Hot Ones host Sean Evans and Nope actress Keke Palmer are stirring up dating rumors following their viral on-screen kiss.
The duo was seen having a cozy dinner at Lucali, a popular Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, on Friday, June 12. Photos of their outing were shared by several outlets, including celebrity gossip sites DeuxMoi and TMZ.
According to Cosmopolitan, Evans, 40, and Palmer, 32, appeared deeply engaged during their 90-minute meal. While there were no overt gestures of affection, sources told TMZ that Evans seemed quite taken with Palmer.
At a special FYC event at Hollywood’s Avalon on Tuesday, June 9, Evans once again discussed his strong chemistry with Palmer, whom he has previously described as “charming.”
“Collaborating with Keke Palmer is always a situation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” Evans commented during the event, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “Another memorable interview was with Viola Davis. Interviewing her was a highlight, and Paul Rudd was also amazing, as he immediately grasped the concept of the show.”
The nature of Evans and Palmer’s relationship remains undefined, as they have not publicly addressed their status. Us Weekly has reached out to both for comments.
@firstwefeast the smooch that broke the internet ❤️🔥😘 #HotOnes #BabyThisIsKekePalmer #SeanEvans #KekePalme
Online speculation about Evans and Palmer being romantically involved has intensified, particularly after Evans confessed to a crush on the actress.
During an appearance on Chicken Shop Date with host Amelia Dimoldenberg, Evans mentioned, “Keke Palmer is incredibly charming. A very charming woman indeed.”
In response to the buzz, Palmer commented on a post with the interview clip, “It was love at first hot wing — this was too kind @seanseaevans.” She later expressed to People in an August 2024 interview that she appreciated his candidness, saying, “I was thrilled to hear it. When it came my way, I thought, ‘I knew the vibes were strong.’”
Throughout her career, Keke Palmer has shown that there are no limits to what she can achieve. She began singing in her church choir at age 5 and quickly found her footing in acting after moving to Los Angeles. Palmer rose to fame with her Nickelodeon series, True Jackson, VP.
In September 2025, during Palmer’s third Hot Ones appearance, the duo shared what is assumed to be their first real-life kiss.
During the episode, Palmer told Evans, “I saw an interview where you mentioned I was your favorite guest and said some really sweet things. Since we just had some wings, I thought maybe we could share a quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.”
After the kiss, Evans remarked, “When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll remember that moment.”
