthood. I mean, you know it. So I want to ask you a little bit, like, first, let me actually go back. How did you get into performing?

[Kel Mitchell]

Ooh.

[Coco Jones]

Okay. So Chi Town. Chi Town. Let's go back. So south side of Chicago, I was definitely a class clown. I love to just entertain. I didn't know about getting on tv. I didn't know anything about that. And I wasn't trying to be my thing was I was trying to make everybody laugh. You know what I mean? That was my thing. And so I would imitate everything that I saw on tv, you know, different comedians, you know, Eddie Murphy, you know, of course, John Ritter. Cause I watched Three.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, John Ritter all the time.

[Coco Jones]

I want to give him his flowers, you know, rest in peace. But, you know, I used to watch him late at night, and I was supposed to be asleep on a school night, but I had the old school TV and I had my covers over and I would watch Three's Company. And I remember he played himself and a cousin in an episode, and he was back and forth trying to trick everybody. And it just really just showed me, like, physical skill and stuff like that as far as comedy. But, yeah, my parents tried everything. They were like, you know, this kid, I don't want him to get in trouble. He got friends that's on the up and up, and then he got friends that's not on the up and up. And so we gotta put them into something. So shout out to my mom and dad. Education was very important to them. And keeping us active and consistently active in programs in Chicago definitely helped us out. Cause, you know, they were just like, nah, y'all can't just be here idle and getting into stuff. You gotta go do things. And theater was the one that stuck to me, you know, ETA Creative Arts foundation on the south side of the chi. I went there for the summer. And I went there for the summer. We had seen theater plays there a lot, but I went there for the summer and it just changed my life. And I was like, oh, this is what I need to be doing. It was that.

[Keke Palmer]

How old were you?

[Coco Jones]

I want to say maybe 12. I was about 12 years old. And then also, too, around the same time, in eighth grade, we used to put on talent shows at Rosen Christian High School, right? And so I was there, and I wanted to be MC Hammer. So I played Marley Luther King.

[Keke Palmer]

And I played him, not Martin and MC Hammer.

[Coco Jones]

I did right one scene, I was Martin. And then at the end, they let me close out and do too legit to quit. And when I tell you I really thought I was Hammer, like my sister. My sister's a beautician, so she cut my hair the right way, had all the parts, and I had, like, I wanna say, 15 dancers behind me. You know what I mean?

[Keke Palmer]

And.

[Coco Jones]

Cause, you know, he came with the crew and we went in and people really thought I was, to this day, I got homies that was like, Younger than me that were at the school and was like, yo, I thought you was hammered like you were. But that's when they knew. They like, yo, this. This kid needs to be in something my family. You know what I mean?

[Keke Palmer]

So, yeah, how did you get to the all that auditions in that in between time you was doing theater, you had already kind of been playing around with professional performing. But then here comes this big audition that I don't even know was Nickelodeon was big at that time. But obviously, I associate with Nickelodeon's blowing up on your entrance. So what was your understanding of Nickelodeon at that time?

[Coco Jones]

So I remember when it came along, it was like, I think, like, Clarissa Explains it all and Roundhouse.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, I remember that show.

[Coco Jones]

But all that changed the game.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, you didn't know Kenan before then, did you? Or did y'all met on the all that set?

[Coco Jones]

We met on the all that set. And where we saw it was we did a sketch called Mavis and Clavis, like, in the first season, and we had to introduce tlc. And when we did that, it was just like we were finishing each other's, like, jokes and sentences, and it was just working. And then, you know, he's from Atlanta, I'm from Chicago. Our moms are, like, just like twins almost. You know what I mean? And so. And they still cool to this day. And they started putting us in everything together, like, every sketch together. Cause we knew, like, oh, this is crazy. And then the offset, Kenan and I just kept it going like the jokes.

[Keke Palmer]

So you guys just had immediate chemistry and became really good friends. And then the show saw that, and it birthed Kenan and Kel.

[Coco Jones]

It birthed Kenan and Kel. The writers, they were seeing that, and we were like, yo. And they were like, yo, this is gonna be different. This is gonna be like a Fresh Prince, a Martin type of show. So to be doing both shows at the same time, sketch in, that was definitely a blessing.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I think, again, what you're talking about with, like, all that and just the entrance to Kenan and Kel was like, that was the first time I seen black representation. You know, that felt so authentic. And then not only so authentic in. In what was around me, but also, like, happy and just good family. Like, you and Keenan, y'all were so damn cool. But it was never anything like crazy. Like, when I look back at the show recently, I saw, like, Malcolm X on the wall, Martin Luther King, Tupac. Like, there was so much positive representation, not only in the actions and the vibes. Of the character facts, but also just the way the aesthetic of the show looked like there was so much Black Pride put into it. And I imagine was that just because of that being how you and Kenan were and the producers and the writers being inspired by that, they totally checked.

[Coco Jones]

Our vibe and how we got down. I was very like that. You know what I mean? I was very militant. I represented black culture, like all of that, you know, and, you know, and it was beautiful to have that and then shout out too, because I know every time we mentioned kenaniquel, we need to mention, you know, the black creator of that show, which is Kim Bass. Kim Bass created that show, and he also created Sister Sister at the same time. So you had Sister Sister and kenanquelle. And if you look at Sister Sister and Kenani Kel, there's some parallels there because he created both shows.

[Keke Palmer]

Absolutely. And very much so. Was it black? It was like wholesome Black Pride. They had culture, they had swag. They was talking about the things that everybody was like, oh, this is cool. This is fly. But there was like no degradation. And I remember for me growing up, that's how I always felt like we all, you know, you know, as a black person, black people in America and all over the world, there's hardships that we have. But for me and my family, we always were such in a celebratory place. We had our moments where we acknowledged what's going on. But it was so much love and appreciation for having joy that I always felt like, you know, watching that show Kenny and the Kill, watching Sister Sister, that to me felt like what my world look like. So I always appreciated that. Baby, this is Kiki Palma. Yeah. If these April showers got you feeling some type of way, your girl Kiki knows exactly what you need. Some time to reconnect with nature, courtesy of Airbnb. Whether you're craving a mountain escape where you can literally touch the clouds or need to get your Zen on in a desert oasis, these homes are giving return to nature realness in the best way possible. This time of year, I start getting antsy. Y'all know I've been working hard these past few months, and, baby, me and Leo desperately need some time away. So what's a girl to do? Take myself on over to Airbnb to find a guest favorite home in the middle of nowhere. Right now, I got my eyes on a cute little cottage tucked away in the forest. I gotta make sure that the place is private, well stocked and cozy for the gods. Bonus points if it Has a crystal clear view of the stars and a lake where I can get my fishing on. And if you're like me, Airbnb's got you covered. Whether you're trying to escape the mountains, forests, or, yes, even the desert, we're talking authentic experiences with more space and more privacy in the most magical locations. Book your next adventure today and let nature do its thing. My guest today is an actress, producer, and entrepreneur who has been breaking barriers from a young age. You probably know her from her role as Diane on hit show Black Ish, or as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood history for her film Little. She's continuing to make waves with her production company, Genius Productions, and her latest project, Saturdays. Marsai Martin, welcome to the show. Hello, girl. Like I was saying, I feel like every time that I see you, I only get, like, five minutes here and there. This is our first time being, you know, sitting down and getting down.

