A year after their viral on-screen kiss had social media buzzing, Keke Palmer and Sean Evans are once again fueling romance rumors—this time following a real-life outing that has fans questioning whether their connection goes beyond the Hot Ones studio.
According to Us Weekly, the actress and entertainer, 32, was recently seen enjoying dinner with the Hot Ones host, 40, at the popular Brooklyn restaurant Lucali. The pair reportedly spent several hours together on June 12, with eyewitnesses noting that they appeared deeply engaged in conversation throughout the evening.
Their latest meetup has only intensified speculation among fans, many of whom have been curious about the nature of their relationship ever since their memorable on-camera moment went viral last year.
Just days before their reported Brooklyn dinner date, Sean Evans was speaking highly of Keke Palmer during a For Your Consideration event in Hollywood.
Reflecting on some of his most memorable guests over the years, Evans described working with Palmer as “always like a one plus one equals three situation,” a remark that quickly caught fans’ attention and reignited discussions about the pair’s undeniable chemistry.
Their connection has been a topic of conversation for years. Back in 2023, Evans revealed during an appearance on Chicken Shop Date that Palmer was the guest he had developed a crush on after interviewing.
When asked to name the person, he answered without hesitation.
“Keke Palmer,” Evans said. “Very charming. Very charming woman.”
Rather than being embarrassed by the revelation, Palmer leaned into it. After the clip went viral, she jokingly responded on social media, “It was love at first hot wing.”
She later admitted she thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Evans’ crush.
“I was living for it,” Palmer said. “I knew the vibes were vibing.”
That playful exchange eventually led to one of the most memorable moments in Hot Ones history. During Palmer’s record-breaking third appearance on the show in September 2025, she decided to confront Evans about his longtime admiration for her.
After bringing up the compliments he had given her over the years, Palmer suggested what she called a “quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.”
Evans agreed, and the two shared a kiss on camera.
His response afterward only fueled fan speculation even more.
“When I’m dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot,” Evans said.
Despite years of flirtatious interactions and their latest public outing, neither Palmer nor Evans has publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship, and representatives for both have remained silent amid the ongoing rumors.
