From making 3 billboards to finally getting attention from Tyler Perry in 2019, Racquel Palmer was not ready to stop at all – she still doesn’t seem ready to stop! She is an American actress who first had only a dream but was willing to work towards it until she earned roles as Blue in Tyler Perry’s BET+ All the Queen’s Men (2021-2023), Officer Rayah in Sistas (2020-2021), Angela Bridwell in East New York (2023), and Ciara in The Night Of (2016).
This is interesting but acting and daring are not the only things bagged by the actress. In 2014, Racquel also had her hands dipped in the writing and producing of the short film, Jake and Tanya (2014).
Let’s Start From the Very Beginning of Racquel’s Life Before Fame – I Mean, Her Family and Childhood
Racquel Palmer who according to IMDB was previously known as Racquel Bailey was born in Newark, New Jersey as the last of 5 siblings.
The actress’ parents led a quiet life but her mother grew up in the north as an educator for 40 years.
From a young age, Palmer took an interest in acting and would act and dress as a star even while playing at home. She was good that her parents and siblings were mostly not sure if she was acting or if she was being truthful. Either way, she honed her love for interpreting roles.
By the time she was 12, she went to high school and it was at that time that she first took her improv classes. By the time she was 16, she already knew that she wanted to take acting professionally.
Hence, she had a conversation with her parents and was also doing plays, skits, improv, and dancing. Also, she started auditioning for Off-Broadway and started doing classical theater.
Before we focus on her career and rise to stardom, why not look more into her education first? Well then, Palmer attended Lincoln University but later switched to Philly Dickinson University.
She Wanted to Do Classical Theater and Featured in Numerous Theatrical Works Before Fame
Racquel Palmer featured in several stage works long before she became a notable actress. She was interested in classical theater and at only 16, she auditioned as much as she could and played roles on stage.
She then moved to New York and worked on Broadway. Despite the talent and stage role interpretations, she didn’t garner the fame she wanted and TV roles were not forthcoming.
In 2014, she wrote and co-produced a short film titled Jake and Tanya. She played Tanya and was featured alongside Marlon Perrier (also produced), Russel Waheed, and Moire Kiyingi.
The same year, she also played the role of Shantae (as Racquel Bailey) in Hands to the Sky, Catch Them & They’re Yours.
Despite the roles, she did not reach the place she desired in her career. The good part is, she wasn’t even ready to give up.
2016 Was a Good Year in Palmer’s Career
In 2016, Racquel’s roles were not in short films as in the years before. Instead, she played a minor role as Ciara in The Night Of.
In the series, she was featured alongside the late actor Michael Kenneth Williams, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Camp.
Racquel Palmer Paid Three Times to Appear on Billboard but Finally Got Tyler Perry’s Attention The Third Time
In an interview, the Newark-born actress opened up that although it was the 2019 billboard of herself telling Tyler Perry that she may be his next star that got attention, it was not her first and neither was it the second time that she was trying.
While she attested that it was not okay and would not advise anyone to, she knew that she had to teach her children never to quit on themselves or their careers.
Before the last billboard that finally got heads turning, Palmer’s career was not blooming and had nurtured the thoughts of quitting. But what message was she sending her kids if she did and what about the sacrifices of her mother and husband? Seems like she had more to lose if she hadn’t made the post.
In any case, Perry had to speak out about the did and asked that no one should try it again. He went further to add that there are auditions that are free for actors and prospective actors.
Palmer proved herself and got a major role in Perry’s All the Queen’s Men series on BET+. She played the role of Blue from 2021-2023.
Prior to that, she played other roles in Sistas (2020-2021) and FBI (2020).
See Also: Kate Miller: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Actress
Now That We Know About Racquel’s Career, Let’s Look into Her Personal Life
Her Husband is an Actor and Businessman
Racquel Palmer is married to Dorséa Palmer – an actor, writer, businessman, and founder of Infinite House Studios, and The Palmer House.
His career in the film industry has not blossomed as much as Racquel’s nonetheless, the actress has credited her husband for putting his career on hold and pushing towards her success as an actress.
She also spoke about how he had to work 14 hours a day in order to provide and take care of the family. At the time of this report, Dorséa shares some videos of himself acting and also shares snippets of his writing on his Instagram page.
Now, looking at his life as a businessman, you would recall that we had earlier stated that Palmer’s husband is the founder of Infinite House Studios. The company is a broadcasting and media production company which also offers acting lessons.
The studio produced a film titled Saving Grace and it features Racquel.
Apart from this, Racquel Palmer’s husband also owns a clothing brand company known as The Palmer’s House.
The Mother of 2 Had Her First Child at 19
Palmer is a mother of 2 children, a son, and a daughter named Diana Yvette Palmer.
The actress had her first child, a son when she was 19 and while attending Lincoln. She then became a single mother but with the help of her parents and siblings, she was able to forge ahead in her career.
Then, she became married to her husband who according to her loves her son. With Dorséa, Palmer had a daughter Diana on June 20, 2018.
While the actress’ first child lives a more private life, the couple’s last child has been described as a fashion model.
