Keke Palmer has candidly spoken about her on-set experience during the filming of the popular Fox show “Scream Queens”. In her new memoir *Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative*, Palmer discusses in depth how she rose to a place of personal power and professional maturation.
One chapter reveals, in particular, a notorious moment with the show creator himself, Ryan Murphy, wherein there was some conflict over scheduling. According to Palmer herself, speaking by phone, she was being “ripped into,” one of those moments when she felt perhaps her place in Murphy’s production circle was in jeopardy.
Dealing with a Crowded Schedule
Palmer played the vibrant character of Zayday Williams in *Scream Queens*. That unusual mixture of horror and comedy had a very loyal following and also co-starred several other established talents, including Emma Roberts, Niecy Nash, and Billie Lourd. As Palmer will discuss in her memoir, on location and balancing such an imposing filming schedule, she was told that one day off would be granted to her, which she allocated toward satisfying another business commitment. That all changed when, unexpectedly, she was called onto set that day.
On her day off, the production called her telling her that they needed her on the set but she decided to comply with what was agreed. According to her account, the decision did not sit well with Murphy; the two had a heated phone call.
Palmer writes, “It was kind of like I was in the dean’s office” – an intense moment that underscored the weight of pressure actors often bear in a high-stakes environment. Even while explaining it to him, she felt that Murphy was rigid, finger-pointing at her for being unprofessional.
Background Tensions and Professionalism
The memoir written by Palmer presents behind-the-scenes intrigue on hot shows like *Scream Queens*. Her story is a reflection of how minor scheduling conflicts can lead to major misunderstandings in the rapid world of entertainment.
As Palmer explained, she was taken aback by the reaction, since she had always considered herself a friendly and professional performer. She later apologized, in the hopes that the incident would blow over, but clearly, it stuck with her. To make matters all the more uncomfortable, Palmer recounts one instance where a castmate intimated that Murphy was still upset.
She was shocked by the revelation as she thought the matter was forgotten after her apology. Palmer expresses how irritated the situation was getting; the incident was being blown out of proportion, in her opinion. In the words of Palmer, the incident revealed an inconsistency between what she felt about and how Murphy acted.
As she puts it, the incident taught her a lesson about work in Hollywood, which normally requires her to bear sensitive professional relationships and to put up with what many people expect from an actor.
Reflections on Growth and Career Lessons
Palmer’s recount of the events also mirrors her musings on reflections about Hollywood culture. She joined *Scream Queens* hoping that she could be part of Murphy’s ensemble—a tight group of actors who regularly star in his work.
The conflict over schedule change made her feel glad she didn’t have that ambition anymore. Rather than taking this as discouragement, Palmer writes, that the experience taught her an important lesson about self-respect and setting boundaries, even in such a demanding industry as entertainment.
She says, quite candidly in the book, that while she understands that Murphy needed to focus on his production, she did value her own decisions in her career. This was a real pivotal episode in her life, one wherein she began to view her life as a business entity; one capable of choices reflecting her values and aspirations. She does not bear any grudges against Murphy. Instead, she considers the incident part of the business, where creative and logistical differences are to be expected.
Embracing Self-Empowerment and Moving On
The title itself, *Master of Me*, represents not only Palmer’s rise as an actor but also as a human being who finally learned to take ownership of her story. In telling her story of what happened with Murphy, she underscores the need for one to be resilient and professional. The experience did not hold her back from trying to reach her career goals; if anything, it gave her the impetus to define herself more clearly in the entertainment world.
Palmer’s attitude towards what happened- apologizing and then moving on- speaks volumes about her commitment to professionalism while never sacrificing personal values. Her memoir quintessentially represents finding that balance between giving in to the demands of Hollywood and living up to one’s principles. By telling her story, Palmer gives the public an insight into how actors have to put up with strong personas in the industry and even more so the self-worth that comes with such an environment.
With the release date nearing for *Master of Me*, which will detail her personal and professional life, fans and readers alike will have an inside look into where this journey has brought Palmer. Her story is reminiscent of resilience through hard knocks in competitive fields and the importance of one’s self as an entity unto oneself with goals, aspirations, and boundaries. Indeed, her candidness about interactions with Murphy lends nuance to her narrative and stands as an inspiring testament to embracing self-empowerment.