[Jesse McCartney]

Sitting down and talking. Like, for real. For real. No, I'm excited.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, how have you been? Like I was saying, I mean, you're only 20 years old. Yes. And you've already accomplished so much. I mean, how do you feel approaching all those different roles? Did it ever feel like too much or kind of like your birthright?

[Jesse McCartney]

Oh, man, it's like. I think it's like. Like my birthright, honestly. I think it's something that I just do for fun, just to have a good time. I always look at either, like, a script or just a certain project, and I'm like, okay, like, just, let's try it out. Let's do it. I think, like, my parents always tell me, like, if it doesn't become fun for you anymore, we can move on to the next thing. And I think that's the beauty about just being young and being very experimental with the things that I do. And, yeah, I think that's just always.

[Keke Palmer]

Been the goal and having encouraging parents, because my parents used to say that same thing too, where if it ain't fine, then don't do it. And that kept kind of pressure, even though you do feel a little bit pressure as a child entertainer.

[Jesse McCartney]

Oh, for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

It helps to balance it. So how did you get into entertainment and where are you from?

[Jesse McCartney]

I'm from Dallas. I'm from Dallas, Texas. Yeah. You know, a little Texas baby. But, yeah, I'm from Dallas, Texas. I started modeling when I was, like, little.

[Keke Palmer]

Little.

[Jesse McCartney]

But I started acting when I was five.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Kel Mitchell]

Raven Simone.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, just a little, y'all.

[JoJo Siwa]

Just a little.

[Jesse McCartney]

Just a little bit. And of course, it was like model work, like. Like print and all those things at first, and then it grew into something bigger. And then one day, it was. It was a lot. We took holiday photos for my grandparents back in Dallas, and the photographer was like, I will give you guys a discount if you take her to this acting class. So that was. That was pretty much like the start of it, for sure. Which was Kathy Sullivan.

[Keke Palmer]

Hey, Kathy.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah, that was the beginning. And, I mean, we only did just a few sessions. And from there I got my LA agent from Back and Forth. From Dallas. Yeah, back and forth from Dallas.

[Keke Palmer]

So y'all never officially moved until maybe you got Blackish. Was that it? It was.

[Jesse McCartney]

I think if. If I'm not mistaken, it was like about a year or so before going into Black. Ish. And I remember my agent back then in cesd, Melissa Berger.

[Keke Palmer]

Cesd, I always remember as a kid, that was the agent.

[Jesse McCartney]

It's like, you know, that is the agency.

[Keke Palmer]

You knew a kid was serious.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, a kid.

[Jesse McCartney]

If they had that in voiceovers. Tell me, tell me. You know, a kid is in the studio working right now as we speak.

[Keke Palmer]

And.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah, so Melissa called my parents and was like, it would be just way better if you guys would come here and. Meaning la.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Jesse McCartney]

And it was just like, it's a different energy from, you know, just recording tapes versus when you're actually in the room. So then my parents sat me down at this time, I'm probably like, eight.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Okay.

[Jesse McCartney]

And they're like, are you sure you wanna do this? And I'm like, yes. You know, and all the trust that they put in me when I was just that little is exceptional. And from there, I mean, it was such a process. We moved to Huntington beach first, which is still very far from la and.

[Keke Palmer]

So different from Dallas. You went from no water to water, west coast, supervised.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah, but both of my parents are from LA as well, so it's not. We didn't know, like, the space. My grandpa lived there at the time in Anaheim, so it was still very familiar, but obviously it was like, auditions used to be in, like, the heart of la, so we would be driving two hours, like, there and back.

[Keke Palmer]

No, for real.

[Jesse McCartney]

And my dad was still working at the time. It was a lot. It was a lot. And it was always me and my mom doing auditions. And my dad would be. Was a car salesman, period.

[Keke Palmer]

Selling them cars. I would get the talent from.

[Jesse McCartney]

No, right?

[Kel Mitchell]

No.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. The charisma. Yes.

[JoJo Siwa]

I would see him.

[Jesse McCartney]

I would only see him, like, really at night. But my mom eventually was like, it's 10 toes down. Like, we got, like. So eventually it's a family business. Yeah, eventually he let go of his job and we all really just put our best foot forward into anything that we did. And, you know, fast forward to now we have our production company, and of course, we are co workers in a sense, but now we just love to create. We love to create different things, whether it's just. Just projects on TV and film, but also just things that build community outside of that, you know. So I think it's just been an amazing, amazing journey.

[Keke Palmer]

And it's just I relate to so much of what you're saying. The way that I see, obviously, I love entertaining, but the way that my family and I saw it, especially with all the sacrifices that you have to make in order to be in this business, we saw it as a family business and we all knew the roles we had to play, even if it seemed odd or different to other people. Because when people are like, your parents ain't got no job. It's like, no, this is their job.

[Kel Mitchell]

No, this is it.

[Keke Palmer]

Running my career.

[Jesse McCartney]

Exactly.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, we're all in this together. Hashtag High School Musical.

[Jesse McCartney]

Oh, for sure. So you still see a lot of, like, child actors now that will go to these events, and I don't know if you've seen it, but, like, they'll go to these events without their parents, and they'll be there with their agent or their manager. Cause they think that's how it's supposed to be. But literally, like, everybody knows, like, and you see me, you see either my mom and you see me, you see my dad. Like, it's a thing, you know, and it doesn't matter at what age, but it really just. It's a security thing, you know, it's like you want to be in the community.

[Keke Palmer]

They got your back, and, you know.

[Jesse McCartney]

They got your back, and they know.

[Keke Palmer]

They got your damn brand with me. So why would we stop now?

[Jesse McCartney]

Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

[Keke Palmer]

So let's talk about Blackish, because that's when I was first introduced to you and I'm sure a lot of the world, because that show was huge and, you know, always going to be huge in our culture. What was that experience like for you growing up on television? I mean, how old was you when you started and how old was you when you ended it?

[Jesse McCartney]

Ooh. So I was. When we started.

[Keke Palmer]

Wow.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah. And I was 17 when we ended.

[Keke Palmer]

Dang, girl, that's so special. Yeah. We have Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Dion Cole, Jennifer. I mean, working and growing up with icons in both drama and comedy.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

What was it? I mean, did you. You probably didn't know initially, but then maybe by the time you were 17, it hit you.

[Jesse McCartney]

Honestly, it didn't really hit me until the show ended. If we're gonna be very real, you know, I think. Cause I saw these people as, like, my family. And of course, I knew Tracy from Girlfriends and, like, Jennifer Lewis playing Mama Odie.

[Keke Palmer]

Like Kangaroo Jack.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yes, I did.

[Keke Palmer]

I used to love that as a kid. I did.

[Jesse McCartney]

And it's actually hilarious. Cause I saw it when we were still in the auditioning process for Black Ish. Because I didn't know. I'm not gonna lie.

[Keke Palmer]

I didn't know what that was. I mean, seriously. Yeah.

