When actress/singer Keke Palmer received the script for her new movie “Joyful Noise,” it was almost like the role was written specifically for her. Not was it the first in her career that gave her the opportunity to do a whole lot of singing, the actual character hit really close to home.

In the film Palmer plays Olivia Hill, a talented church choir member whose mother (Queen Latifah) is put in charge of leading their group to a national competition.

“I grew up in the choir and my mother was a choir director as well,” Palmer, 18, told EXTRA during an interview last week. “The whole theme of the movie was very similar to my story. When I heard about it I immediately wanted to jump on it. I was like, ‘I have to do it!’”

Originally from Harvey, Ill., Palmer rose to prominence in 2006 with the lead role in the drama “Akeelah and the Bee” opposite Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. Along with her movie career, Palmer stars in Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP,” a sitcom that makes her the fourth highest paid child star on TV.

During our interview, Palmer, who plans to release a new album this year, talked about why gospel music fans aren’t going to be the only ones that will like “Joyful Noise” and why she plans to focus more on her recording career this upcoming year.

“Joyful Noise” hits theaters Jan. 13.

EXTRA: I’m not necessarily a big gospel music fan, but the soundtrack here is wonderful.

Keke Palmer: Yeah, the movie isn’t necessarily geared for people who don’t have a million gospel songs on their iPod, but when you go to the movies you can have a good time. That really means a lot to me. ...