In a recent episode of her podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer, actress and singer Keke Palmer sat down with boxing champion Claressa Shields and actress Ryan Destiny. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Palmer jokingly asked Shields about a past controversy involving rapper Remy Ma.
“When are you knocking Remy Ma out?” Palmer quipped, prompting laughter from Destiny and Shields. The lighthearted moment referenced a public feud that erupted in late 2023 between Shields, Remy Ma, and Remy’s estranged husband, Papoose.
A Feud That Took the Internet by Storm
The dispute became public when Remy Ma accused Papoose of infidelity, alleging he had a romantic relationship with Shields. Screenshots of alleged text messages between Shields and Papoose surfaced online, fueling speculation. One of the messages, reportedly from Shields, read, “You have to be accountable for your actions. You’re the one who’s married.”
Remy Ma publicly expressed her frustration, claiming that Papoose had fallen asleep on the phone with Shields while still at their home. She also accused Shields of spreading misleading narratives about the situation. Shields, however, questioned why Remy was solely directing her anger at her instead of also addressing Papoose’s alleged actions. Meanwhile, Papoose fired back, labeling Remy Ma a “narcissist” and accusing her of past infidelities as well.
Shields Breaks Her Silence
During Palmer’s podcast, Shields reflected on how the controversy blindsided her.
“Listen, I woke up that morning just as shocked as everybody. Like, ‘What the hell? Oh my God. What’s going on?’” Shields said. She went on to explain that she had been focused on promoting her film, The Fire Inside, when the rumors took over headlines.
“I want to promote the movie. What is this?” she said, shaking her head. “I think it’s not about the problem; it’s about how you handle the problem. And I think I handled it very well.”
Shields’ Story Hits the Big Screen
Shields’ journey to success is now the subject of The Fire Inside, a biopic directed by Rachel Morrison and written by Barry Jenkins. The film stars Ryan Destiny as Shields, capturing her rise from a determined young athlete to a record-breaking champion. Shields made history as the first American female boxer to win Olympic gold, overcoming obstacles in a male-dominated sport.
Beyond her athletic career, the film also explores the struggles Shields has faced outside the ring, from financial challenges to the lack of endorsement deals compared to her male counterparts. Shields hopes the film sheds light on these issues and inspires young female athletes to push forward despite adversity.
Palmer’s candid conversation with Shields offered fans a rare glimpse into the boxer’s personal and professional life. Although the drama with Remy Ma may still linger in the background, Shields remains focused on her future, both in and out of the ring. With her career still thriving, it seems she has no plans to let past controversies define her legacy.