On Jan. 22, singer, author, and actress, Keke Palmer posted a statement to her Instagram regarding her appearance in Trey Songz video for a single called “Pick Up The Phone.” According to Keke, the footage was taken without her knowledge or consent and then publicly used without her permission.
The single includes lyrics like, “I palm that p*ssy, like Keke,” while Palmer is featured in the background taking selfies on her phone.
Keke took to Instagram after seeing herself unknowingly used in her “friend’s” video and wrote a statement to Trey, detailing her experience and calling him out for violating her wishes.
She admits to resorting to hiding in a closet to avoid conflict, while he continues to pressure and sexually intimidate her into being in his video. And while Trey did eventually “give in” and reassured her that he respected her wishes, he continued to film her anyway and post the content without her consent.
In my opinion, this is wrong. This is a direct violation of a woman’s bodily rights. This is one of the reasons millions of women marched all over the world this past weekend. Because men like you think you have the right to sexually harass and exploit us.
Trey, no means no in any and every circumstance. It doesn’t matter if you have known her for years, it doesn’t matter if you fed her and invited her over to your house, it doesn’t matter if she’s consented to being in other people’s videos for free before. If she did not want to be a part of this particular project of yours, then you had no right to coerce and then force her into it AT ALL.
By uploading content of Keke, you have taken for granted her friendship, her presence, and her brand. It is not fair or right to take advantage of your female friends like this and exploit them/sexually intimidate them for whatever profit you may make.
And, no, your weak attempt at an apology doesn’t cut it either:
Trey, by saying you “have real problems and to keep petty shit off your timeline,” you’ve completely invalidated Keke’s personal feelings and blamed her as a victim of sexual intimidation. You disregarded everything she said in her previous post and tweeted that she was “buggin.” You indirectly made any other women who have been victims of similar circumstances feel invalidated as well.
None of this is fair to Palmer and none of this should have happened in the first place. Trey Songs clearly doesn’t respect his female friends or their right to reject him or any of his propositions. Being a friend and a fellow artist to you does not mean she owes you any type of service at any point in time and it absolutely doesn’t mean you have any entitlement to film her for your video just because you “thought you had a good idea.”
The video has since been removed from Youtube but that doesn’t make your actions any lesser.
Using and taking advantage of women in any industry is NEVER okay-especially one where there are millions of eyes on you at any opportunity.
I honestly hope that this serves as a lesson. You do not take from the women who have loved and supported you throughout the years. You do not use the woman you “call a friend,” for any type of benefit. You do not sexually intimidate and scare someone into doing something they have already decided not to do. No one should have to hide from anyone out of fear of conflict.
The fact that stuff like this is still happening to women in the entertainment industry is disturbing. As fans, we are asking you to do better, to treat women better, to not exploit them or abuse them for monetary gain. This industry wouldn’t be thriving without women and the female perspective. Respect that. Uplift that. Take care of that.