[Jesse McCartney]

Cause I was like, I don't know what that is, but I watched it and of course I knew Anthony. So. Yeah, I think it was just, like, such a cool family dynamic, and it was one of those things that, like, you don't really know what you have until it's gone.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Jesse McCartney]

And I think it was like, oh, that was so. It was so fun. It was very, very special. And a lot of people called it like a unicorn set because of how loving everybody was. Like, from the cast, the crew, the writers. It was so much passion behind the project.

[Keke Palmer]

I think those are really special because even if you do a show where it's like, it doesn't have to be one extreme or the other. A lot of times it's just in the middle. We come to work, we're professional, we leave. It's not always that you feel like you. My family. For real. Yeah. So when that happens, it does do something different to you, you know.

[Jesse McCartney]

Absolutely.

[Keke Palmer]

It feels like you're at home. Yeah. So the show ends, but you continue to know what you're gonna do right after that. I mean, your production company had already been started. Or did you start it at the ending of the show?

[Jesse McCartney]

No, I actually started it after Little, which I believe was 4 or 5 of blackish, if I'm. If I'm not mistaken.

[Keke Palmer]

And you were. You were how old?

[Jesse McCartney]

I think I was 13 when we started filming Little, but I pitched little at, like, 10, so. And we know how long, like, films take to put together, so.

[Keke Palmer]

So, yeah, that was on set to Kenya Ferris. Yes.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yes. I think the finale of season one. That's when the Little Journey really started for. For the film.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. And what was that experience? Like? Obviously, in the beginning, you said, you know, you mentioned it, you pitched it at 10, and then the process going. By the time that you were 13 and you actually were on set filming it, how were you taking on that role? Because this is the first time of you being a producer, I imagine.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah, for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

How was that for you, and how was it with your parents in supporting you in that position?

[Jesse McCartney]

Well, I was just learning, you know, I was doing what I was just there to do, you know, which was not only act and be a.

[Keke Palmer]

Give your opinion. Yeah.

[Jesse McCartney]

And give my opinion. And then also learning what that opinion means to people. And I think for that film in particular, it was really just a learning curve of just me trying to find my voice and seeing just how it works. In a sense, it's like, okay, so if I say this, then what? Then does this happen? Or, like, you know, am I gonna say this and nothing's gonna happen?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. What is my power?

[Jesse McCartney]

What is my power?

[Keke Palmer]

Exactly.

[Jesse McCartney]

So I think for that in particular, it was one of those things that.

[Keke Palmer]

I was just happy to be there.

[Jesse McCartney]

Like, I was just happy to have a film that we created from the ground up and see it come to fruition. While also learning what.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Jesse McCartney]

While also learning what a producer means.

[Keke Palmer]

What sign are you?

[Jesse McCartney]

I'm a Leo.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm a triple delegator, period. I'm about to delegate and put y'all together, and I know y'all gonna work, and we gonna get this popping. Yes. Yes.

[Jesse McCartney]

So that's always what I love. So I love being like, like, in.

[Keke Palmer]

The thick of it.

[Jesse McCartney]

That's me. Like, I want to be in the casting process.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm a triple Leo.

[Jesse McCartney]

I'm a triple Leo, period.

[Keke Palmer]

When's your birthday? August.

[Jesse McCartney]

August 14th.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. My best friend's August 9th. I'm August 26th. I have some of the Leo vibe, but, you know, I'm Virgo all over.

[Jesse McCartney]

Yeah. So that's.

[Keke Palmer]

Why would I do this?

[Jesse McCartney]

Nah, that's my sister. She's 8, and she's like, lord, have mercy.

[Keke Palmer]

Hilarious. I am absolutely thrilled to have today's guest on the show. Okay. She is a powerhouse singer and actress who has been lighting up our screens and playlist. Okay. You might know her as Hillary Banks on the show Bel Air or from her hit Grammy winning single icu. Either way, y'all, you're in for a treat. Okay. Please welcome to the show, the amazing Coco John.

[Kel Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

First of all, we was just kikiing about the Capricorn Virgo energy that's going down.

[Kel Mitchell]

I don't know what it is in my life. It's just a consistent. So I just Feel like we just go together.

[Keke Palmer]

I just love Capricorns because they're evolved. They're gonna keep a secret. They're gonna hold you down. Very ambitious, laid back, cool. In the cut, they about their business real.

[Kel Mitchell]

But you know what? I think we have such, like, such a strict, rough energy that it's like with our friends, sometimes we like, okay, I need to soften up. Because I'm like, why don't you get that? Why wouldn't you get it? Like, how is that not clicking?

[Keke Palmer]

It's true. Because I feel like sometimes y'all seem robotic, but it's because y'all are reserving the emotions.

[Kel Mitchell]

You know what I mean?

[Keke Palmer]

My sister's like, that.

[Kel Mitchell]

That part too. It's rough. I'm like, I'm feeling you, but I'm just like, what's the solution? Is how I'm thinking for it, but I'm feeling you. It's rough.

[Keke Palmer]

Well, I mean, we've known you for years. Obviously, I always talk about. Cause you were in this movie with Tyler James Williams and also Trevor Jackson, two of my guys, and Let It Shine, which was a huge hit for Disney. That's when I first met you. But I want to go back to even before then, and I really want to talk about how people can really get to know you. I mean, obviously you've had the Grammy winning icu. Your music has been blowing up. You've been taking over social media. Where did it start? Like, where did you come from? And I know your mother was a singer. Take me back to the beginning of how you got into the industry.

[Kel Mitchell]

Yeah, I mean, the beginning was Nashville. I was born in South Carolina, raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Girl. And I just started from zero. I mean, literally, I did so many things for free that I'm like, I was really giving the voice out. Like, I remember I sang the demo for an entire Broadway show. It was called Mississippi. I don't know if it ever went on, but, you know, I sang the entire thing. Didn't get the part. I didn't even audition for the. It was just so my voice could be on the demo so they could sell the show, you know, Like, I did so many things for free. And that's how I got my start. I would live perform, I would do talent competitions. I would perform at my school talent shows. And then I just wanted more. I remember I was like, there's not enough opportunity. This is just here and there. And so my mom was like, you want to audition? And that's when I started acting as well. And I mean, non speaking roles, girl. I was in the background of Hannah Montana, the movie in the crowd, girl. I went up to the front, they told me, get back to the bed. And that's okay because it wasn't right with continuity. I didn't understand at the time. I was like, I thought they were trying to dim my light. And I was like, never again will you get the chance to play me. But it was really about continuity. So that's why never will you get.

[Keke Palmer]

The chance to play me. Never again will you get the chance to play me. So you moved from Nashville to California?

[Kel Mitchell]

Yeah, when I was 17.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, when you were 17. So what was that process? Were you like, mom and Dad, I need more opportunities. We've been doing our thing in Nashville, but it's not enough. Like, what was that transition?

[Kel Mitchell]

It was literally verbatim that. But my family was like, we not going. We don't want to go over there. So we love you. So you gotta graduate from high school, graduate early, and then you can go. That was like, the stipulation. But I just felt like I had outgrown Nashville. I mean, I love my roots, but I think I wanted to do R and B. I wanted to do more pop, honestly. And I just couldn't find enough of that there on my own. So I wanted to get where I thought all those opportunities would be.

[Keke Palmer]

And did you get a little taste of that when you had did let it shine? Because I imagine you didn't let it shine before you moved to California.

[Kel Mitchell]

Yes, yes.

