Keke Palmer and Sean Evans have been going viral for their flirty interactions with each other for years. But are the two actually dating?
The actor and the “Hot Ones” host were first linked together in November 2023 after Evans revealed during an appearance on Amelia Dimoldenberg’s “Chicken Shop Date” that Palmer was the one guest he has had a crush on. Palmer previously stopped by “Hot Ones” in 2017 and 2021.
Evans gushed about Palmer to Dimoldenberg, describing “The Burbs” star as a “very charming woman.”
Since then, Palmer appeared as a guest on “Hot Ones” again in September 2025, where the two shared a kiss. He, in turn, was interviewed by the actor on the May 26 episode of her “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” podcast, leading to comments about their undeniable chemistry on social media. A few weeks later, they were photographed getting dinner together.
While sitting on the panel for Spotify’s Conversations That Channel Culture talk at Cannes Lions on June 23, Palmer finally addressed their rumored romance.
Podcast host Jay Shetty asked Palmer if she was “serious about Sean Evans,” People reported.
Palmer replied, “We hanging out, you know what I mean?”
She added, “First of all, I love Sean Evans — I love Sean, hey Sean. That’s my guy… You never know what can arise from there. We just take it day by day. One wing at a time, so to speak.”
How did the two get to this point? Read a recap of the flirtatious moments they have shared over nearly a decade, below.
Keke Palmer and Sean Evans Have Chemistry on ‘Hot Ones’
In 2017, Palmer and Evans shared many laughs and banter when she was a guest for the first time on “Hot Ones.”
During their chat, Palmer described what type of man she is attracted to. She said men need to be more “thirsty” for women. “I need you to be thirsty, honey. Thirsty like I’m about to be after these hot wings,” she quipped.
Fans in the comments were already thinking the two would be a good match.
“They were on a date but the gag is they used the show to cover it up,” one comment read.
Another agreed, writing, “I felt like I just watched a first date.”
A third added, “Why did Sean and Keke vibe so hard? I’m laughing she brought out his personality.”
When Palmer returned in 2021, the playful dynamic between them remained.
As Evans introduced the “Scoville Level” wings he said, “Keke, because I’m your friend…”
She chimed in and joked, “Don’t act like I can’t handle myself in front of all these people, Sean.”
Once again, the people in the comments section rooted for the too.
“Here after Sean said he had a crush on Keke and I agree, she is charming,” one person wrote, while another added, “We all finally have the confirmation of sean’s crush on Keke 6yrs later. We been knowing from 1st interview and this one. Chemistry was off the charts!”
Sean Evans Reveals ‘Crush’ on Keke Palmer
Evans confirmed in November 2023 that the sparks between him and Palmer weren’t just something the internet had imagined.
While on Amelia Dimoldenberg’s “Chicken Shop Date,” he was asked to name the one guest he had a crush on.
After he had Dimoldenberg guess a few names, he shared his answer.
“Keke Palmer,” he said. “Very charming woman.”
Keke Palmer and Sean Evans Share Kiss
Palmer brought up the crush when she appeared on “Hot Ones” for a third time in September 2025.
Before she mentioned his comment, she complimented him on his physique while they were eating wings.
“Your body looks so nice and trim. I feel like for you to have this kind of gig, I don’t know how you do it,” she said. “You look great.”
He quipped, “You just have to run away from the wings.”
Palmer waited until the last moments of the interview to discuss the crush.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to say, Sean, because I saw an interview where you said I was your favorite guest and, you know, all this really sweet stuff,” she said. “And I know we’ve just had some wings but I just thought maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.”
Evans replied, “Yeah, let’s do it. Let’s do it.”
The two then ran toward each other and shared a slow-motion kiss.
“The sparks are sparking!” she said after their smooch.
He told her, “When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot.”
Keke Palmer and Sean Evans Reminisce About Their Sweet Moments
Palmer and Evans chatted about their many sit-downs when he appeared on the “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” podcast in May.
At the end of the interview, they played Twister and sat on the floor to answer questions from Keke’s mom, Sharon Palmer, off camera.
Her mom mentioned that Evans grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and that Palmer comes from Robbins, Illinois.
“When I was growing up, a kid from Crystal Lake wouldn’t have been seen with a kid from Robbins,” Palmer’s mom noted.
Keke Palmer quickly replied, “D—, is Crystal Lake where the rich folks are” before she and Evans burst into laughter. She placed her hand on his knee and she touched his back.
“I got to take my a– to Crystal Lake. It sounds nice over there!” Keke Palmer said.
Evans sweetly responded, “Any time you want!”
Keke Palmer then said, “Shout out to Mr. and Mrs. Evans,” referring to the host’s parents.
But he misinterpreted her and smoothly said, “Oh, I thought you were talking about us.”
The next day, Palmer also shared an adorable video of her and Evans watching clips from their past interviews on TikTok.