Keke Palmer’s son is entering a chatty new phase, and the actress couldn’t be more delighted about it.
In an exclusive conversation with the 33 year old shared that her 3 year old son, Leodis Leo Andrellton Jackson, has been expanding his vocabulary in impressive ways lately. Palmer described her son as recently mastering more advanced words, including “tarantula” and “destination,” calling out just how proud she is that he’s tackling multisyllabic terms at such a young age.
She painted a picture of a household filled with constant chatter these days, explaining that her son has entered a stage where he’s talking nonstop and genuinely absorbing new information as he goes.
Leo picks up mom’s favorite phrases
Palmer, who shares Leo with ex Darius Jackson, revealed that her son doesn’t just build his own vocabulary he also mirrors specific phrases he hears her use often.
One playful example came from their trips to the arcade. Palmer explained that while playing a Jurassic Park themed game together, she tends to narrate dramatically, sometimes warning imaginary dinosaurs not to get her son. According to Palmer, Leo has started echoing that exact line back to her mid game, repeating her protective phrasing word for word.
Another instance stems from Palmer’s own protectiveness as a parent. She noted that because she frequently says phrases like not my son in defense of Leo, he’s come to associate the word son with deep affection. As a result, she shared that Leo has started using the term toward his young cousin, stepping in during moments when his aunt raises her voice at the little girl and telling her not to speak to my son that way even though the cousin is a girl.
Palmer, a mom of one, described the whole dynamic as endlessly charming, noting that Leo appears to be modeling her own protective instincts, just applying them in his own toddler logic.
New milestones at the aquarium and beyond
Beyond his verbal leaps, Palmer shared that Leo is soaking up knowledge across several of his favorite activities. At the aquarium, she said he’s taken to counting an octopus’s limbs, and while he’s aware the correct term is tentacles, the family sticks with calling them legs to make the concept easier for him to grasp.
The pair has also added bike rides to their routine now that Leo is big enough to safely sit in a back mounted bike seat, something Palmer said has opened the door to new outdoor adventures together. The Emmy winner reflected on how many new experiences they’re able to share now that her son has grown, framing this period as one full of meaningful milestones.
Balancing motherhood with advocacy work
Palmer’s update comes as she partners with pharmaceutical company Sanofi to raise awareness around Beyfortus ahead of the upcoming RSV season, lending her platform as a mother to a broader public health conversation.
The Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast host continues to balance her career with the day to day joys of raising Leo, and her latest comments suggest a household filled with laughter, learning and plenty of talking. As Leo continues to hit new developmental markers, Palmer appears eager to document and celebrate each one, from big vocabulary wins to bike rides around the block.