[Keke Palmer]

So let's talk about that experience. You got the role. They took you to la. Was this your first time being in Cali?

[Kel Mitchell]

No, I came to LA every year for pilot season.

[Raven-Symoné]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. So I like a true actor, like a true entertainer.

[Kel Mitchell]

Thank you. Okay, so it was giving, like, every summer, I tell my friends, I mean, like, you're not gonna see me no more. You're loved. You're loved. You're not gonna see me no more. I'm like, I'm up. I'm next. I'm next with love, period. And I come back every fall like, hey, hey, hey, y'all. How y'all doing? How y'all doing? Let's lock back in. We friends again. But, yeah, so I went out there every year and I started to develop friendships and everything. So it became a part of my life that I felt comfortable going by myself back to. But I auditioned like any other thing, you know, the callbacks get smaller and smaller and smaller until I remember I was the only girl reading With Tyler and Trevor. And I was like, what does that mean? But I still was like too scared to have my hopes in it. So I was like, I don't know what it means. I'm not gonna say anything. I got the job. And that is the taste that I got, you know, So I can't, you know, when you get that, that, that taste of success and what it can be. And also Disney is just a well oiled machine, you know what I'm saying?

[Keke Palmer]

And they teach you how to do that's one of the main things that I think about when I worked with Disney and Nickelodeon is that they kind of show you how to just figure it all out. The marketing, the presenting yourself, being hosties, performing, you know, all that kind of stuff.

[Kel Mitchell]

Balancing interview questions, balancing school and work, learning a script, learning choreo, learning music. Like, you literally leave that, like, ready to go.

[Keke Palmer]

No, it's like some vaudeville, MGM type vibe.

[Kel Mitchell]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Straight up.

[Kel Mitchell]

Very much that.

[Keke Palmer]

So when you had that experience, what did that kind of teach you about yourself or the kind of entertainer you wanted to be?

[Kel Mitchell]

You know what? At the time, I didn't really understand who I wanted to be. I was like, oh, you just do what people tell you to do and that's how you get there.

[Keke Palmer]

Especially as a kid acting, you know.

[Kel Mitchell]

As a kid, that's all, you know? And I'm like, I just will be the nicest, easiest to work with, no pushback, do everything they tell me to do, and I'm gonna succeed. So when I wouldn't get jobs, I was like, what happened? Cause I literally did everything y'all asked me to do. What happened? Cause I sang as hard, I sang harder than some of these girlies. Like, what?

[Keke Palmer]

And Let It Shine was a huge success. Let's get that right. I remember even in the, you know, because we were still. I was a kid actor at the same time as you. And I remember when that came out, everybody's like, let it shine, let it shine. And it was huge. So I think people don't understand how difficult that is in this industry. It seems like once you hit, you just hit and it's just it. But no, it has ups and downs. Sometimes your stuff is going and then other times you're trying to figure out your way out. So when you went back to Nashville and you decided to, I guess in the next few years go back to California, what was the conversation you were having with yourself about your expectations? You know what I mean? Especially having gone through that.

[Kel Mitchell]

Yes, yes. So I was so disappointed My poor little child heart I was. I also think I was just too sheltered, but, like, how could I not be when all I did school audition, sing studio, school audition. Like, I didn't have a real grip on life and how it might just not always care about you back, you know, I didn't understand that concept at all. So after I did let it shine, there was all these expectations that that was told to me, like, TV show and this and this. And I got signed, and so I was like, okay, cool. It's all happening now. I knew the formula worked. You be great, you work hard, you're being easy to work with, and then you'll succeed. And then, girl, I got dropped from that label and I went back to Tennessee, and I just was trying to finish school. I was just, you know, homeschooled at that point because I was so busy. I. I had stopped going to real school. So now I'm just doing homeschool, waiting on my siblings to get home and watching so much YouTube. I was so into it. I would watch interviews all the time. I would watch Ellen DeGeneres interviews. I would watch performances.

[Keke Palmer]

I fell in love with socials too. Yes.

[Kel Mitchell]

It was like an escape because I was like, I need to be there. I'm here and I need to be there. And it was a tough, tough moment as a kid to just not lose your value, because I thought, dang, maybe, maybe they seeing something that I'm not seeing.

[Keke Palmer]

People don't understand, specifically with music. Like, I think obviously it's tough with acting, the auditions. That's a heartbreak. It's hard to keep putting yourself out. But there's something different with music when you get signed, and there's something that you just know. You know, I'm strong at this.

[Kel Mitchell]

I could sing.

[Keke Palmer]

It should be that easy. And then they're denying you, or they're not valuing you, or they're forcing you to be something that you're not. People hear this story all the time, and I'm sure it feels like a broken record, but it really does hurt. It really is hard to kind of then figure out, okay, where am I going from this? And where's the story I'm going to tell?

[Kel Mitchell]

Yeah. But you know what I always think about, too? I'm like, really? If things would have went the way I wanted, I would be a absolute nutbag right now. Cause I had no identity. All I knew how to do was follow scripts and do what people told me. I had no personality. I had no life experience. I didn't have A boyfriend. I had never kissed nobody. I had nothing, girl. I just knew I had jobs and that's all I cared about. I would've been crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, so we're 17. You decide to go to LA on your own. Parents are like, yo, do. Yo do your big one. Who did you stay with? Like, would you.

[Kel Mitchell]

Lily Solo? Cause I know it's so scary and, like, crazy grown.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Kel Mitchell]

I was, like, making my way downtown, so I actually. I moved in with a couple that I had met from Let It Shine. I guess they were like his mentors and, like, watching him in a way, and his friends in a way. But they were, you know, older than bus, and they were younger friends in a way.

[Keke Palmer]

And I was like.

[Kel Mitchell]

I don't know. What is the correct term for that? Sada and Kenny. Y'all know what it is and what it ain't. But, yeah, they. We just loved them. My mom trusted them to, like, watch over me, like, how they would do for Tyler. And so I moved into their apartment, like, their house. They had a bedroom, and I stayed in one room. And I did that for, I don't know, like, six or seven months. And then I booked this theater show in New York. So then I had to go and be by myself. I didn't have, like, that little leeway into adulthood. And I was like, if you can make it in New York, we can make it anywhere. But, yeah, girl, I was scared to tell.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Okay, so it's like all these different things. We have Nashville, then we have you moving to la, then you had to move to New York. Now, for me, when I moved to New York, also doing theater, I feel like it changed my life. Yeah, like, it literally changed my Life. I was 21 at the time, and I think it was the first moment for me, especially just performing so much as a kid. And I stopped going to real school in fifth grade. I was like, wow. So people care about things other than entertainment, because you in California, that's all anybody care about.

[Kel Mitchell]

That's all they want to ask about.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't mean to say it so cliche like that, but it is a big part of California.

[Kel Mitchell]

I mean, nobody's there to make friends. They're there to make it.

[Keke Palmer]

That's true.

[Kel Mitchell]

So they really don't know how to, like, make friends.

[Keke Palmer]

And so when I went to New York, it really allowed me to kind of explore different aspects of myself that I think really did help me discover even more for myself what kind of artist I wanted to be.

[Kel Mitchell]

What age did you Move there.

