Keke Palmer addresses the backlash over her controversial interview with Jonathan Majors, which never aired due to public reaction.
Keke Palmer has spoken publicly for the first time about the cancellation of her anticipated interview with Jonathan Majors, addressing the Keke Palmer Jonathan Majors interview controversy during a recent appearance on Power 105.1 FM’s The Breakfast Club. The actress and podcasthost explained why the episode, which had sparked attention due to its timing after Majors’ sexual assault trial, was withdrawn before it ever aired.
Keke Palmer Addresses Decision to Cancel Jonathan Majors Podcast Conversation
During her discussion on The Breakfast Club, Palmer delved into her connection with Meagan Good, who married Majors earlier in the year, and reflected on what motivated her to pursue the podcastinterview in the first place. Palmer described Good as a mentor and expressed her enthusiasm about the topics the interview could have explored.
“I’ve grown up loving her. She’s honestly a mentor to me and a representation for all of us young Black women. I mean, I was happy for her to get married. I was excited to have the conversation.”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Palmer, highlighting her responsibility as a host, emphasized her intention to approach interviews objectively—even when dealing with subjects enmeshed in controversy.
“You don’t agree with everything they did, you don’t love everything, but you got to have the conversation. You have to set the stage for them to speak and for people to watch and take what they want to take from it, so that’s why I was open and excited to do the interview.”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Public Reaction Prompts Pulling of Episode
Despite her initial enthusiasm, Palmer’s team decided to pull the episode following negative audience feedback regarding its sensitivity. The actress conceded that the perception of insensitivity prevented the interview from serving its intended purpose.
“I always want to be respectful and understand where everybody’s coming from. If they’re not going to feel like they’re going to receive anything good from the interview, then okay, cool. But I sat down with the brother for us to talk and let him be heard. I mean, people sit down with serial killers.”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Palmer made it clear she was not equating Majors to any criminal, quickly clarifying her statement on the air.
Image of: Keke Palmer
“I’m not comparing him to a serial killer!”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
She further explained her position as a journalist and her intent to let listeners form their own opinions.
“But at the end of the day, I felt as a journalist, I’m supposed to talk and let the public decide how they want to feel,”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Context Around the Scrapped Podcast and Current Relations
The shelved episode, originally titled
“No Easy Answers: Accountability and Moving Forward With Jonathan Majors,”
was replaced before release with a different celebrity interview. Palmer suggested that one day, there might be another opportunity to release the interview.
“Maybe one day, we get a chance to put [the podcast interview] out,”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Despite the controversy, Palmer repeatedly shared well wishes for both Majors and Good, expressing her hope that judgment would be reserved.
“But that didn’t get a chance to happen. I wish them all the best. I really want to say that because I don’t judge nobody ’cause I don’t want to be judged. So at the end of the day, I’m happy for Meagan. I’m happy for them.”
—Keke Palmer, Actress and Podcast Host
Background on Jonathan Majors and Aftermath
The now-canceled interview followed Majors’ high-profile legal troubles. The former Marvel actor was convicted of assault and harassment concerning an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in late 2023. Majors, who maintains his innocence, received probation and was ordered to participate in an intervention program rather than serve a jail sentence.
Majors and Good wed in March after a four-month engagement, becoming a point of public focus beyond the legal proceedings. Palmer’s commentary on the situation recognizes the complexities and competing emotions involved for both the participants and the audience.
Looking Ahead for Palmer and Her Platform
As Palmer weighed in on the Keke Palmer Jonathan Majors interview controversy, her remarks highlighted both her journalistic aspirations and her commitment to maintaining respect for all involved. The episode’s cancellation underscores the volatility and divided reactions surrounding high-profile legal matters in pop culture and the responsibilities of hosts like Palmer. Whether the interview will eventually be made public remains an open question, but Palmer’s thoughtful approach may inform how such sensitive conversations are handled in the future.
