Keke Palmer received a sweet birthday surprise from her son, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson, while on the set of her Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast.
The actress and singer, who celebrates her 33rd birthday today, Aug. 26, was brought to tears after watching a sweet video message from her 3-year-old son.
“Happy birthday, mommy. Happy birthday, mama. I love you,” Leo said in the clip.
Moments later, Keke got an even bigger surprise when the toddler walked onto the set holding a balloon alongside Keke’s parents, who came bearing balloons and a birthday cake.
As they sang “Happy Birthday,” an emotional Keke greeted her son.
“Hi, Leo, beo,” she said.
“I love you so much, son. I love you so much,” she told him. “Son, you made me just so happy, son.”
“I love your outfit, boo,” she added.
Keke’s mom, Sharon Palmer, revealed that the family had kept Leo hidden for three hours while they waited to surprise her.
“We hid him for three hours, and for the whole three hours, he kept saying, ‘I want to see my mama. I want to say happy birthday,’” she shared.
“Thank you, girl. That took me out. That took me out,” Keke responded.
However, Leo had one request for helping his grandparents pull off the surprise: cake and ice cream.
“You know what he charged them for coming here?” Sharon joked. “He said he needed some cake and ice cream.”
Luckily, both were waiting for him when he arrived.
Keke welcomed Leo with her ex, Darius Jackson, in February 2023. Since becoming a mom, the multi-hyphenate has frequently spoken about motherhood and the special bond she shares with her son.
While celebrating Leo’s second birthday in February 2025, Keke reflected on just how much motherhood has changed her.
“My life can and will never be the same. You have made me who I will forever be, a MOTHA,” she wrote on Instagram. “Leodis, from the moment you were in my stomach, I knew you were a strong little boy. I could just feel it! Even though you are no longer in my stomach, you are, in fact, my greatest strength.”
