Lionsgate Signs Akeelah Star to TV Deal

SANTA MONICA, June 16: Lionsgate is developing television
projects for the 12-year-old actress/singer Keke Palmer, star of Akeelah and
the Bee, and may also cast her in existing
productions.

Kevin Beggs, the president of television programming and
production at Lionsgate, noted, “She’s an extremely gifted young performer and
we anticipate significant television opportunities for her.”

In addition to starring in Akeelah and the Bee, Palmer was featured in Lionsgate’s Madea’s
Family Reunion, and is set to star in the
Disney Channel Original Movie Jump.
She recently signed a long-term, worldwide recording contract with Atlantic
Records, a division of Warner Music Group. She has been seen on screen since
the age of 9, when she appeared in Barbershop 2: Back in Business, followed by roles in Strong Medicine, Cold Case, ER and Law
& Order, among others.