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Last Updated: Oct 21st, 2007 - 09:55:08 |
At the ripe age of twelve, Kiki Palmer has already made her mark as an actress in one of this season’s most important movies—“Akeelah and the Bee.” In this sweet-hearted tale, which also stars Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne, Palmer plays a smart and ambitious adolescent who is struggling to fit in socially while also showcasing her knowledge of words.
“In a lot of ways, Akeelah and I are alike because…..I’m ambitious,” said Palmer, in an interview at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. “This [Hollywood] is a big, big business. You have to be brave and you have to keep on trying.”
When Palmer was nine years old, she discovered her career while other kids her age were still discovering color combinations. When her mother realized that she was interested in acting, she auditioned for the musical, “The Lion King.” Although she did not make that cut, persistence by her and her mother landed her an agent, who helped her get another audition. After she landed a role in “Barbershop 2,” producers realized her potential as an actress. They suggested that she move from Illinois to California to receive more movie opportunities.
When she moved to California at age ten, she learned about an audition for Akeelah and the Bee. “When I first auditioned for Akeelah, I was like….wow, all of ya’ll are here to audition for Akeelah?”
In the film, Akeelah is also aided in her quest to reach her goal. After her teacher convinces her to audition for the national spelling bee, she meets a mentor, Dr. Larabee, played by Lawrence Fishburne. Larabee introduces Akeelah to new words and definitions. At the same time, she challenged by a dangerous environment in South-Central Los Angeles and by an overworked and often hostile mother, played by Angela Bassett. “When I had to do a scene where I had to cry, she [Bassett] just told me to think about all of the people in your life that helped you and if they couldn’t help you anymore, and right after that I just started to cry,” said Palmer. “I had a lot of fun working with [these actors], they were like teachers.”
Although Akeelah learns from others, the adults in her life realize that they are also learning from her.
“I have gotten a lot of advice [but the best advice was] don’t be afraid of what other people think—be yourself,” said Palmer. “Go for the goal.”
© Copyright 2006 SeeingBlack.com
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