IML: First of all, congratulations on the album! Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Keke: Thank you! It's called So Uncool and it's coming out September 18. It's just really fun songs
for kids and adults. It doesn't have an age on it. It's
really a good record.

IML: Do you have a favorite song or one that has special meaning for you?

Keke: There's this one song called “Skin Deep.” I just love that song so much because it basically means, love yourself. Don't try to fit in to what everyone wants you to be, just be yourself and be happy with it.

IML: It sounds like there are some great messages in your music. What would you like young people, especially girls, to get out of the album?

Keke: Just to love yourself. I named my album So Uncool because it defies the ordinary, you're different from everyone else. It's like, being uncool MAKES you cool, because you're different!

IML: How is singing different from acting?

Keke: My singing shows a different side of me, and more of my own personality I think. Singing was actually my first love and acting just kind of pushed out for me first.

IML: What's it like to be on tour, performing live in front of audiences instead of working on a film set?

Keke: It's good, because I like seeing people's expressions when they see me on stage. When I do my thing, I like to see how they feel about it. As a performer I like having an audience all the time!

IML: It must be really cool to tour with the WNBA. What are your favorite experiences so far?

Keke: It's been a lot of fun so far! I'm just really excited about meeting all the players and we're just having a great time all the time.

IML: How did you get involved with the WNBA?

Keke: Atlantic Records and I and WNBA created a partnership with one another because I have a song called “Footworkin'” that's going to be their theme song this year. Basically, we talked to them about it and they let us promote "Footworkin'" and my record.

IML: Do you play a sport yourself?

Keke: I played basketball before. Not professionally, of course. But I'm playing on the tour! One of the players taught me how to do a right-hand layup. That was really exciting!

IML: Why do you think it's important for young people to find a sport they love and participate in it?

Keke: Because I think it gives you goals in life, it's always good when you have goals. Something that you want to be and strive for and make your dreams come true. Even if it's something little, you should always have one goal.

IML: Do you think it's important to be part of a team?

Keke: Definitely! Team playing, that's what I see when I'm out there watching the WNBA games. All the girls play as a team and they have each other's backs, and that's great.

IML: You're also involved with the WNBA's "BE Tour," which teaches young people about general healthy living and nutrition. What does that mean to you, "healthy living"?

Keke: It means a lot to me, because I'm always on the road doing a lot of things. So to be healthy is a major thing for me. Like if I don't drink enough water, I will just pass out. Working all the time, if I don't eat healthy it can really do damage to my body.

IML: Is it hard to eat healthy when you're on tour or on a set? Is it hard to make good choices?

Keke: It's definitely hard on the road! You never get home cooked meals because you're eating fast food. Whenever I'm home I try to slow it down and get a home cooked meal. My dad's a cook, fortunately!

IML: We know a lot of your fans think of you as a good role model. Do you have a role model yourself?

Keke: My parents are my role models. All they've done for me, they're just major people in my life. They've stood by me and got me where I am today.

IML: Do you have any siblings? Do you get along?

Keke: I have an older sister who's 18 and a younger brother and sister, they're twins. I get to see them often because they come on the shoots and we get along. My older sister and I used to get into fights and take stuff back from each other. We're just Indian givers! It was usually my fault anyway, messing with her or being rude to her. Growing up solved that.

IML: You play a lot of really strong characters. Is it important to you to play these kinds of roles?

Keke: It means a lot, because a lot of times people see us as weak. That's why when you see a strong character it makes such a big difference. I love a lot of these older actresses, like Cicely Tyson who played Kunta Kinte's mother in Roots. She was really great and I like seeing her, because every movie she plays, she plays a strong character. As a kid she was really inspiring to me.

IML: How did you get started in the business?

Keke: I just did school productions. First I auditioned for The Lion King and out of 400 kids, I made it down to the top 15 and then got cut. So I got an agent and got a part in Barbershop 2 playing Queen Latifah's niece. Akeelah was my first big movie.

IML: What are your plans for the future?

Keke: In the fall I have a movie called Cleaner coming out, with Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes.

IML: Thanks for talking to us, Keke, and good luck!

Keke: Thanks!

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