[Keke Palmer]

I was 21, and I stayed there just for about, like, six months. And even in that six months, because everybody had other interests, like, I could get into a different subculture. It wasn't so entertainment focused. Even though I was doing Broadway, which was entertainment, it was different. And so I just felt like, I don't know, it gave me an opportunity to find myself. Yeah, baby. This is Ike Palma. Yeah. Okay. Let me tell you guys, I have wanted to talk to this guest because he's someone I've been following for a really long time. He acted on All My children in the 90s. He was in Dream Street. He put out the album beautiful soul in 2004, which we all know. He's been making beautiful music ever since. Please welcome Jesse McCartney. Welcome to the show.

[Ali Michalka]

How are you? Keke? It's nice to meet you.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, it's amazing to meet you. I love you down. I've been a big fan for years, and it's so nice to have you on the show. How have you been? What's been going on lately?

[Ali Michalka]

I've been. Well, things have been going great. I just got off tour about a month ago. I put out a new EP just a few months back and been back in the music game now for a minute, and things have been going great. Traveling a lot. Been home for the last few weeks. Just kind of settling in. My wife and I are doing some construction on the house. So a little bit of trying to.

[Keke Palmer]

Balance a little bit of home, personally. A little bit of business.

[Ali Michalka]

Exactly. A little bit of domesticated life as well as, like, you know, traveling and touring and performing music and.

[Keke Palmer]

Are you from la? Are you from Cali?

[Ali Michalka]

I'm from New York.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, come on. Period.

[Ali Michalka]

I grew up in New York. Yeah?

[JoJo Siwa]

What part?

[Ali Michalka]

I grew up. So I was born in Chelsea, and then my folks moved to white plains, like 40 minutes outside of the city. Raised a family. You know, I feel like.

[Keke Palmer]

I do feel that east coast energy from you. I feel like that totally aligns.

[Ali Michalka]

It's still there, for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I feel that now. I mean, obviously, for me, one of my favorites from you is Beautiful Soul. I have to ask you, how many times you get stopped in the street, or do people just come up to you and sing that? Because I've been singing it this. Getting ready all day to talk to you. I'm like, I don't want another friend. It's too good.

[Ali Michalka]

I do. It's. I mean, that song has just been such a blessing. It's 20 years old. This year. So we released it in 2004. So it's now marked the 20 year part of my life. And it's incredible. It's really exciting now to see a whole new generation of young people sing the song.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ali Michalka]

Like I said, I got off tour and so there's been a lot of, like, gen zers and even younger, like, millennial moms bringing their babies to the show that are now singing Beautiful Soul. So that song has definitely come full circle. And yeah, that record has definitely given me so much.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, so I wanna talk today about reinvention, because you're somebody like me that went from. I mean, you were successful child star, then were in group, you know, and then became a successful pop star. So I wanna just go back to the beginning, going from you being a child entertainer, you run All My Children. How did you know what was going on in your life? Had you been acting for a while? How did you get to become a part of that?

[Ali Michalka]

So, I mean, it was. It was a long road. I started out as a young child actor on. On stage mostly. I did a lot of theater growing up. And I attribute that to both my parents in the 70s and 80s. They did a lot of theater growing up in New York too. Yeah. So they. They kind of raised me in like a very musical family. And by the time I was like 8 or 9 years old, I was doing local productions with my folks. And somebody told my mom, hey, you know, you should bring him down to Manhattan and see how he tries his hand professionally. And my first role was on the national tour of the King and I. Yeah. And so that was like my first. That's how I cut my teeth on stage. I was nine. I was nine years old. Little baby, baby Jesse.

[Keke Palmer]

Got my start at nine, too.

[Ali Michalka]

Yeah. And then that sort of snowballed and I did what every young child actor does, goes to auditions in the city. And I was auditioning for, you know, Cinnamon Grams commercials and, you know, Charmin and Cha Cha Cha and doing all the things. And then eventually my first TV gig was on All My Children. I was like 11 or 12.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ali Michalka]

And, yeah, I got to work alongside Susan Lucci and Michael Knight and Josh Duhamel and a lot of big actors that came off that show much later. And I was on the show for a few years and then, yeah, things just sort of took off from there. But it started in New York on the East Coast.

[Keke Palmer]

How was it working on that show, especially coming from doing mostly stage to kind of getting into tv? It's a different vibe what was your experience like?

[Ali Michalka]

It's incredibly difficult. The soap world doesn't get enough credit for the amount of work and really? Yeah, I feel like first of all, it's pages and pages and pages of dialogue that you have to memorize. They shoot an entire 50 page episode every day. So it's like a real test, you know, a real memory test. And you know, I. That's definitely, I think, kind of. It grew me up pretty quickly in terms of, you know, being a professional and learning your lines and having to show up on set and be prepared. And there were a couple days I wasn't and I really, you know, I got hammered for it. You know, it was like, hey, you got to know your lines and you get to set anyway. But yeah, that was, it was tough.

[Keke Palmer]

Some discipline.

[Ali Michalka]

Discipline. It definitely instilled a lot of discipline and I got to work with some incredible people and. But yeah, that was sort of my first TV experience.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ali Michalka]

And then at that point we moved back more into music and I started with a boy band, Dream street, right after that.

[Keke Palmer]

So for you, coming out of All My Children, did you feel like you had to make a choice to like, okay, I'm gonna now focus on music or would you be trying to also balance acting with that?

[Ali Michalka]

Yeah, I was so young that that really all I cared about was entertaining, like you said. So it didn't really matter where the stage was or who I was performing to, whether it was television or being on stage and doing Broadway. I just really enjoyed performing. And, you know, I did grow up singing and acting. I felt like I could kind of jump around from one to the other. But eventually, you know, when you really want to get great at something, you kind of have to put all of your eggs into one basket for a little bit of time.

[Keke Palmer]

It's true.

[Ali Michalka]

And, and so that's when, at least for some cheap. It's true. And so that's when the music thing started sort of presenting itself as like a full time job and I started writing and started making music and sort of, you know, building this, this career as a young solo artist.

[Keke Palmer]

So how did Dream street come about? Like, it was this producer you knew, your parents helped put this together. How did y'all become a group?

[Ali Michalka]

Yeah, so Dream street was like, you know, right on the heels.

[Keke Palmer]

Remember that too, baby.

[Ali Michalka]

Do you really?

[Keke Palmer]

Of course.

[Ali Michalka]

I mean, it was such a. It was such a cult little following. I mean, we really started growing in like the tri state area of New York and that's where we buil our fan base. And we were popular among, like, young Disney fans, right, because we were on Disney radio back in the day.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause that lay me down.

[Ali Michalka]

That's it. That's it. Got it, man. You know, so, yeah, I mean, Dream street was put together. We were right on the heels of, like, NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. And I think that the producers were trying to create this new boy band. I was 12 years old, 13, but.

[Keke Palmer]

So y'all were younger. Y'all weren't. You know, it was kind of really for the.

[Ali Michalka]

Getting the kids much younger. And, yeah, they had, like, a cattle call of, like, you know, hundreds of BO came in, you know, auditioned, sang, danced, and I was never a very good dancer, so I was sort of, like, leaning on my vocals to get me through.

[Keke Palmer]

Vocals was always strong, though. We just need a little rock.

