Variety held a special cover party at SXSW on March 12, honoring its latest cover star, Keke Palmer, in conjunction with filmmaker Boots Riley and the cast of their new film I Love Boosters. This private event took place hours after the film’s world premiere at the festival, bringing together key industry leaders, creatives, and talent to celebrate one of the most buzzed-about debuts at SXSW. The Keke Palmer SXSW celebration highlighted her rising profile in the entertainment world and showcased her latest work in Riley’s film.
Keke Palmer’s Role in I Love Boosters and Film Details
In I Love Boosters, Palmer plays Corvette, a magnetic and unpredictable character at the heart of Boots Riley’s stylized crime comedy. This movie serves as Riley’s highly anticipated follow-up to his critically praised 2018 film, Sorry to Bother You. After premiering at SXSW, I Love Boosters is scheduled for an international theatrical release on May 22, positioning it as a potential standout in the festival’s lineup.
Industry Praise Highlights Keke Palmer’s Performance
Ramin Setoodeh, Co-President and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Variety, praised both the film and Palmer’s role, saying,
“Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters’ will be one of the big discoveries out of SXSW, and Keke Palmer delivers a career-high performance as Corvette,”
and added,
“This makes Keke the perfect cover star for Variety’s first-ever SXSW issue. We look forward to celebrating with Keke, Boots and the entire ‘I Love Boosters’ cast at our opening night party.”
Looking Ahead: The Continued Impact of the Film and Celebration
The exclusive event at SXSW not only recognized Keke Palmer’s breakthrough success but also set the stage for the upcoming global release of I Love Boosters. With strong industry support and positive early reactions, Palmer’s role is expected to enhance her already impressive career trajectory. The film’s release in late May will offer wider audiences the chance to experience Riley’s latest work and Palmer’s standout performance.
