Keke Palmer Admits She ‘Expected’ Her ‘GMA’ Talk Show to Be Cancelled

Actress Keke Palmer revealed that she was far from surprised when her daytime talk show was axed. Palmer recently joined Andy Cohen during a new episode of Watch What Happens Live, and she reflected on why Strahan, Sara & Keke wouldn’t be coming back.

The Hustlers actress said that she “expected” her ABC morning talk show to be canceled permanently after the program was sidelined in March for the coronavirus pandemic coverage.

“It’s a different time now”

“Here’s the thing, when the pandemic hit, that’s what became all on our minds. The pandemic, corona, understanding COVID,” Palmer told host Andy Cohen. “So I kind of knew that if our show did come back, it would have to be much, much later because our show was really about an audience,” she said. Keke went on to explain her show saying, “That’s what we do, we do a little bit of news, but it’s entertainment news. It’s really about fun conversations and lightheartedness. It’s a different time now,” Palmer said, adding, “The conversation has changed and I just think kind of pushed SSK out.”

Back in August last year, Palmer joined the third-hour block of GMA as a co-host with Michael Strahan and Sara Haines for the GMA morning talk show. The show was taken off of ABC’s schedule in March, for pandemic coverage. Last Month, reports claimed that the network replaced the show with a news program about the global coronavirus pandemic called GMA 3: What You Need to Know.

I hate the narrative that if you speak your mind as a Black person, you will be punished”

Palmer has continued to share her positivity and optimism throughout quarantine. The actress even went viral for encouraging members of the National Guard to march alongside Black Lives Matter protesters in June.

Fans of the show and the actress wondered if the network’s move had anything to do with Palmer speaking out about racial injustice in America. However, the TV personality set the record straight alongside an Instagram post that read. “Ain’t it weird how Keke Palmer was seen protesting and preaching to the police about racism in our country then ABC decides to cancel her show.”

“I want to speak on this simply because I hate the narrative that if you speak your mind as a Black person that you will in some way be punished,” Palmer began. “I have seen this going around and at first I ignored it but in this climate I realized this is a dangerous message to send to our generation and the generation coming up. If anything my speaking out showed the corporations I work with, how important my voice is and anyone that has a POV.” She then wrote about how “the reality” was she “never signed to SSK as one would a seasonal show.”

“This business is dynamic and instead of thinking of me as a ‘series regular,’ see me as a brand that works with the corporation Disney/ABC News and this particular show I was on is no longer,” she continued. “That does not mean the relationship I have with them dies, that means it evolves.”

“I want to speak out so that no one ever feels or thinks that speaking out will cost them their job”

Palmer added she hates “talking about business because it can seem a bit weird and gets quite technical lol.”

“But when I see such fear mongering comments, I want to speak out so that no one ever feels or thinks that speaking out will cost them their job!” she wrote. “I’m sure it can and has before, but let’s also recognize when it has not. That way more of us with our own minds speak out against any injustices we see. Trust me, walking in my truth has always made my blessings OVERFLOW and connect to those that are like-minded and not with those that are not. Do not believe this lie. Stay courageous and stay true because GOD HAS YOU ALWAYS.”