What Happened to Key and Peele? The Keegan Michael Key Wife Rumor Explained
Comedian Akilah Hughes implied that Elle Key, the wife of Key and Peele comedian Keegan-Michael Key, has “ruined” her husband’s career due to her hostile behavior. Hughes avoids the explicit mention of the actor and his wife, but the pseudonyms as well as other hints in her story point to the possibility that the comedian is talking about the pair.
In her latest comedy set, Hughes’ story revolved around the first half of the comedy duo, “Lock and Banana,” and her experience working with him back in 2020. Hughes pitched her show, and at that time, Lock managed to strike a deal with SNL.
Hughes said that she had a deal with Lock, where he was supposed to say the name of the show they’re concocting but forgets to do that entirely. Instead, Lock’s ending spiel becomes all about thanking his wife. Hughes’ agent at the time checked up on her and asked how people feel about Lock’s wife—who, for some reason, supposedly became the executive producer for Hughes’ show.
“You know, I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think people like her very much,” Hughes said.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m hearing,” her agent replied. Nevertheless, her agent reassured her that Hughes and Lock are well-liked and that the project “will come together.” Hughes let the small matter go, and she allegedly got a deal from a major studio she codenamed “Vermin.”
Akilah Hughes receives a deal from ‘Vermin’
She says she couldn’t name the studio because she doesn’t want to be sued. Hughes went on to describe the studio, and the crowd seemed to have guessed correctly. “You can imagine that their main character is vermin. If he were in your house, you wouldn’t like that. But if he were at a theme park, you might be excited to see him,” Hughes said.
Who else would have a rodent for a symbol but Disney? This is, again, all alleged.
“I just had dinner with Lock and his wife, and they said they were doing a show with you,” Banana’s wife allegedly said. She continued, “I’m just calling you because I wish someone would’ve warned me.”
It wasn’t just a friendly call. What followed was a warning from Banana’s wife, telling Hughes why she doesn’t trust Lock’s wife. Banana’s wife compared Lock’s wife to late Phil Hartman’s wife. For those not in the know, Brynn Hartman shot Phil in his sleep—she took her life afterwards.
But most shockingly, Banana’s wife also said, “There’s no accounting for how much money she’s cost that Black man.” At the time, Hughes was watching television. She reported that the television blacked out the moment Banana’s wife dropped those words. Hughes said she should have taken this warning as the second red flag, but she still pursued the opportunity because Lock and his wife were just “lending their names to the project.”
Strange suggestions from Lock’s wife
During a last meeting regarding sketches during May 2022, Hughes said that Lock’s wife joined the Zoom call to offer “notes.” She had three odd suggestions that Hughes still couldn’t forget.
First, “comedy happens in threes,” second, “the letter K is funny,” and lastly, “give the audience some candy.” Hughes was confused by the suggestion. Then, Hughes said that Lock’s wife threatened to sue all because people did not find her ideas funny. Being sued stalled the project. Lock and his wife were written off, and Hughes could continue, but only if she produced a new script.
But with Bob Iger’s return as CEO of Disney, the show was canceled.
Apparently, bitter experiences with Lock’s wife are an insider open secret in Hollywood. Hughes brought up a text message from an anonymous source who recounted seeing Lock’s wife feign an allergy to eucalyptus.
Whenever I see him, I can only think of his wife. She had a bunch of food allergies. And she had an allergy attack about a eucalyptus plant by her table at Tribeca Grill (on the celeb sighting list!). Acting like she couldn’t breathe. Plant was fake and I showed it to them. She said oh. And acted totally normal after that.”
At least Lock apologized and left a big tip after the strange encounter.
(featured image: Comedy Central)
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