Keke Palmer’s Flirtation With the ‘Hot Ones’ Host Has the Internet Gushing
Years in the making?
Keke Palmer and Sean Evans just turned their long-running flirtation into the internet’s favorite slow-burn romance. According to PEOPLE, on the May 26, 2026, episode of Palmer’s podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, the pair revisited their viral 2017 Hot Ones appearance, their on-screen kiss, and even teased a future morning talk show together. Fans are already calling it the most wholesome will-they-won’t-they of the year.
The podcast episode was packed with playful moments that had listeners shipping them hard. Palmer kicked things off by introducing Evans as her “potential future suitor,” setting the tone for an hour of teasing and chemistry. At one point, Evans admitted his childhood celebrity crush was TLC’s Left Eye, to which Palmer fired back, “I played Chili in the CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story movie. Close enough.” Evans didn’t miss a beat, replying, “Absolutely close enough.”
Their history together is already legendary. Palmer’s 2017 Hot Ones episode was one of the first times she went viral for her personality, not just her talent. Evans called her the perfect guest, praising her charisma, intelligence, and beauty. Fast forward to 2023, and Evans told Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg that Palmer was his “very charming” crush among Hot Ones guests.
Palmer shot her shot in the 2025 Hot Ones episode
When Palmer returned to Hot Ones in 2025, she took the opportunity to test that chemistry in real time. “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,” she said. Evans didn’t hesitate, and the kiss became an instant meme.
During the podcast, they rewatched the clip, laughing as Palmer pointed out how unfazed Evans seemed. “I think they probably thought it was scripted because you didn’t seem surprised at all,” she told him. Evans joked, “I didn’t give it a second to breathe. Once I heard the offer and the conditions, I immediately signed.”
The internet is eating it up. Comments on the podcast’s YouTube video are flooded with fans declaring this the “most professional flirting” they’ve ever seen. One user wrote, “This whole episode was Keke telling Sean how to date her lol,” while another joked, “i’m taking this as their 4th date lmaoo,” according to Page Six.
A particularly enthusiastic commenter begged, “KEKE get to know THIS man,” and another claimed Palmer’s mom was “vetting” Evans as “boyfriend material,” adding that he was “passing with flying colours LOL.”
The chemistry is so palpable that even Palmer’s mom, Sharon, got in on the fun
Sharon told Evans it was a “great moment” seeing him with her daughter, especially since she wasn’t allowed to date someone from his “rich” hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois. “This is great. This is how life should be. The guy from Crystal Lake should be sitting next to the girl from Robbins [Illinois],” she said. Palmer played along, shouting out “Mr. and Mrs. Evans,” to which Evans quipped, “Oh, I thought you were talking about us.”
The two spent a chunk of the podcast brainstorming ways to collaborate again. Palmer gushed, “I love us waking up with America. I do love me and you something more. There’s something good here.” It’s hard not to root for them. Both have been through public breakups in recent years.
Evans split from adult film star Melissa Stratton in February 2024 after media attention strained their relationship, while Palmer ended things with ex Darius Jackson in 2023 following his criticism of her fashion choices. Their shared history and undeniable chemistry make this flirtation feel like it’s been building for nearly a decade.
What makes this dynamic so compelling is how organic it feels
There’s no performative tension or forced drama, just two people who clearly enjoy each other’s company and aren’t afraid to show it. Evans even joked that their Hot Ones smooch would be the snapshot he sees when his “life flashes before his eyes.” That level of comfort and mutual admiration is rare, especially in the spotlight.
For fans who’ve followed their interactions over the years, this podcast episode felt like the next logical step. It’s not just about the flirtation anymore, it’s about the foundation they’ve built. Palmer called their 2017 Hot Ones appearance “one of the first times I saw me getting meme-ed,” and it’s clear that moment was a turning point for both of them.
The morning talk show idea is particularly intriguing. Palmer has always had a knack for hosting, whether it’s her Emmy-winning turn on Turnt Up with the Taylors or her viral moments on Saturday Night Live. Evans, meanwhile, has turned Hot Ones into a cultural phenomenon, interviewing everyone from celebrities to politicians with a mix of humor and depth.
Together, they’d bring a fresh, dynamic energy to daytime TV. Their chemistry is already primed for the format, and fans would tune in just to watch them riff off each other. The podcast episode even reignited interest in their past interactions, with fans rewatching their Hot Ones clips and dissecting every flirtatious moment.
(Featured images: Kirby Taylor and Embassy Row/Bravo)
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