Former child star Keshia Knight Pulliam reveals that she would like to play Janet Jackson one day in a biopic. The woman that once stole America’s hearts as “Rudy” on “The Cosby Show,” tells Nick Cannon that she would like to play the famous Jackson, who also started on TV as a little girl.
Talk show host Nick Cannon had the Spelman grad on his show, days after she celebrated her sorority’s 109th Founders Day, to promote her new gig as the moderator for Lifetime’s “Married at First Sight” after-party.
During the “The Story of The Gram” segment of his self-titled show he celebrated a flick of Knight Pulliam hanging out with the “Rhythm Nation” artist.
Excited to the point of being tongue-tied, the comedian gushed over the post, saying, “This is my whole childhood … my whole puberty … from Keshia Knight Pulliam to Janet Jackson it made me happy. I need to know the story behind it.”
The mom of one said, “Listen, I absolutely love and adore Janet. I’ve told her for years.”
“I first met her when I was little. I was probably about 8 or 9 years old the first time,” she explains. “And I am like ‘Listen, if I am alive and able, when you are ready to do your life’s story, I’m playing you.”
Cannon says that he remembers talking about this with his childhood friend and declaring, “You would be perfect to play Janet Jackson.”
Many agreed with Cannon.
One fan wrote, “She would definitely be perfect playing Janet J.”
Another viewer cosigned the possible casting, saying, “Hey Nick, I think she’ll do good playing Janet Jackson in the movie.”
But others weren’t so sure. “I don’t see her playing Janet, as a big Janet fan (please don’t) All I’ll see is Rudy,” commented one.
Some fans just gave suggestions like “Halle Bailey,” “Ciara,” “Teyana Taylor” or “the 1990s version of Lark Voorhies” to play the five-time Grammy winner.
Knight Pulliam is aware that there may be circumstances that stop her from playing her friend. She says, “That is my dream and guess what … if for some reason I am too old and can’t do it, I will be directing or executive producing something. I will be a part of this.”
Hosting the after party for “Married at First Sight” and getting ready for her Janet Jackson portrayal are not the only projects she is locked in on. Knight Pulliam served as the narrator for “Eggs Over Easy,” which debuted on the OWN Network on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
The actress also partnered as the executive producer with her Spelman sisters and her HK Delta sorors Chiquita Lockley and Phylcia Fant to present a documentary that aimed to “investigate the taboo of infertility in the Black community.”
Through a collection of personal testimonies and expert sharing, the documentary includes dialogue that women don’t have about “the sometimes unpredictable path to motherhood.”
She posted about the documentary on Instagram saying, “Starting 2022 off right!!!! I am so excited for our documentary #EggsOverEasyFilm”
“I am so proud of this project and hope that it will empower, uplift, educate & help countless women feel heard and know that they are not alone!!!” she continued. “The road to motherhood is not for the faint of heart… however, if motherhood is what you choose, the reward at the end of the rainbow is priceless!!”