Keke Palmer has sparked dating speculation after she was reportedly seen out with Hot Ones host Sean Evans over the weekend.
According to TMZ, Palmer and Evans were spotted Friday night at Lucali, the upscale Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.
Evans, 40, was photographed speaking with a woman at his table whom witnesses identified as Palmer, 32. In the images obtained by the outlet, the woman is seen only from behind.
The Daily Mail said it has contacted representatives for both Palmer and Evans for comment, but had not received a response as of publication.
The sighting comes after Evans’s appearance in May on Palmer’s podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, which highlighted the flirty chemistry between the two.
In September of last year, Palmer caused a stir when she appeared on Hot Ones and gave the host a kiss on the lips in the final moments of the podcast.
Keke Palmer left fans wondering if things might be heating up between her and Hot Ones host Sean Evans after they were seen on a date over the weekend. The two were reportedly spotted dining at the swanky Italian restaurant Lucali in Brooklyn on Friday night, according to TMZ; Palmer (L) is seen June 8 in NYC and Evans (R) is pictured June 9 in La
In September of last year, Palmer caused a stir when she appeared on Hot Ones (pictured) and gave the host a kiss on the lips in the final moments of the podcast
One witness claimed the pair spent more than 90 minutes dining together and appeared fully focused on each other throughout the evening.
According to the source, the outing seemed to carry a more serious tone than a simple casual dinner.
However, they clarified that there weren’t any physical displays of affection between Palmer and Evans, even though the witness was convinced that the Hot Ones host looked ‘smitten’ with the Nope actress.
Fans have been intrigued by the two ever since Palmer closed out her Hot Ones appearance last year by suggesting, ‘Maybe we could just have a quick smooch, to see if there’s a spark.’
She had noted just before that she had seen that Evans referred to her as his favorite guest two years earlier.
After finishing her parade of hot wings and dismounting from her stool, Palmer embraced Evans and shared a quick kiss on the lips.
‘The sparks are sparking!’ Palmer gushed after the big moment, while Evans replied, ‘When I’m dying, and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot.’
The two most recently reunited on the May 26 episode of Palmer’s podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
A witness said the two dined for more than an hour and a half, and they appeared to be ‘locked in’ on each other during their conversation; pictured on Palmer’s podcast in May
The source said the date appeared to be more serious than just a casual meet-up, but they clarified that there weren’t any physical displays of affection between Palmer and Evans
However, the witness was convinced that the Hot Ones host looked ‘smitten’ with the Nope actress
She and Evans were clearly having fun with their flirtatious repartee, and they found another physical way to cap off the episode, this time by playing a game of Twister.
Palmer was clearly aware of how romance rumors had been circulating among fans, as she kicked off the episode on a playful note when she introduced Evans as her ‘potential future suitor,’ according to Page Six.
Later on, Evans admitted that he was smitten with the late TLC rapper Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes when he was younger, which perfectly set up the host.
‘I played Chili in the [CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story] movie. Close enough,’ Palmer said in response
‘Absolutely close enough,’ Evans agreed.
The discussion also took on a serious tone when Palmer’s mother, Sharon Palmer, joined in and looked back on her daughter and Evans’s origins in Illinois.
Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois, and was raised in the relatively low-income Robbins, while Evans was born in the tony Chicago suburb of Evanston and raised in nearby Crystal Lake.
Palmer’s mother said it was a ‘great moment’ to see her daughter and Evans getting along so well, because someone from his ‘rich’ neighborhood wouldn’t normally have spent so much time with them years earlier.
The two displayed a flirtatious demeanor two weeks ago on Palmer’s podcast, following her Hot Ones appearance in September, which concluded with her giving Evans a kiss on the lips. ‘When I’m dying, and my life flashes before my eyes, I’ll have that snapshot,’ he said afterward
Palmer was most recently linked to Darius Jackson, with whom she shares three-year-old son Leodis. The couple split in 2023 after Palmer accused Jackson of being abusive; seen June 8 in NYC
Evans was previously in a relationship with the adult film actress Melissa Stratton before their 2024 breakup; pictured in September in NYC
‘This is great. This is how life should be,’ she said. ‘The guy from Crystal Lake should be sitting next to the girl from Robbins.’
Palmer felt similarly and added, ‘I love that. Shoutout to Mr. and Mrs. Evans . . . your parents.’
Evans ratcheted up the flirtation when he replied, ‘Oh, I thought you were talking about us.’
Palmer was most recently linked to Darius Jackson, with whom she shares three-year-old son Leodis. The couple split in 2023 after Palmer accused Jackson of being abusive.
Evans was previously in a relationship with the adult film actress Melissa Stratton before their 2024 breakup.
