Keke Palmer shared her unexpected take on Wicked when she likened one of the famous songs to a ‘slave hymn.’ 

The 31-year-old actress had SZA and Issa Rae speechless when she started explaining why she thought there was one particular song they needed to ‘save space’ for.

After imitating Cynthia Erivo’s iconic high note in Defying Gravity on MTV, Palmer referred to Elphaba’s big solo number and said: ‘That’s a slave hymn.’ 

Her One of Them Days co-star and co-producer covered their faces as they made surprised reactions and laughed. 

‘Come on! When she got up there and she told those people,’ Palmer continued. ‘Y’all, it is really good. Y’all know I ain’t lying.’ 

‘You have got to save space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity,’ she continued as she referenced a now-viral phrase from an interview with Wicked’s leading stars Erivo and Ariana Grande. 

Keke Palmer shared her unexpected take on Wicked when she likened one of the famous songs to a ‘slave hymn’; pictured January 8 in Atlanta

After imitating Cynthia Erivo ‘s iconic high note in Defying Gravity on MTV , Palmer referred to Elphaba’s big solo number and said: ‘That’s a slave hymn’

Quoting the lyrics from the soaring, emotional power ballad from the beloved musical, she continued: ‘It makes me feel like, ‘You can’t stop me! No one is gonna bring me down!’

Palmer is the executive producer of One of Them Days and also co-stars alongside singer-songwriter SZA. 

The comedy, which is set for release on Friday, is also co-produced by Issa Rae. 

In the movie, Palmer and SZA star as roommates Dreux and Alyssa. 

The movie follows Alyssa when her boyfriend takes her rent money. 

Together, the two roommates, per the synopsis, ‘race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.’ 

And Palmer had high praise for her co-star SZA’s acting debut with their new comedy movie. 

‘The world is about to be just gagged,’ she said about the Grammy-winning singer in an interview with People, which was published earlier this week but conducted back in December 2024. 

The 31-year-old actress had SZA and Issa Rae speechless when she started explaining why she thought there was one particular song they needed to ‘save space’ for

Her One of Them Days co-star and co-producer covered their faces as they made surprised reactions and laughed. ‘Come on! When she got up there and she told those people,’ Palmer continued. ‘Y’all, it is really good. Y’all know I ain’t lying’

‘You have got to save space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity,’ she continued as she referenced a now-viral phrase from an interview with Wicked’s leading stars Erivo and Ariana Grande

Palmer is the executive producer of One of Them Days and also co-stars alongside singer-songwriter SZA. The comedy, which is set for release on Friday, is also co-produced by Issa Rae. In the movie, Palmer and SZA star as roommates Dreux and Alyssa as they go on a mad dash for cash. One of Them Days premieres in theaters on January 17

‘Honestly, it’s so, so good. I really am just so proud of you and the movie,’ she said to her co-star. ‘It’s all, to me, a match made in heaven.’ 

Read More Keke Palmer stuns in chic plaid trench coat and miniskirt as she carries son Leodis in New York City

In the same interview, SZA admitted she was nervous — or rather ‘scared as hell,’ ‘terrified’ and ‘anxious’ — about making her acting debut. But she said it was still a ‘bucket list’ moment for her. 

‘I’m trying something brand new,’ she explained. 

‘All I can do is try my best, you know, and thank God for the opportunity and just kinda lean into and accept it as a growing experience,’ she continued. 

‘I have tons of fears of being perceived on camera, talking, my voice [and] being next to Keke, who’s a superstar of so many mulтιтudes.’ 

One of Them Days premieres in theaters on January 17.