Keke Palmer’s latest performance at Derrick Rose’s Jersey Retirement night has sparked a firestorm that has very little to do with her singing.
On Saturday night, the thirty-two-year-old star took to deliver a powerful, soaring rendition of the National Anthem for Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony at the United Center. While her vocals were undeniably sharp and showcased the professional range fans have come to expect, the applause was muffled by a growing wave of criticism online.
The backlash stems from a deep-seated frustration regarding the company Keke keeps in the public eye. While the night was meant to celebrate Derrick Rose becoming the fifth player in Bulls history to have his number hanging from the rafters, many spectators couldn’t separate the man from his controversial legal past.
In 2015, Rose was the center of a high-profile civil lawsuit involving allegations of gang rape and drugging an ex-girlfriend. Although a jury eventually found Rose and his associates not liable, the details of the case, including Rose’s own testimony regarding his interpretation of consent, left a permanent stain on his reputation for many advocates against domestic and sexual violence.
For Keke Palmer’s audience, her participation in the event feels like a betrayal of her own brand. Over the last year, Keke has been transparent about her own harrowing experiences with domestic turmoil involving the father of her child. Fans find it difficult to reconcile her personal advocacy with her professional choices. This isn’t the first time she has faced this specific brand of heat, either. Last year, she faced immense pressure after attempting to host an interview with Jonathan Majors following his legal troubles, and more recently, her livestream with Blueface left a bad taste in the mouths of those who feel she shouldn’t be platforming men accused of mistreating women.
Derrick Rose is a hometown hero in Chicago, a kid from Englewood who reached the pinnacle of the NBA before injuries derailed his prime. To many, he is a symbol of resilience. But to others, seeing a woman of Keke’s stature help facilitate his “redemption tour” feels like an erasure of the very real issues facing Black women today. Critics argue that by showing up and showing out for men with checkered histories, Keke is inadvertently signaling that these allegations aren’t deal-breakers for her brand.
Keke Palmer’s performance was technically flawless, but in 2026, talent is rarely enough to shield a celebrity from the politics of accountability. As the clips of her high notes continue to circulate, they are being met with as many “eye-rolls” as “likes.” People aren’t necessarily mad at how she sang; they are mad at why she was there in the first place.
