SI LifeStyle

Keke Palmer Becomes First Female Game Show Host to Win Emmy in 15 Years

The actress is the star of NBC’s ‘Password’ alongside Jimmy Fallon.

Ananya Panchal

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer.

Keke Palmer is taking steps to shatter the glass ceiling. The Akeelah and the Bee actress just won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for her role on NBC’s Password at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Jan 7. 

It was a historic moment, as the 30-year-old became the first woman in 15 years to receive the honor (it was last awarded to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’s Meredith Vieira in 2009). Palmer is also the first Black woman to ever be nominated for or win the category.

“Wow. That is so exciting thank you so much. I’m really just so thankful, I’m almost speechless,” she said in her acceptance speech. “I want to thank the people who allowed this to happen, thank you to Jimmy Fallon, thank you to NBC.”

The mom of one, who welcomed baby boy Leodis Andrellton last February, echoed that same heartfelt statement on Instagram.

She showed off her stunning chocolate leather gown, sculpted figure and happiness in a series of sweet photos holding her award as she beamed bright.

“Couldn’t do it without you @jimmyfallon! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of such a classic game show such as Password. It’s a true honor, I won! I’m excited, BOOTS! Thank you to the @televisionacad ✨,” the True Jackson, VP star captioned the carousel she shared with her 13.9 million followers.

“BABY THIS IS KEKE PALMER!!! Congratulations 🫶🏽✨,” Liza Koshy commented.

“Yall didn’t know my girl Keke was a ICON! 🥹👏🏾👏🏾,” Zach Campbell cheered.

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards precede the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which are set to take place next Sunday, Jan. 15 on FOX.

Palmer joined Jimmy Fallon as the host of Password in 2022. Watch episodes on nbc.com/password.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.

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