Keke Palmer’s Network Dragged For New Show About Asian Woman Attending HBCU

Keke Palmer is facing backlash after the release of "Southern Fried Rice," a series following an Asian student navigating an HBCU, on her KeyTV network.

According to the series trailer, "Southern Fried Rice" follows KoKo Johnson, a Korean American teen raised by Southern Black parents, as she begins her freshman year at a fictional historically Black college, Wright University.

The series stars Choyce Brown, Love Island's Kordell Beckham, Ashley India, and Page Yang.

While the show's creators said "Southern Fried Rice" explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural intersection, many social media users questioned the premise of the series and the choice to center a non-Black character ingratiating into HBCU life. Palmer faced criticism as the show is produced by her digital network, KeyTV, which launched in 2022 with a mission to “spotlight new Black creative voices.”

“I cannot begin to express how tone deaf this series is considering the current political climate,” one X user wrote.

"Meanwhile Asians successfully sued to reduce Black student enrollment at Ivy league schools..😐" another user pointed out.

Amid the backlash, Palmer, who serves as an executive producer on the show, defended "Southern Fried Rice" and its creator, adding that KeyTV is committed to supporting Black talent.

“Southern Fried Rice was created by Nakia Stephens,” Palmer said. “While I can’t speak to her inspiration for the show, I can speak to her dedication as a creative. Nakia has written, showran, and produced four shows alongside her Damn Write Originals team with KeyTV, and KeyTV has proudly invested over half a million dollars in her creations.”

“What you like is subjective, but the support of Black creatives is not. Whether you like it all or some or none, give these creators a chance to grow as we continue to grow in supporting them," she continued.

“Southern Fried Rice is exactly the kind of story I envisioned KeyTV telling — one that reflects our diverse realities while being full of humor, love, and heart,” the actress added.

Nakia Stephens, the show's creator, also spoke out amid the backlash, saying "Southern Fried Rice" was inspired by her own experience at Savannah State, where she saw non-Black students navigating historically Black spaces.

“I welcome conversation. I welcome curiosity,” Stephens said. “Our goal was to spark conversation around culture, belonging, and identity — and I think that’s what we’ve done.”

“Our director is a Black woman who attended an HBCU, and several of our producers, cast, and crew did as well. These are people who love and protect Black culture," she added.

Despite the defense, social media users expressed their frustrations with the show's concept. See their reactions below.

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