[Ali Michalka]

That's right. That's it.

[Kel Mitchell]

So.

[Ali Michalka]

But yeah, so we did that. I was, you know, we were together for a few years, and we got pretty far. I mean, we ended up opening for Britney Spears at one point, and, like, that was. Which was amazing. And then the band dismembered after, I don't know, a few. A few years. But that was sort of the stepping stone. And what would become the beginning of, like, this new solo career, go from.

[Keke Palmer]

All My Children, then to be in this group, and then thrust it into touring. I don't think people understand, like, how difficult touring is. Like, the few times that I've had my experience with touring and never any, like, you know, I'm thinking about Britney Spears. You probably guys went everywhere around America. That's a pretty heavy duty tour. That's a lot of work as a. As a. As a kid. But you loved it. Was touring something that came easy for you, that you enjoyed, like, all the traveling and kind of being away from home?

[Ali Michalka]

Well, then, for sure now, now at 37, let me tell you, it's a lot harder. But yes, no, it was. It was something that I just, like I said, it was just. I was with a bunch of guys who I enjoyed being around. I was with my people. You know, it was other. Other young people who enjoyed performing and singing and, you know, how a lot of young people get on sports teams. I was part of this, like, music group, and it was a community that I was comfortable being around. And you do grow up fast because you're traveling and you're working alongside mostly adults. Definitely pulling all the strings. But. But, yeah, it was. It was. I just have nothing but great memories of. Of those times where you're traveling and you're opening up for, you know, pop icons.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ali Michalka]

Britney and. And Justin. Actually, Timberlake came backstage during one of the shows, and he. We didn't know he was gonna be there, but at the time, of course, you know, NSYNC was, like, our boy band hero, of course. And we didn't know he was there. And he came backstage and he was, like, making sure we were ready for the show. He's like, you're not nervous, are you? We are now. He's, like, doing all of our moves with us and, like, do a 5, 6, 7 backstage and just kind of getting us ready for the show. But it was, like, one of those moments of, like, oh, we're really doing this. We're. We've made it, you know, And Brittany's.

[Keke Palmer]

One of my faves. How was it being on tour with her?

[Ali Michalka]

It was great. I mean, we didn't see much of her. You know, most opening act. You know how it goes.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, yeah, they're in and out.

[Ali Michalka]

They're in and out. You know, you see them once in a blue moon, like, walking down the hallway. But she was lovely. She was super nice. And I think we were on tour with her for a few weeks. But, yeah, I just remember performing in front of, like, tens of thousands of people every night and just thinking, like, insane. This is definitely what I want to do forever, you know? This is amazing.

[Keke Palmer]

This is Keke Palmer from Jump in, and you're watching Disney Channel. Wow, guys, it's been a while since I've said that, but we love a little nostalgia, don't we? I mean, that's why I'm thrilled to welcome my next guest to the show. You know, and love their music, and they definitely know a thing or two about Disney Channel. Please welcome to the show Ali and AJ. What's up, girls? You guys know I'm obsessed with you as talented, amazing entertainers, but also as humans. Because I've known you guys for such a long time. I mean, I'm just so excited that you guys are coming to the show. So thank you, first of all, for coming and hanging out on Baby. No.

[JoJo Siwa]

We're so happy, and we feel the same.

[Marsai Martin]

Mutually obsessed. And we're so happy to be on the show.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Well, so today we're obviously talking about Disney Channel, and you guys are not new to Disney Channel. First of all, you're icons of it. So I have to first ask you, what was your favorite Disney Channel show growing up?

[Marsai Martin]

Erin Stevens.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah. This is a very, very simple answer. I would say Even Stevens, hands down, number one. We were big Lizzie McGuire fans. I would say that was in our number two. I'm curious what yours were.

[Keke Palmer]

So, I mean, I feel like we have similar tastes, because first of all, I loved Even Stevens. I mean, even Stevens, Shia on that show, Christy Carlson Romano. I mean, it was just so good. But then also Lizzie McGuire. I mean, who didn't love the little cartoon moment?

[JoJo Siwa]

I know, I know. And also, I feel like that was, like. That was very unique. That was something that wasn't like.

[Keke Palmer]

It was a Jiminy Cricket. Yeah, it was her. It was like her, you know, being aware of her consciousness. Like, it was kind of deep, but, like, in a very, like, kid way. So love. What else did I love? I love. Obviously, that's so I can see until. And I'm not just saying this because I'm on with you guys, but feel the future. I mean, come on. Feel of the future.

[Marsai Martin]

Great show.

[Keke Palmer]

Really good. Yeah. The future. You know it. 21st century.

[JoJo Siwa]

He's a 22nd century man.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, he's a 22nd century man. I really love that show.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. That's so crazy. Well, I mean, so we have Disney Channel shows, obviously, but then we also have dcoms. So what was your favorite Disney Channel original movie? I mean, you could pick your own.

[JoJo Siwa]

But no, no, I don't think ours is good. Ours, honestly was not that good. Although we were laughing because the ringer did some, like, breakdown of, like, 50 best, and we were, like, 48. And I was like, okay, that sounds about right.

[Keke Palmer]

We made it.

[JoJo Siwa]

We made it in there, but it's not the top. We really loved Johnny Tsunami.

[Keke Palmer]

You guys love Johnny Tsunami?

[Marsai Martin]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

I think most guy, mostly, I was always. Guys were always like, johnny Tsunami, Johnny. I always was like, no, Johnny Tsunami is a boy movie. I was just so regular.

[JoJo Siwa]

I think we liked the boy ones. I think we liked some of the boy ones.

[Keke Palmer]

Brink. Brink. I was about to say, did you like Brink?

[Marsai Martin]

Loved Frank.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yep.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God.

[JoJo Siwa]

Motocross.

[Keke Palmer]

Y'all loved all the boy. The main. That was like Disney Channel being like, these are for the boys.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah, totally. Totally.

[Marsai Martin]

And we were like, and us.

[Keke Palmer]

I love don't look under the bed. Because I felt like Disney was trying to be, like, goosebumpsy. You remember it was like, don't look under the bed.

[Marsai Martin]

Really?

[JoJo Siwa]

I remember that.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. When it was like, about the boogeyman. I love that. When it was kind of scary to me, too, as a kid. Love that one.

[Kel Mitchell]

I love.

[Keke Palmer]

Loved. Can we just talk about smart House.

[JoJo Siwa]

Smart House.

[Marsai Martin]

Love.

[JoJo Siwa]

Also such a good idea.

[Marsai Martin]

Katie Seagal. Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Come on. Smart House killed it. Who else killed it for dcoms? Well, I'll take you back. There was a really, really, really old school one that I love that starred. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. It was the girl from Grey's Anatomy. You're gonna know.

[Marsai Martin]

Katherine Heigl.

[Keke Palmer]

Katherine Heigl.

[Marsai Martin]

Wish Upon a Star.

[JoJo Siwa]

Wish Upon a Star. That's a great one. Also, that is for the girls. That is not for the boys.

[Keke Palmer]

So, yeah, as you can see, like, even though I'm very, like. I'm totally, like, masculine, too, at the same time, for whatever reason, the Disney Channel movies I loved always were the super girly ones. I always. I mean, Smart House was kind of in between, but, like, Wish upon the Star, honey. Life size.

