Keke Palmer brings extra heat to ‘Hot Ones’ with surprise kiss for host Sean Evans

Keke Palmer left fans buzzing after she sealed her fiery return to Hot Ones with an unexpected kiss for host Sean Evans. The Emmy-winning actress, 32, appeared on the hit YouTube series on 15 September, taking on the spicy wings for the third time after her previous appearances in 2017 and 2021.

As the episode drew to a close, Palmer revisited a past moment when Evans had confessed that she was his favourite guest and even admitted to having a crush on her. With a mischievous smile, she leaned across the table and said, “I thought maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.” Evans, 39, blushed and laughed before agreeing, and the two shared a light-hearted kiss that immediately set social media on fire.

The moment was edited with fireworks for added drama, but Palmer’s quip afterwards was all her own, “The spark was sparking.” Evans later admitted the memory was destined to stay with him forever, saying, “When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot.”

Fans wasted no time reacting to the clip online, flooding X and TikTok with commentary. Many were quick to note Evans’ long-standing admiration for Palmer, dating back to his Chicken Shop Date interview nearly two years ago where he revealed she was his biggest crush among his celebrity guests, calling her a “very charming woman.”

Palmer, who is mum to a two-year-old son with her ex-partner Darius Jackson, later laughed off those past comments, telling People, “I knew the vibes were vibing.” Now, with this playful moment captured on camera, some fans are convinced that the chemistry between the pair is more than just comedic timing.