A year after their viral on-camera kiss sent the internet into a frenzy, Keke Palmer and Sean Evans are once again at the center of dating speculation—this time thanks to an off-camera outing that has fans wondering whether their chemistry extends beyond the Hot Ones set.
According to Us Weekly, the actress and entertainer, 32, was recently spotted having dinner with the Hot Ones host, 40, at Brooklyn hotspot Lucali. The pair shared a lengthy meal on June 12, with reports describing the two as fully engaged in conversation throughout the evening.
Just days earlier, Evans spoke about Palmer during a For Your Consideration event in Hollywood, where he reflected on guests who stood out to him over the years. According to reports, Evans described working with Palmer as “always like a one plus one equals three situation,†a comment that quickly made the rounds online as fans revisited the duo’s long-running rapport.
The connection between Keke Palmer and Sean Evans has been public knowledge for years. In 2023, Evans admitted during an appearance on Chicken Shop Date that Palmer was the guest he had developed a crush on after interviewing her. Asked to name the person, he didn’t hesitate. “Keke Palmer,†he said. “Very charming. Very charming woman.â€
Palmer later embraced the revelation rather than shying away from it. Reacting to the clip on social media, she joked, “It was love at first hot wing.†In a subsequent interview, she admitted she was delighted by Evans’ confession. “I was living for it,†she said. “I knew the vibes were vibing.â€
That flirtatious back-and-forth eventually led to one of the most talked-about moments in Hot Ones history. During Palmer’s record-setting third appearance on the show in September 2025, she decided to address Evans’ crush directly. After reminding him of the compliments he had paid her over the years, Palmer proposed what she called a “quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.â€
Evans agreed, and the pair shared a kiss on camera.
His reaction afterward only intensified the buzz. “When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot,†Evans said.
Neither Palmer nor Evans has publicly defined their relationship, and representatives for both have not commented on the latest speculation.
