Keke Palmer Breaks Silence on Why She Filed Restraining Order Against Ex

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Keke Palmer is reflecting on her past relationship.

In November 2023, Palmer was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex–boyfriend, Darius Jackson, as she accused him of domestic violence. In an interview published on Wednesday, October 30, the former Nickelodeon star explained to People why she needed the court to intervene.

“It got so out of control,” the 31-year-old stated. “The only way I knew how to bring order was through the court.”

Palmer and Jackson began dating in June 2021, and the pair welcomed their son Leodis into the world in February 2023. Things fell apart publicly for the couple in July 2023 when Jackson left a viral — and highly criticized — comment critiquing the Akeelah and the Bee star’s outfit on a video of Usher serenading her at his concert.

“It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom.,” Jackson commented on the video that was circulating on X (formerly Twitter).

After Jackson publicly shamed Palmer, she posted a slew of photos of herself on Instagram in the outfit he criticized, writing, “I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were running late!” The pair were then spotted together in August 2023, celebrating Palmer’s 30th birthday. However, by November 2023, the pair were officially separated, with the starlet subsequently filing a restraining order against him and requesting sole custody of their child that month. (Security footage of Jackson allegedly abusing Palmer leaked in November.)

The Emmy Award winner told the outlet, “Having a baby was a big stressor” in the relationship, and so was “fame.”

When speaking about the difficulties of living a public life, the Nope actress remarked, “Not just with my romantic relationships, but with family and friends, it’s always become a burden. Too many voices get in. It can make everybody else not trust you. It’s hard to explain.”

People also shared an expert from the singer’s upcoming memoir Master of Me, where she explained how the relationship wasn’t all bad. “I wish I could say he was terrible the entire time or that I was … but it wasn’t that black-and-white and that was the problem,” Palmer wrote. “I didn’t want my son to think his father is a monster, because I don’t.”

Six months after the November 2023 court filing, the former couple got to a better place as the True Jackson VP alum dropped the restraining order, and reached a joint custody agreement with Jackson.

Master of Me will reach bookshelves on Tuesday, November 19.