5 Shocking Revelations About Keke Palmer’s ‘Husband’—And Why He’s Actually Her Ex-Boyfriend In 2025
Despite persistent search queries for "Keke Palmer husband," the definitive and most current information as of December 2025 is that the multi-hyphenate star is not married and is currently single. Her high-profile, tumultuous relationship with Darius Jackson, the father of her son, Leo, ended publicly in 2023, and the actress has since moved forward, focusing on her career and co-parenting. The public fascination with her relationship status stems entirely from her two-year romance with Jackson, which culminated in a highly publicized breakup that played out across social media.
The man most frequently associated with the "husband" title is Darius Daulton Jackson, a fitness instructor and aspiring actor. The timeline of their relationship, from their initial meeting to the controversial split and the subsequent legal drama, has been a major topic for fans, especially following the June 2025 release of Palmer's visual album, Just Keke, which explicitly addresses the breakup and her journey to self-reclamation. This article delves into the full, updated profile of Darius Jackson and the five key revelations that defined their relationship and its dramatic end.
The Man Who Was Never Her Husband: A Darius Jackson Profile
Darius Daulton Jackson, often simply known as Darius Jackson, is the ex-boyfriend of Keke Palmer and the father of her child. His profile gained significant public interest only after his relationship with the Emmy-winning actress became public. He is known for his work in fitness and his connection to the entertainment industry.
- Full Name: Darius Daulton Jackson
- Born: June 18, 1992 (The exact birth year is sometimes disputed, but this date is commonly associated with the fitness instructor/actor.)
- Birthplace: California (He grew up with a strong background in sports.)
- Career: Fitness Instructor (notably at Inspire Studios/Fitness), Writer, and aspiring Actor. He is also known for his sports media aspirations.
- Education: Reportedly received a football scholarship to Fresno State University.
- Family Connection: He is the younger brother of actor Sarunas Jackson, known for his role as Dro in the HBO series Insecure. Keke Palmer reportedly met Darius through his brother.
- Child: Son, Leodis "Leo" Andrellton, born in February 2023, shared with Keke Palmer.
- Relationship Status: Split from Keke Palmer in 2023.
5 Key Revelations About the Keke Palmer-Darius Jackson Relationship and Split
The relationship between Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson was a whirlwind of private romance and public controversy. What began as a rare public display of affection from the notoriously private Keke ended with a public feud, a Temporary Restraining Order, and a new artistic chapter for the actress. Here are the five most significant revelations about their time together.
1. Their Relationship Was Keke’s First Public Romance
For most of her career, Keke Palmer was famously private about her love life, a decision she often attributed to protecting her mental health and maintaining focus on her work in films like Nope and her hosting duties. Her relationship with Darius Jackson, which began after they met at a Memorial Day party in May 2021, was a major shift. She went Instagram official with him in August 2021, publicly celebrating him as a partner and showing a side of her life she had previously kept hidden. This unprecedented openness made the subsequent public drama even more shocking to fans. The initial months of their romance were filled with sweet tributes and glimpses into their life together, including their shared excitement over Keke's pregnancy announcement during her Saturday Night Live monologue in December 2022.
2. The Controversial Tweet Was the Catalyst for Their Final Split
The most explosive and defining moment of their relationship occurred in July 2023. Keke Palmer attended an Usher concert in Las Vegas while wearing a sheer black dress and was serenaded by the R&B star. Darius Jackson took to Twitter to publicly criticize her outfit and her behavior, stating, "It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom." The comment immediately drew massive backlash, with fans and critics labeling his remarks as "misogynistic" and controlling. This public shaming, which occurred just five months after the birth of their son, Leodis, was widely reported as the final breaking point for the couple. Keke publicly responded by continuing to live her life and later collaborated with Usher on a music video, an act seen by many as a powerful statement of independence.
3. Keke Filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) Against Jackson
The split was not just a social media drama; it escalated into a serious legal matter. In November 2023, Keke Palmer filed a request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Darius Jackson, citing alleged domestic abuse. The court granted Keke the TRO and temporary sole custody of their son, Leo. This legal action brought a somber, serious tone to the breakup, moving it far beyond a simple celebrity squabble. The court proceedings underscored the severity of the issues in their relationship and Keke's commitment to protecting herself and her child.
4. Jackson’s Brother, Sarunas, Also Attempted to File a Restraining Order
Adding another layer of complexity to the drama, Darius Jackson’s brother, actor Sarunas Jackson, also attempted to file a temporary restraining order against Keke Palmer. Sarunas alleged that Keke was spreading mistruths about him and his family. However, a judge ultimately denied Sarunas Jackson's request for a restraining order against Keke Palmer, allowing her existing TRO against Darius to remain in place. This family entanglement highlighted the deep, public rift that the breakup had caused, extending the controversy beyond the immediate couple.
5. Keke’s 2025 Visual Album, *Just Keke*, Is Her Artistic Response
As of 2025, Keke Palmer has channeled the emotional turmoil of the split into her art. In June 2025, she released the visual album Just Keke, which serves as a powerful, creative chronicle of the past couple of years of her life. The album’s lyrics and accompanying film explicitly address the end of her relationship with Darius Jackson, offering fans a raw, unfiltered look at her feelings of betrayal, heartbreak, and eventual empowerment. This project is Keke's definitive statement on the matter, solidifying her current status as single, focused, and artistically renewed, and confirming that the "husband" chapter is firmly closed.
The Current Status: Single, Co-Parenting, and Thriving in 2025
As of late 2025, Keke Palmer is confirmed to be single and not actively seeking a new romantic partner. She has publicly stated that she is "not ready to be a cougar" and remains focused on her career and motherhood. Her life now centers on co-parenting her son, Leo, with Darius Jackson, a dynamic she has discussed with maturity and a focus on her child's well-being, even amidst the challenges.
Palmer has demonstrated immense strength and resilience, using the experience to fuel her creative output, including her visual album and other projects. Her journey from a private star to a public figure who experienced a highly visible relationship failure and recovery has resonated with many fans. While the "Keke Palmer husband" searches continue, the reality is that the celebrated actress is currently defining her own powerful path as a single mother and a formidable force in the entertainment industry, free from the constraints of a troubled partnership.
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