After weeks of speculation surrounding her relationship with Hot Ones host Sean Evans, Keke Palmer has finally addressed the rumors herself—and she's making it clear that whatever is happening between them is unfolding naturally.
During a conversation with author and podcast host Jay Shetty at Spotify Beach 2026 on June 23, Palmer was asked directly about the status of her connection with Evans. Rather than dodge the question, the actress and entertainer offered her most revealing comments to date.
“First of all, I love Sean Evans. I love Sean. Hey Sean! That's my guy,” Palmer said. “You know, we're hanging out. You know what I mean? We started off as colleagues; you never know what can arise from there. So we're just taking it day by day.”
The remarks are the first time Palmer has publicly acknowledged the pair's relationship in such personal terms. Neither Palmer nor Evans had previously defined where things stood, despite months of mounting interest from fans.
The conversation comes just days after the two were photographed sharing a lengthy dinner at Brooklyn hotspot Lucali. The pair spent roughly 90 minutes together, with sources telling TMZ that Evans appeared “smitten” with Palmer. Around the same time, Evans himself praised their chemistry during a For Your Consideration event in Hollywood, saying that working with Palmer is “always like a one plus one equals three situation.”
Long before rumors of romance surfaced, Evans had openly admitted he had a crush on Palmer. During a 2023 appearance on Chicken Shop Date, he named the actress when asked whether he'd ever fallen for someone he'd interviewed.
“Keke Palmer,” Evans said. “Very charming. Very charming woman.”
Palmer embraced the revelation, later commenting, “It was love at first hot wing,” before saying that she was “living for” Evans' confession because she “knew the vibes were vibing.”
Their chemistry became impossible to ignore in September 2025, when Palmer made her record-setting third appearance on Hot Ones. Near the end of the episode, she surprised Evans with a proposal.
“I thought that maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there's a spark,” she told him.
Evans happily agreed, later joking, “When I'm dying, and my life flashes before my eyes, I'll have that snapshot.”
