Why the “I Love Boosters” Cast Wants 'Bigger Swings' from Hollywood (Exclusive)

Jack SmartWed, June 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC

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(Left-right:) Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige and Keke Palmer in 'I Love Boosters'Credit: Neon -

Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige and Keke Palmer talk to PEOPLE about their provocative indie movie I Love Boosters, now available on digital platforms

The trio of actresses want the powers that be in Hollywood to “consider taking bigger swings,” as Paige says

“In order for things to be a success, they have to get a chance to be such,” says Palmer

Keke Palmer, Taylour Paige and Naomi Ackie are issuing a challenge to Hollywood.

For the stars of critically acclaimed indieI Love Boosters (on digital platforms now following its May 22 theatrical release), success in the filmmaking industry means studios playing the long game.

“Can they consider taking bigger swings?” asks Paige, 35, speaking to PEOPLE with her costars ahead of the Boots Riley movie’s release. “Because the more bigger swings, the more it becomes a part of our consciousness that that's what films are.”

Keke Palmer in 'I Love Boosters'Credit: NEON/YouTube

By greenlighting original ideas — like I Love Boosters, a colorful tale of designer clothes shoplifters bucking the capitalist system — Paige says that audiences start to “expect” originality when going to the movie theater.

“I think it's psychological,” explains the Zola star. “Whatever you're making, you're basically saying, ‘This is important to make.’ But if you keep making things that are bigger swings instead of just what feels safe, maybe people will come around.”

Besides, as Ackie says, an idea that’s supposedly a certain hit often ends up as anything but. In the world of Hollywood, studio execs and gatekeepers have “this illusion that something is safe,” the British actress, 34, says. “Nothing is safe.”

So, adds Paige, “Let's have courage.”

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I Love Boosters, costarring LaKeith Stanfield, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle and Demi Moore, was what Ackie calls “a true indie,” financed and made without the backing of a major studio. Palmer, who plays the comedy’s fashionable heroine Corvette, praises distributor Neon and the teams who helped promote it to audiences.

“You have to spend money to make money,” says the Emmy winner, 32. “In order to really make people even feel like something is worth watching, it doesn't just begin and end with a great movie. It also begins and ends with the marketing. And that takes a lot of money.”

(Left-right:) Eiza Gonzalez, Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu and Naomi Ackie at the SXSW premiere of 'I Love Boosters' on March 12Credit: Hubert Vestil/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty

In addition to a project like I Love Boosters “being good,” continues Palmer, “in order for things to be a success, they have to get a chance to be such… Even though this is an indie film, they're doing their best foot forward. Look at what we have here!”

At the end of the day, she adds, “You have to make it an event and make it fun. That's what entertainment is about.”

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I Love Boosters is now available to watch on digital platforms.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”