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Why Justin Bieber's Comment on Keke Palmer's Photo Has Fans Buzzing
Keke Palmer is uncovering new details about her breakup.
The Nope star got candid about what really led to her split from ex Darius Jackson in her latest single, "My Confession," which was released on May 9.
In fact, while many have speculated that Usher serenading Keke at his Las Vegas residency back in July 2023 was what caused her and Darius to call it quits, the Nickelodeon alum revealed that the pair actually parted ways shortly before she attended the "Burn" singer's show.
"Summer '23, we was in Vegas, right / Broke up with me and you hopped up on a flight," Keke sings on the first verse. "Was tryna find my way back to 'alright'/ So I figured that I’d have myself a girl's night."
Following the concert, Darius slammed the 31-year-old for wearing a sheer dress during her interaction with Usher, writing on X at the time, "It's the outfit tho.. you a mom." And Keke—who didn't go public their breakup until three months later—felt like she faced unfair backlash due to his reaction.
"Made me a villain for sympathy but you lied, mm," she recalled on the song, which interpolates Usher's 2004 smash "Confessions Part II." "But the truth is, in Vegas, we was already over, boo/ Because of you."
Keke—who shares son Leo, 2, with Darius—also provided insight into why she chose to speak up about the tumultuous end of their love story.
As she put it on the second verse, "Saying this was hard for me/ Only speaking for my peace / Truth hurts and this is mine."
Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
And in the end, sharing her perspective on the track, which she co-write with longtime friend Tayla Parx, has helped Keke move forward.
"Sometimes the closure we need doesn’t come from a conversation—it comes from being honest with ourselves," she wrote on Instagram following the song's release. "That’s what this song is. My peace. My clarity. My way of letting go."
She added, "I’m not here to play perfect. I’m here to be honest. I’m just here to be Keke."
For a complete look back at Keke and Darius' relationship, keep reading.
August 2021: Instagram Official
The True Jackson, VP alum and the fitness instructor went Instagram official with their romance when Keke shared Polaroids of the two packing PDA at her 28th birthday party. "It's the details for me. Nobody was on they phones, we had that before MySpace feeling… I'm so happy," she wrote on Instagram Aug. 29, 2021. "Awesome Birthday, so grateful."
Kelly Lee Barrett/Getty Images
September 2021: Group Date
Keke and Darius enjoyed a group outing at Cinespia's screening of Coming to America in Hollywood.
Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
October 2021: All Loved Up
The couple stepped out at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles.
Kelly Lee Barrett/Getty Images
October 2021: Hollywood Nights
Keke and Darius' relationship continued as they spent spooky season together, hanging out with friends during a Cinespia screening of I Know What You Did Last Summer at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
November 2021: Private Pair
While appearing on The Tamron Hall Show, Keke explained that she decided to go public with Darius because it "became more difficult to hide" their romance.
"We spend all this time together, and he really is my closest friend, so it just becomes a thing where I'm not gonna hide something that makes me happy," she explained. "It's not gonna be everything you see, my job is my job, but at the end of the day this is somebody that is important to me so why not."
December 2021: First Christmas
Keke spent Christmas with Darius and family, sharing that he gifted her sunglasses fitted with her prescription. "I couldn't be happier!!!" she wrote on Instagram Dec. 25, 2021. "Worked hard all year to spend this time celebrating our health and our love for one another. All the sacrifices are worth it in the end when you know it's for the future and your family. I am who I am because of these people and their love for me is enough to keep me happy until the ends of time."
The Nope star added, "Nothing means anything without these people. My heart is so full and I'm wishing you all the best today.. may the spirit of God be with you all!! Ho Ho Ho!!! Merry Christmas."
Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
February 2022: Courtside Cuties
Keke and Darius sat courtside at an NBA All Star Weekend game in Cleveland.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
December 2022: Pregnancy Reveal
Keke announced her pregnancy during the Dec. 3, 2022 episode of Saturday Night Live. "There's some rumors going around, people have been in my comments saying, 'Keke's having a baby, Keke's pregnant,' and I wanna set the record straight: I am," she said during her opening monologue, before throwing open her coat to reveal her growing belly. "I was trying so hard to keep it on the down low, 'cause I got a lot of stuff going on...but honestly this has been the biggest blessing, and I am so excited."
Robert Kamau/GC Images
December 2022: Time to Celebrate
After the big pregnancy announcement, Keke and Darius were spotted heading to a SNL after-party in New York City.
Instagram / Darius Jackson
December 2022: Baby Love
Darius sent some social media love to Keke amid the baby news, sharing a photo of the star cradling her growing bump. Seemingly referencing their baby on the way's due date, he wrote in the caption alongside a red heart emoji, "2023."
Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
December 2022: Sweet Shoutout
While reflecting on her SNL experience on Instagram, Keke called Darius her "other half" and thanked him for "giving me the things that only true unity can bring."
"Love is all we have isn't it," she added in a Dec. 4 post. "you do nothing in this world alone and trust me, I am not alone! Very grateful… Happy Holidays!"
February 2023: He's Here!
The couple welcomed son Leodis Andrellton Jackson in February 2023, with Keke quipping in his birth announcement, "Born during Black History Month, with a name to match."
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
April 2023: Baby Boy's First Red Carpet
Keke and Darius Jackson took their baby boy to the screening of her visual album Big Boss at Georgia State University.
April 2023: Easter Celebration
"Happy Easter," Keke wrote on Instagram Apr. 9. "Blessings to all! He has risen."
Keke Palmer/Instagram
July 2023: Mom's Night Out
Darius faced online backlash when he appeared to shame Keke for wearing a see-through dress to an Usher concert in Las Vegas. "It's the outfit tho," he tweeted at the time, "you a mom."
After fans came to Keke's defense, the dad of one doubled down on his stance, writing on Twitter, "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn't want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is. This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case."
Keke Palmer / Instagram
August 2023: Break Up
Keke and Darius broke up after nearly two years of dating, according to multiple reports.
Instagram / Darius Jackson
August 2023: Birthday Buddies
However, Keke spent her 30th birthday with Darius a week after breakup reports surfaced, prompting speculation that the couple were back on.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
September 2023: The Good Life
When asked about her relationship status with Darius during a Sept. 25 appearance on Today, the actress quipped, "I'm not trying to be specific! I'm going to take a page out of my girl Beyoncé's book: Mind y'all's business."
She added, "Life is good. I have nothing but gratitude, honestly."
Instagram/Keke Palmer
November 2023: Seeking Custody
Keke petitioned to get full legal and physical custody of Leo, according to court documents obtained by TMZ and Page Six.
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