Most 20-year-olds have trouble defining the word ambition, much less actually living it — but not Keke Palmer.
After conquering television with her addictive Nickelodeon show “True Jackson VP,” starring in successful films like “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” and blazing trails in music — Palmer is now focused on taking over the daytime talk show circuit.
On Monday, she will become the youngest talk show host in TV history with the premiere of “Just Keke,” airing weekdays at 5 p.m. on BET.
Palmer says her show, which will precede “106 and Park,” will be packed with valuable conversations about pop culture, dating and social issues geared toward the young generation.
“I was inspired to do this show based on my life situations and what I was going through,” she says. “Growing up, I never really got a chance to socialize or talk to people my age because I was home-schooled since the fifth grade.”
At a time when twerking, violent fights and other reckless behavior is applauded on social media, Palmer wants to use her platform to inspire.
“I just feel like young people aren’t really talking about anything. Everything is about living the ‘ratchet lifestyle,’ ” she says. “There is nothing out there right now that is feeding the intellectual side of my generation.”
And she has help drilling home that message, with “Judge Mathis” host Greg Mathis providing guidance as an executive producer.
“Judge Mathis was the first person who believed in the project; he started it all along with my dad,” says Palmer, adding that Mathis — whose syndicated show has been a critically acclaimed success for 15 years — tells her to keep it real. “The best advice Judge Mathis gave me was to be myself,” she says.
As she navigates the troubled waters of adulthood, Palmer knows she isn’t perfect, but she’s become less interested in the public’s opinion on her life.
“I had a lot of tough years when I was doing ‘True Jackson VP.’ I was making a lot of money. In turn, I became a people-pleasing kid,” she says. “I didn’t want anybody to think I was selfish or a brat.
“Now, I just want people to understand who I am.”
Entering the daytime talk show space will be an intimidating challenge for Palmer, who wants to make a lasting impression starting with Monday’s “Just Keke” premiere.
And since Ellen DeGeneres has her crazy dancing and Wendy Williams her “How you doin’?” line, Palmer is still working out what her shtick will be.
“I may adopt ‘Meanwhile, back at the ranch,’ ” she says. “I have been saying this line for months. It changes all the time for me.”
Although her witty one-liners may change, Palmer’s message will stay the same.
“This show isn’t about me, it’s about my generation,” she says. “Young people don’t realize all the possibilities in life. I truly believe that we can do anything.
“We don’t need adults to talk to us; we should be talking to each other and figuring out our problems ourselves.”