[JoJo Siwa]

Life size. Technically. You know what, guys? I don't think life size was a dcom. I think it wasn't Life size and.

[Marsai Martin]

Wish Upon a Star. I believe those were both purchased. I don't think those were original decoms.

[Keke Palmer]

Wow.

[JoJo Siwa]

IMDb this. To get to the bottom of it.

[Marsai Martin]

They were bought, like, when a movie is bought for, like, Hallmark or Lifetime also.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. I wonder who really made that movie. I gotta look that up.

[JoJo Siwa]

Also, I feel like another one of those movies was. Do you remember that?

[Keke Palmer]

The.

[JoJo Siwa]

The President's Daughter one?

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my date with the President's Daughter. Yes, my date with her. Why did I do the note? I'm too much. Yo, that movie was. I love. I have to ask you guys, do you feel like the Disney Channel that we grew up on is the same Disney Channel that the kids are watching today?

[JoJo Siwa]

Absolutely not. No. Absolutely not. It has. No, it had. I. I just think. Well, first of all, I think a couple things. I think, one, it was, like, fresh and new, and they were doing something exciting in that, like, space of television. It was so good, and it was great. And like. Like the. The slow. The slow. Did you ever do one, like, slow jump? The slow jump thing. Were you ever in one of those?

[Keke Palmer]

I don't think I did the slow jump. I didn't do. I also didn't do the. Do the. You guys did the actual.

[JoJo Siwa]

No, AJ Never got one.

[Marsai Martin]

Just me only Ali.

[Keke Palmer]

You know why? Because you had to have a TV show. Yeah, I think so. That's why. If you didn't do a TV show. Because I never did a TV show. I did a dcom, but I never did a TV show. So if you had. You had your own show. So once you do that, then they let you do the thing, but even.

[Marsai Martin]

Crowd family and then you're on the job.

[JoJo Siwa]

Proud family didn't technically count.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, well, proud family. I'm on the new one, not the old one.

[JoJo Siwa]

Oh, that's right.

[Marsai Martin]

Oh, that's right.

[Keke Palmer]

I know. Isn't that crazy?

[JoJo Siwa]

You should have been on the original.

[Keke Palmer]

Man, that would have been insane if I was on. Oh my gosh, I'm so happy that I'm on the new one too. Now that is surprised you weren't Penny proud. Yeah, that was Kyla Pratt shout outs to Kyla Proud. That was Kyla.

[Marsai Martin]

Shout out to Kyla. She's really good.

[JoJo Siwa]

She's great.

[Keke Palmer]

I know you know her Dr. Doolittle loving basketball, right?

[JoJo Siwa]

No, of course.

[Marsai Martin]

She's amazing.

[Keke Palmer]

So I agree with you guys. I actually do feel like the Disney Channel that we grew up on is not the same. And for a while I was kind of thinking like, is it just because I'm an adult? You know what I mean? You know how that is when you're like, oh, maybe it's actually me. Like I'm not a part of the current generation, so I don't like get it. But I do think it's different. And I wonder, like, I don't know, I think when I think about the, the late 90s and the early 2000s, the version of Disney Channel that we grew up on. I agree what you guys are saying. Where it was like it was fresh, it was new. But then I also feel like it was also like not talking down to the generation. Like I feel like it was, it was comedies and it was funny, but it was also talking about real issues.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah, I agree.

[Keke Palmer]

So now I gotta ask you guys, I mean, I know this could be controversial, but I think, you know, you gotta ask it. Were you always a Disney kid or were you a Nick kid at a certain point?

[Marsai Martin]

Always Disney.

[JoJo Siwa]

Always Disney. And it's funny because from little, because really. Yeah, from little kids we were always obsessed with, especially me. Like with Mickey Mouse. Like that was like a thing would.

[Marsai Martin]

Cry at Disneyland when she saw Minnie.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh yeah. It was like excitement crash.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Now talk about Mickey. You're an original Disney kid, right?

[JoJo Siwa]

No, you're right. That is true. You are original Disney kid.

[Keke Palmer]

That's an original Disney kid.

[JoJo Siwa]

We still watched Nickelodeon. Like I remember we would watch, like we would watch. Honestly, the things that were like our, our, our shows on Nickelodeon was like some of the cartoons, old school cartoons, like and Rugrats and Recess and those ones, you know, and then honestly, all that absolutely Girl, which I know you.

[Keke Palmer]

Snl. The children's snl.

[Marsai Martin]

It's the children's.

[JoJo Siwa]

It's the children's snl. All that was unbelievable.

[Marsai Martin]

And so was the Amanda show.

[JoJo Siwa]

Oh, yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Amanda, man. Amanda, man. Amanda, man. Amanda, man.

[JoJo Siwa]

Fantastic.

[Keke Palmer]

Why. Why was that?

[Marsai Martin]

I love that. You know every jingle.

[JoJo Siwa]

You know all of them.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. That was the thing that tied us in. That's also a thing that's missing as well. I think the theme songs and the jingle.

[JoJo Siwa]

The three of us need to be writing theme song hooks for these TV shows.

[Keke Palmer]

We would have it whipped up into shape, girl. Cuz Yalls pen is.

[Marsai Martin]

Your pen or right pen? Just.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, you guys have been writing all your lives. I mean, let's take a quick break and just talk about your intro into Disney. Because, I mean, how did they discover you guys? Like, what was the relationship there? Like? I mean, you started working with them at how old.

[JoJo Siwa]

So when I. I guess when I booked Phil, I had just gotten my braces off. I was like, literally, like, I think I had gotten them off like, three months in advance. Girl wasn't booking with braces. I was not booking with. With braces on.

[Marsai Martin]

Now it's cute. Now it's like, you can book a commercial. You're like, I'm a normal. Got braces.

[JoJo Siwa]

But then it was like, ooh, she looks wrong. So. So I remember I booked it, and I was 13 when I booked the show. By the time that we shot the pilot and then by the time the show went, I think it was like I was 14. And I remember after the first season, I want to say they had some music element thing that was involved with my character, like singing on stage and being nervous and having stage fright and having a mini Phil on the mic to help me sing, which is so funny. So we got.

[Marsai Martin]

He shrunk himself to help her.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yeah, it's pretty cute. And I remember I came to them and said, I write songs with my sister. Like, we have this one song that we've written. Like, could I put it on the show? And they were like, can we hear it? And the song actually was perfect for the scene. So they literally put a song on the show that was that we wrote.

[Marsai Martin]

At 10 and 12.

[JoJo Siwa]

That we wrote at 10 and 12, but it hadn't come out yet. Like, it was like a song that would then be on our debut record at Hollywood. So it was this very strange connection. Yeah. So.

[Keke Palmer]

So were you guys already signed to Hollywood or you became. You got. You got signed to Hollywood through This.

[JoJo Siwa]

Got signed to Hollywood through this. And it was like, I want to say going into the second season, I think was when we got signed and we made the record. I came back to set. We did our second season around that time. I think I had maybe done that magic movie, the now you see it one on my own and then forget you've done two. And then. And then we did ours, I think after I had wrapped film.

[Keke Palmer]

But then everybody always thinks we had.

