AceShowbiz - Keke Palmer, the beloved star of Nickelodeon's hit sitcom "True Jackson VP," is sharing her deeply personal journey from toxic relationships to a life of joy, self-awareness, and empowerment. Currently promoting her forthcoming book, "Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative," Palmer reveals the complexities that fame and young love brought into her life.

Reflecting on her past, Palmer candidly discusses an "inappropriate" relationship with an older man she encountered at the tender age of 15. "I had a great time doing True Jackson VP, but it was also a very stressful, difficult, depressive time," she shared in a recent interview with PEOPLE. This relationship, which lasted until she was 20, significantly impacted her early career and personal life.

"I was 15, he was 20," Palmer says of the partner she doesn't name. "I was trying to balance between being really young, but also feeling quite mature. If I thought it was inappropriate, then I wouldn't have done it." Reflecting further, she admits, "Obviously I shouldn't have been 15 dating no 20-year-old," and acknowledges that her young mind could not fully comprehend the power dynamics at play.

For years, Palmer kept this relationship hidden from her parents and the public. In "Master of Me," she writes, "The power dynamic put me in a place that harmed me in ways I couldn't have known. I didn't have the language or the strength to accept that who he met was a child, not the woman I wanted to become."

It wasn't until Palmer was in her late 20s that she felt she had experienced genuine love and respect in a relationship. Speaking about her ex, Darius Jackson, she says, "Not that I didn't love that [other] person, but it wasn't until I'd felt what it was like for someone to love me back and to actually give me respect, that I've realized that relationship was wrong." Palmer and Jackson welcomed their son Leo in February 2023.

Palmer's reflections come in the wake of a wave of allegations against Nickelodeon. Former cast and crew members have accused the network, including creator Dan Schneider and producer Brian Peck, of misconduct. Palmer and her mother spoke out, calling Schneider's sets "cultish" and describing a toxic work environment. Despite these challenges, Palmer's mother's protective nature played a crucial role in shielding her daughter from further harm.

Keke Palmer's journey is a powerful testament to resilience and the importance of self-awareness. Her forthcoming book, set to release on November 19, promises to offer more insights and lessons for young people striving to master their own narratives.