When the trailer for KeyTV’s new series “Southern Fried Rice” dropped this week, social media almost immediately erupted in criticism, calling the series’ premise tone-deaf, as it centers a Korean American student raised by southern Black parents at a fictional HBCU.
As executive producer and KeyTV founder, Keke Palmer addressed critics in an Instagram video, centering her remarks on creator Nakia Stephens and KeyTV’s investment in Black talent. Palmer said, “I wanted to chop it up real quick about this series called ‘Southern Fried Rice’ that’s premiering on KeyTV that is receiving some controversial feedback. Now, ‘Southern Fried Rice’ was created by Nakia Stephens. While I can’t speak to her inspiration for the show, I can speak to her dedication as a creative,” and added, “Look, what you like is subjective, but the support of Black creatives is not… So, whether you like it all or some or none, I say give these creators a chance to grow as we continue to grow in supporting them.”
For Palmer, this is more than criticism. This is a chance to showcase just how much she does for the culture. In her caption, she wrote:
“It’s my mission with @keytvnetwork to help fund and support the creators of color behind the scenes, giving them a chance to tell their own story.
The camera operators, costumer designers, writers, directors, prop masters and the list goes on. There is a common complaint about there not being a lot of black people in the hair and makeup union. The lack of black creators in high positions is a big source of this. It’s KeyTV’s mission to democratize the industry and support black people in business positions that don’t always include us performing. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there is so much more we can do and have to offer!”
Stephens, a Savannah State alumna, told reporters she “welcomes conversation” and said that the series is “10 plus years in the making.” She also explained that the series was inspired by her own HBCU experience and observations of non-Black students navigating historically Black spaces. “Our ultimate goal was to spark conversation around culture, around belonging and identity,” she said.
“Southern Fried Rice” streams on KeyTV’s YouTube channel. Palmer and Stephens say viewers can tune in and judge the story for themselves while supporting the Black creatives behind it.