[JoJo Siwa]

A damn show together and I didn't have a show. Makes me laugh. I'm like, I never got.

[Marsai Martin]

I never got the one.

[Keke Palmer]

But it's because we always seen you got. You know, like when I. I mean, it's like Ali and AJ Alien. Aj. We just know because also the music video. You remember Disney Channel used to have those music videos in between. We were like, Alan, A.J. alan.

[JoJo Siwa]

No, it was like an MTV, but.

[Marsai Martin]

Play the best music videos. Bebe Mack. I mean, remember the music videos?

[Miranda Pearman]

They'd rock.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. And remember what was the one boy, the blonde boy. Y'all know his name?

[Marsai Martin]

Aaron Carter.

[Keke Palmer]

Nope, not Aaron Carter. Was it Jesse? Was it Jesse McCartney?

[JoJo Siwa]

McCartney.

[Keke Palmer]

Jesse McCartney. Yeah.

[JoJo Siwa]

And he was a label mate with us and we did a lot of shows together. He was very.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't want to see a pretty face. I don't want just anyone. Yo, that is insane. I think that is so cool and so impressive that you guys so young were literally like, hey, you know, advocating for yourselves in that way to the point that you actually got a record deal and was able to get your music into a Disney show. I think Disney is interesting in that way, like, if you push things to the forefront. Like, I think about it with my career, like, I started doing stuff with Disney, just did decoms, and then slowly I did. Started doing hosting for them, ended up working in their news division. And it's like in Disney, it's interesting how you can grow, I think, because they have so many different tentacles, you know?

[JoJo Siwa]

Yes. And I feel like they.

[Marsai Martin]

It still helped us, like, to this day, like, it still follows our career in a way that's really kept. Kept an umbrella of people around our music and our acting. It's amazing.

[Keke Palmer]

Well, it is.

[JoJo Siwa]

And I believe that it's one of those companies where, like, yes, there's people can have like a great experience there. They can have a bad experience. It can be a mix of all of it, too. But I do believe that they also really gravitate towards kids that are like. Like, want to do it and are precocious. And into it. And AJ And I were those kids. We weren't, thank God. Coming from a family where our mom and dad were pushing us into the spotlight to do this, to, like, pay for the bills. Not that also. That also makes sense. At some, you know, point, I'm like, I get it. Maybe your kid is, like, helping you keep the lights on. And that's a tough responsibility to put on your child.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, being a child actor, it can go either which ways. You're right. It can be stressful, or it can be just completely, utterly fun. And, you know, kids are brat, you.

[JoJo Siwa]

Know, but for us, it was really. It was fun. And so it wasn't like, we're doing this because you kids have to, like, make money for the family. Thankfully. And the funny thing, too, is that, like, even the fact that, like, how I auditioned for Phil of the Future was all because I was in one of those. And, you know, all these old school workshops, because I 100% believe.

[Keke Palmer]

Tell me about the workshops, because I need to know about the workshops.

[JoJo Siwa]

Donna Jean. Donna Jean. Go, baby, Donna Jean.

[Keke Palmer]

Not Donna Jean. Goh. Come on, Donna Jean. Come on, Donna Jean. She was booking, and so they would do. They would do workshops, and you guys would go in.

[JoJo Siwa]

Yes. And that's what they scouted. And I was in one of those workshops, and she was like, I think you'd be really right for this show I'm putting together for Disney.

[Kel Mitchell]

Wow.

[Keke Palmer]

I think that's also missing, guys. Now we might be getting to the root of it. They don't have a lot of those people anymore that are going out there, hitting the ground and finding the real kids. You know what I mean?

[Marsai Martin]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Right?

[JoJo Siwa]

It's not just a kid that's like. That's like an actor kid, but a kid that's like. Like, like, wants to do it and is fun and has these little quirks and is like a real kid. Yeah, yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

That is. That, I think, is so important. I wonder what. What the missing piece could be to that, as to why, though, why those workshops don't happen as much anymore, why.

[JoJo Siwa]

It might be all form of a workshop between the three of us, and we are out of these kids.

[Marsai Martin]

We would nail Scout everywhere. I'd go to Eureka. I'd go to Ojai. I'd go to San Diego. I would keep it fairly local, but I would scout the hell out of Disney kids.

[Keke Palmer]

We have to reconvene on this because the kids need us. Yeah.

[JoJo Siwa]

This is a great idea.

[Keke Palmer]

Do you guys remember the Disney Channel games? Like the website and the games like Lilo and Stitch, Hamburger Stack and all that. Did you guys ever play any of those?

[Marsai Martin]

I loved the games.

[JoJo Siwa]

And by the way, we were obsessed. Like I. Which is funny because I used to go on to disneychannel.

[Keke Palmer]

Com.

[Marsai Martin]

I used to go onto disneychannel. Com on our parents computer Night Girl and play games.

[Keke Palmer]

I would be playing the Kim Possible game. That was also a really fun game. Like it's so insane to imagine like all this nostalgic stuff and it makes me wonder like what is Millennials obsession? What is our obsession with nostalgia? Is it like, does everybody have this obsession with nostalgia? I mean I've never heard Gen X be like oh my gosh, remember when? But I mean maybe they do. I. I just feel like we're obsessed with nostalgia in such a like aestheticy way. Like it's like a part of our DNA. I'm just so curious as to what. Why. Why is that?

[Marsai Martin]

I don't know. I think it's a longing for the past to grab your childhood again. Like I think we're all just really sad being adults.

[JoJo Siwa]

I think it's a little bit of that, like we all were still a part of that pre Internet era or like really heavy Internet, you know what I mean? So I think that's a little bit of it too is like being on your parents computer and it's like, but you didn't have like a cell phone, you know, you didn't, you, you didn't have Twitter, you didn't have Instagram. It was, was like you go on that lap on that like PC and you'd be on there or Dell or whatever, you know, and you were on the computer and it was like, okay, you have your 30 minutes are up for playing games tonight. Like it was very wholesome.

[Marsai Martin]

You know one thing I was really sad we were never a part of was Disney games as in the game challenges that people.

[JoJo Siwa]

We never did that.

[Keke Palmer]

Me either. I want to do the Disney games as well.

[JoJo Siwa]

I feel like we would have crushed it.

[Keke Palmer]

That's why they didn't invite us. They knew we would have been eating them kids up. Correct. Correct.

[JoJo Siwa]

They're like, don't bring them.

[Marsai Martin]

Those girls are gonna kick way too much ass.

[Keke Palmer]

Baby, this is, this is Kiki. Baby, this is Kiki Palmer. Yeah, enjoy. Baby, this is Keke Palmer on the Wondery app, wherever you get your podcasts and now on YouTube where you can watch full episodes. Subscribe to the wondery channel on YouTube and don't miss any episodes. You can listen to Baby this is Keke Palmer early and ad free on Wondery. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Baby this is Keke Palmer is hosted and executive produced by me, Keke Palmer. Lucas Siegel is our post producer. Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez. Our original theme song was written and performed by me, Keke Palmer for Team Kik. My producer is Sharon Palmer. For Wondery, our managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Senior producers are Tristan McNeil and Candice Manriquez. RIN Our executive producers are Emily Feldbrake, Dave Easton, Erin O'Flaherty and Marshall Louie.