Keke Palmer Says She’s Been ‘Pouring So Much More Into Myself’ to Be the ‘Best Mom’ to Son Leodis (Exclusive)

Mom mode is bringing out the best in Keke Palmer.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the actress, 31, made an appearance at Vanity Fair and Instagram’s annual Vanities party, where she was positively glowing on the red carpet. Palmer — who has a 2-year-old son, named Leodis — told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at the Los Angeles event that she owes her vibrance to motherhood.

“I attribute it to self-love, which has been ignited even more so by my son," she says. "You know, when you have a kid, you're always trying to figure out what you can do better, how you can be better for the child, and loving yourself to me is No. 1."

"I feel like I've been pouring so much more into myself so that I can be the best mom to him. And it has made my life even more fulfilling, to be honest with you,” she adds.

Related: Keke Palmer Says Mom's Cameo in One of Them Days 'Made Me So Happy': She 'Showed Up and Showed Out' (Exclusive)

Palmer's career has been thriving alongside her parenting journey. The One of Them Days star has had a busy month, winning entertainer of the year at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, where she also won outstanding host for her NBC game show Password. Last weekend, she also stepped out to the 2025 SAG Awards in a glamorous Chanel archival gown famously worn by Jamie Lee Curtis.

At Wednesday's Vanities soirée, Palmer shouted out the stars who have been there for her throughout her rise in Hollywood, among them Curtis, 66.

"So many people have made themselves available to me at different moments in time, you know, whether it was Queen Latifah, Jamie Lee Curtis," she tells PEOPLE. "You know, I've had a lot of great experiences with other people in this industry who have lent a hand out to me and been supportive to me one way or another."

Related: Keke Palmer Reveals the 2 Surprising SNL Alums She Wants to See Impersonate Her (Exclusive) 

Amid the busy awards season, Palmer celebrated her son's second birthday on Feb. 25 by sharing an adorable Instagram carousel post in which she expressed her love for the toddler, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson.

"My life will never be the same. You have made me who I will forever be, a MOTHA. Leodis from the moment you were in my stomach I knew you were a strong little boy. I could just feel it!" she wrote in the caption. "Even though you are no longer in my stomach you are in fact my greatest strength. Idk if it's telepathy or what but you have taught me that I can do anything and as long as you are watching I promise I won't let you down. Strong baby, strong mommy!!!"

On an Instagram account she runs for Leodis, Palmer also posted a carousel of pictures highlighting the birthday bash thrown for the little boy.

She captioned the post from Leo's perspective, writing, "Happy birthday TO MEEEEE! I had the best birthday ever!! It started off with mommy braiding my hair. She really annoyed me with that but we were watching Nemo so I was distracted enough 😅."

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The caption continued: "After that I took a nap before my big party!! Mommy got all the things I like to play with when I go to My Gym, she even got Blippi to stop by, he's my Jay-Z hahahaha. I was looking for my Dad but he's serving currently and I felt him in spirit, was very happy to see my uncles and my grandpa and happy we were all there together. My friends and family new and old I am a very very GRATEFUL kid."

Palmer sweetly commented on the birthday party post, "Mommy loves you!!!!!!"

Read the original article on People