That Girl Lay Lay on Child Stardom, Growing Up & Life After Nickelodeon

Keke Palmer (0:00)

Today, I'm sitting down with Alaya High, also known as That Girl Lay Lay. Like me, she knows what it means to grow up in this business and have the world know your name before they fully understand the person behind it. She became the youngest female rapper ever signed to a major label, went from viral freestyles to starring in her own Nickelodeon show. And now, she's building her next era as an artist, creator, and young black woman. We're talking music, family, fame, social media, relationships, and what it takes to keep growing when the world is still attached to the version of you they first met. So, let's get into it. Baby, this is Keke Palmer, and baby, this is Lay Lay.

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Come on, girl.

Alaya High (1:37)

Hello. Hi, Keke.

Keke Palmer (1:40)

You look so good, boo.

Alaya High (1:43)

How are you? I'm fantastic. How are you?

Keke Palmer (1:46)

I'm doing good. We on the East Coast. You know, how's everything going down in Houston? I know that's where you're from.

Alaya High (1:51)

Yes, it's going well. I recently just moved down back there.

Keke Palmer (1:55)

Yeah, you were in LA for a while, huh?

Alaya High (1:57)

I was in LA for two years while filming my show, and then I lived in Atlanta. I love Atlanta.

Keke Palmer (2:02)

I spent a lot of work in Atlanta.

Alaya High (2:04)

Yes, I love working in Atlanta. I think more than LA. It's just a different feeling.

Keke Palmer (2:09)

Especially with music.

Alaya High (2:10)

You can get with so many people. It's very creative.

Keke Palmer (2:12)

I mean, no shade to LA., but you know, Atlanta's that music scene.

Alaya High (2:16)

We got to be real. It's different.

Keke Palmer (2:18)

Well, I'm so happy you're here on the podcast, girl.

Alaya High (2:20)

I'm happy to be here.

Keke Palmer (2:21)

It was so crazy when you were coming on here. I was talking to my team that is still part of the same team that I had when I was on GMA 3 And we were talking about when you came on it with your dad.

I think this is right before your TV show, right when your TV show happened.

Alaya High (2:34)

Yes, I was probably 12 or 13

Keke Palmer (2:36)

Which is so crazy. So we go way back.

Alaya High (2:38)

Right.

Keke Palmer (2:39)

I love that.

Alaya High (2:40)

I love that.

Keke Palmer (2:40)

Okay, so we did our pre-show pull-up. I'm about to get to know you a little bit more. Your first name is actually Alaya High.

Alaya High (2:46)

Come on, Alaya.

Keke Palmer (2:47)

Alaya High. Now, do people call you Alaya?

Alaya High (2:49)

My family does. Okay, cute, cute. My family does, but fans and friends, they call me either Lay or Lay Lay. Oh, Lay Lay, hey.

Keke Palmer (2:56)

Zodiac sign is Aquarius. I feel like that is correct. You give me that fun, flirty energy. I live for an Aquarius vibe.

Alaya High (3:03)

Yes. Yeah.

Keke Palmer (3:04)

You're rising as a Leo. Do you feel any connection to the Leo of it all?

Alaya High (3:08)

I think when it comes to my looks, I'm giving Leo. You know, when it comes to the nails, you know, the black, red bottoms underneath, the lavage.

Keke Palmer (3:15)

I love when you were doing the wide, like you were doing like some type of wide. The dot tips.

Alaya High (3:19)

That was very cute. Yes, they hated them, so I stopped doing them.

Keke Palmer (3:21)

I like, I was like, yes, she put me on or something. My girl Lay Lay put me on or something. I was with that.

Alaya High (3:26)

Those are my favorite ones. Yeah, very cute.

Keke Palmer (3:28)

Gemini moon. People be getting on me, but I like Gemini's now. Okay, y'all.

Alaya High (3:33)

I like them. I love Gemini's, but I think my emotions are ruled by the Gemini moon. And I have a time with that.

I think already being an Aquarius, I'm already kind of, woo. And then the Gemini's like, woo, more. And then Alaya's just like, bow. Like it's just too much.

Keke Palmer (3:51)

But that's what makes the perfect cocktail. What are you most grateful for today? To be here on Keke Show, doing what I love. I was so excited too to have you on. So I was like, yes, my girl Lay Lay, let's get her on there and just catch up. Cause it's been so long.