Keke Palmer Spoke Up — and What She Said About Trey Songz Had Us All Shook
By D.M.April 1 2025, Updated 8:56 p.m. ET
The Breakdown: Keke Palmer shocked the world when she suggested that Trey Songz used her image in a music video without her consent. The drama was just the beginning for the “Say Aah” singer.
Actress and singer Keke Palmer has been candid about an unsettling experience involving R&B artist Trey Songz. In 2017, Palmer accused Songz of including her in his music video without her consent and alleged that he employed "sexual intimidation" during the incident. Here is a look at how the ordeal unfolded.
What did Keke Palmer say about Trey Songz?
Following the premiere of Trey’s “Pick Up the Phone” music video, Keke wasted no time putting the singer on blast. The actress admittedly attended a party in Miami where Trey was filming the music video. Despite her explicit refusal to participate, she claimed that Songz pressured her to appear on camera. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, Palmer said she hid in a closet to avoid being filmed. Nevertheless, footage of her was included in the video.
"This is preposterous. How am I in this video Trey? After you found me in a closet HIDING because I was so afraid of anymore conflict," Keke wrote (via Teen Vogue). "Literally my last option was to hide because you all would not listen when I said I did not want to be in the video the FIRST time. Just cause you give someone food and alcohol and throw in a little sexual intimidation doesn't mean they will buckle. Yet, you still disrespected me as a young woman.”
Keke further addressed the incident in an interview with People, expressing her discomfort and asserting that her consent was disregarded. “Not always did I say something, but I said something in that particular situation because my likeness was being used, and I'm just a business person in that regard,” she said.
Trey denied the allegations, claiming that Keke had ample opportunity to decline participation and suggesting that she could have addressed her concerns privately.
Trey Songz has been accused of assault multiple times.
The incident involving Keke was not the last time Trey would be accused of assault. In 2018, a woman alleged that the singer sexually assaulted her at a Miami nightclub on New Year's Day. She later filed a $10 million lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed. In December 2021, former University of Las Vegas basketball player Dylan Gonzalez accused Trey of raping her at a Las Vegas hotel. Songz denied the allegation.
In February 2022, another woman filed a $20 million lawsuit against Trey, accusing him of raping her in March 2016. This civil suit was settled in 2024 following mediation. Additionally, in October 2023, two women alleged that Trey sexually assaulted them after a 2015 house party, People reports. They claimed they woke up to find the singer performing non-consensual sexual acts on them. Trey’s attorney dismissed the claims.
These allegations and legal battles have significantly impacted the singer’s public image and career. While some cases have been settled or dismissed, the recurring nature of the accusations continues to raise concerns about his behavior.
