Keke Palmer Says SZA’s Acting Debut Will Have the World ‘Gagged’

Keke Palmer is a proud friend. In a new interview with People ahead of the release of One of Them Days, the actress praised costar SZA‘s performance in the film and said that viewers aren’t even prepared for how brightly the singer-songwriter shines in her new vocation.

“The world is about to be just gagged,” Palmer said of the “Kill Bill” musician’s performance in One of Them Days, which marks SZA’s acting debut. “Honestly, it’s so, so good.”

“I really am just so proud of you and the movie,” Palmer added, sitting next to the Grammy winner and producer Issa Rae. “It’s all, to me, a match made in heaven.”

SZA also confessed that she’s “scared as hell” for the film to come out. “I’m trying something brand new,” she told the outlet. “All I can do is try my best, you know, and thank God for the opportunity and just kinda lean into and accept it as a growing experience. I have tons of fears of being perceived on camera, talking, my voice, being next to Keke, who’s a superstar of so many multitudes.”

Directed by Lawrence Lamont and slated to hit theaters Jan. 17, One of Them Days stars the Nope actress and “Saturn” musician as best friends and roommates whose day is turned upside down when they must struggle to come up with rent money quickly before they are evicted. SZA and Palmer first crossed paths in December 2022, when the former served as the musical guest on an episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by the latter.

“[SZA] freaking killed it,” Rae told People of the film. “Watching [SZA] show up and be present and wanting to do the best job possible — and actually doing it — it just made sense and it all fit together.”