![Relationship timeline Keke Palmer and boyfriend Darius Jackson](https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Keke-Palmer-and-Boyfriend-Darius-Jackson-Relationship-Timeline-1.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
Keke Palmer found love at Darius Jackson Nearly two years before they welcomed their first child, their romance fizzled out in 2023.
“You’ve been a blessing from above,” Jackson enthused No star via his Instagram in August 2021. “Never expected the summer of 2021 to turn out like this, but here we are. I’m glad we were able to help each other in our lowest times and show each other that what we bring to the table is all we have.
Less than two years later, the couple announced in December 2022 that they were expecting their first child. Their son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, arrived in February 2023.
Shortly after welcoming baby Leo, personal trainer Jackson publicly praised Palmer. “This might be the first time I’ve seen you touch up after your child,” he joked in a joint Twitch video from April 2023. “You look beautiful.”
The two separated six months later. We weekly confirmed via court documents filed by Palmer in November 2023 that she is seeking full custody of their son.
Keep reading for a timeline of Palmer and Jackson’s relationship:
2021
The pair hooked up in early 2021, shortly before Jackson appeared at Palmer’s 28th birthday party. In party snaps shared to the former child star’s Instagram in August, the couple hugged and kissed during the festivities.
March 2022
During an interview with Bustle, Palmer gave her first comments about their relationship.
“I just think [this] was a moment in my life where I really stepped into this type of boss behavior [of doing] whatever I want to do,” she told the outlet of initially deciding to keep their relationship private. “This is the happiest I’ve ever felt with anyone. So why would I go out of my way to hide this person? That’s a lot more work than just living my life and being in my life. You know what I mean?”
![Keke Palmer gives birth, welcomes first child with boyfriend Darius Jackson - 613](https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Keke-Palmer-Gives-Birth-Welcome-1st-Child-With-Boyfriend-Darius-Jackson-613.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
December 2022
After fueling speculation that she was pregnant with her first child, Palmer confirmed the rumors in her Saturday evening live monologue.
“But honestly, this has been the biggest blessing, and I’m so excited. Guys, I’m going to be a mom,” she gushed on the 30 Rock stage while cradling her baby bump. “Even though some people think it’s a little weird that I’m having a baby because I was a child actor, I just want to say, ‘Look, I’m 29, I’m an adult, I’m having sex.’ [and] I own a house. …You know, things adults do. ”
Jackson watched the sketch show backstage and shared behind-the-scenes photos via his Instagram Story.
February 2023
Palmer announced on February 27 that she had given birth to son Leo earlier that month.
![Relationship timeline Keke Palmer and boyfriend Darius Jackson](https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Keke-Palmer-and-Boyfriend-Darius-Jackson-Relationship-Timeline-2.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
July 2023
The Scream queen Alum and her friends went to check it out Guard‘s Las Vegas concert, where Palmer stunned in a black, sheer dress. However, Jackson did not approve of her appearance.
“We live in a generation where a man of the family does not want the wife and mother of his children to show their buttocks to please others and is told how much of a hater he is,” he wrote via Twitter before deleting his post . account. “This is my family and my representation. I have standards and morals for what I believe. I rest my case.”
Amid the backlash, Palmer did not immediately address his comments. However, she gushed about her night out and seemingly appreciated his comments. “I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were too late! I’m telling you all right now, if you haven’t seen @usher yet, YOU MUST GO!! HE WAS SO FANTASTIC!!” she captioned Instagram photos from the show. “Delivering theatre, Atlanta downnn, tips and tricks and just absolutely iconic. I was really inspired as a performer. I shouted a lot of kicks too!’
August 2023
Palmer threw shade at Jackson in the “Boyfriend” music video, which she collaborated on with Usher. “What time is it? Damn, I missed the show. I’m so tired. I’m a mom after all,” she jokes in the footage.
Amid the drama, a source exclusively shared We weekly that Palmer and Jackson’s relationship is “complicated.”
“Those close to them hope they can work things out for the sake of themselves and their child,” the insider noted, adding, “They love each other. But they keep their lives very private.”
![Keke Palmer and Boyfriend Darius Jackson: A Timeline of Their Relationship](https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-1486397437.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
November 2023
Us confirmed that Palmer filed for a restraining order against Jackson a month after their relationship ended. She alleged in the filing that there were “many instances of physical violence” with Jackson during their time together. She alleged that some of the acts included “destroying my personal belongings including diaries and prescription glasses, throwing my belongings onto the street, throwing my car keys to prevent me from driving away, hitting [me] in front of our son, spewing profanities at our son about me, threatening to kill himself with a gun if I left him, harassment and other physical and emotional abuse.
Palmer is also seeking full custody of the couple’s son.