Actress Keke Palmer offered more than just hot wings on the Sept. 15 episode of Hot Ones. She made a bold move. Palmer surprised host Sean Evans with a kiss after discovering he had once confessed a crush on her.
Keke Palmer Suggests “Quick Smooch”
Toward the end of the episode, as the credits rolled, Palmer addressed Evans directly: “There’s one more thing I’d like to say, Sean, because I saw an interview where you said I was your favorite guest, you know, and all this really sweet stuff.” She paused, then added, “And I know we’ve just had some wings, but I thought that maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.”
Evans didn’t hesitate. Blushing, he responded, “Yeah, let’s do it.” The two then stood and shared a kiss as fireworks were digitally inserted into the scene. “The spark was sparking,” Palmer later said with laughter. After their smooch, Evans reflected, “When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot.”
Palmer, 32, has appeared on Hot Ones previously in 2017 and 2021. During a 2023 episode of Chicken Shop Date, Evans was asked whether he had ever had a crush on a guest. He admitted he did — and that it was Palmer. “Very charming,” he had said of her then.
Palmer later told PEOPLE she felt their chemistry was evident. “I was living for it,” she said of Evans’ admission. She added, “Not to say that I was surprised or I wasn’t surprised. But when I heard it … I knew the vibes were vibing.”
Beyond the kiss, Palmer used the candid moment to highlight her current work. She promoted two upcoming films: The Pickup, now streaming, and Good Fortune, which launches Oct. 17. She also reflected on her growth as an artist. “I found my voice in reinvention through social media and content creation,” she said.