Keke Palmer is taking charge of her career–now 21 she’s revamped her image from a sweet little girl we’ve grown to love into with a little more spice! Check out Keke in the latest Essence January 2015 issue.  

 ” I would love to have somebody but this is such a great time in my life, in my career. I really am liking myself.”  “I know that the role of Cinderella is primarily for a caucasian girl, but it didn’t stop me from going in and it didn’t stop them from seeing me.” ” You want me to stay with a brand that I’ve outgrown. I’m 21. And it’s not about me proving you that I’m grown as hell.”

Photography by Nino Muñoz