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Maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there's a spark.
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>> Hey, what's going on everybody?
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For First We Feast, I'm Sean Evans and today we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Hot Ones with a very special Hot Ones reunion episode brought to you by Popeyes who we've partnered with to create the ultimate spice lord menu collab.
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And I'm thrilled to welcome back to the studio the delightful Keke Palmer.
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>> We're back together again. >> I can't quit you.
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She's an Emmy award-winning actress, a singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling author, new media magnate, a TV and podcast host, but somehow, someway, the busiest woman in Hollywood has found time to do Hot Ones now for a record-breaking third time.
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And I for one could not be more grateful.
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Keke Palmer, welcome back to the show. >> Me, too. It's so good to see you.
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I'm so happy for everything going on with you. It means so much.
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It's been so long since I've seen you. >> Too long.
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Always too long since I've seen you.
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And Keke, we have some exciting news.
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We not only have a brand new lineup of sauces for you to try, but you'll also get to try our Popeyes and Hot Ones menu collab, the Sizzlin Sriracha Dippers, Smokin Rojo Sandwich, and the Daren Daab Ghost Wings.
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Are you ready to get started? >> I am.
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This is a big, juicy baby. Okay. It's good.
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It's really good, actually.
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A little sweet, you know.
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>> This one's got some sweetness to it.
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>> I can't believe that they got so memed. >> I can.
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>> It has a little sweetness to it. >> And I'm back.
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So, in the 10 years since I've been doing this show, I feel like you've done 100 projects and every time I see you, you seem to level up.
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I'm curious, what's your relationship like with perfectionism and how, if at all, has it evolved or changed as your career has expanded?
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>> I think I'll always be a perfectionist in the sense of wanting to give my best, wanting to prepare, and know that I did all I could to make it worthwhile.
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But, my relationship with with what that looks like has continued to evolve because I think I have more grace with myself.
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I'm fine with things becoming what they're meant to be, not what I thought they should be, which is a big relief.
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Uh it's like you can still work hard and and and have that perfectionist energy, but also the ability to let it go and let it transform in how it's meant to become.
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>> If you were teaching a masterclass called the art of doing everything well, what would be two non-negotiable principles?
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>> Well, you have to finish everything you said you're going to do.
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Following through is important, even if it's like I said, not at the level you expected or things went wrong or it's like hard to get it to the finish line, you have to get it to the finish line because that's how you learn and you teach yourself to keep growing in these different areas.
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You know, nobody gets it right on the first try.
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So, just because you're great at one thing, when you try something new you need to follow through, even if it goes crazy, so you can show yourself you can do it.
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Another non-negotiable is trying to do everything alone.
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You can't do nothing alone.
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You need to get a team with you at all times.
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I've got an incredible team from every different corner of anything I'm doing and I think that's what has allowed me to be successful as well. >> LOOK AT YOU. >> THAT'S TOO GOOD.
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THIS FLAVOR IS REALLY DELICIOUS. >> WOW.
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Maybe we've stepped up our game since last time. >> Mhm.
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They were good last time.
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I feel like I know I'm going to get got.
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They were all cute in the beginning.
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>> You've been around the block too many times. >> You set me up, John. Yeah.
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By the time I get to there. >> I can't set you up. You know too much.
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>> THIS THROAT IS ON FIRE.
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>> SO, WHEN YOU LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND where Hollywood is headed, what are you most optimistic about?
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And then is there an existential threat that keeps you up at night?
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>> What I'm excited about, hmm, I think individual brands. What do I mean by that?
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Like people creating their niche voices.
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I think we have a lot more of the ability to directly talk to our audience in a way that I couldn't when I was a kid, you know?
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I was a traditional talent coming in.
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I didn't really find my creative voice until social media.
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And it really helped me to be able to show the industry and show different collaborators what I bring to the table.
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And so, I think we're going to always be up against like the machine, but I think we'll have more of the ability to understand how we can work within it as we continue to learn how to build our own, you know, brands and and and tell the world who we are and what it is we have to offer.
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Um and then the existential thing that keeps me up, not being inspired.
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Sean, I've been doing this for so many years. >> You're jaded.
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>> You know, I'm like, it's been 23 years or so, and so it does it like it spooks me that one day I'll be like, "Holler at your girl."
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You know, and just be out of here.
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You know, right now I'm still I'm still in it. >> Yeah, you know what?
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From talking to you, from seeing you today, I think that's many years away, all right, KIKI?
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>> FROM YOUR MOUTH TO GOD'S EARS, SEAN. >> ALL RIGHT.
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SO, KIKI, in place of this next wing, we're going to try the Sizzlin' Sriracha Dippers. Bill, come on in.
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Bring in the Sizzlin' Sriracha Dippers.
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These are marinated in our Hot Ones Pickled Garlic Sriracha sauce, served with a sachet of Hot Ones Pickled Garlic hot sauce, and a buttermilk ranch dip cup. >> Ooh. So, tell me what I do.
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Do I just pour this all on my thing? >> Yeah, yeah.
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I would just pop the sachet. >> Ooh.
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>> Oh my gosh, I feel my mouth watering already, Shawn. >> This looks delicious. >> Okay, here we go.
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>> I'm making a mess over here.
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>> It's delicious, Shawn.
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>> From your lips to God's ears.
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>> I'm going to do a little dip. Ranch dip. Fabulous. Thank you, papa Shawn.
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>> So, in addition to writing a memoir, the dozen or so TV and film projects you have coming out, hosting a podcast, you also released an 18-song album called Just Keke earlier this summer.
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And you know, the cover art is you as a doll in the box.
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I'm curious, what does that visual metaphor mean to you?
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>> Well, I think in me growing up in the industry, you know, I've always been seen as a product and I've always had to see myself as a product, especially as a kid when you're trying to like know who you are and then know how that connects to what it is you're doing.
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So, I think it's like really a metaphor for that.
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Uh but also, at the end of the day, having this conversation with my audience through the visuals, where it's like I'm just a girl at the end of the day.
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I'm just a mom, you know, I'm just Keke.
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I'm just somebody that's trying to figure it out.
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You know, I know this is what I represent.
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I know this is who I've been, and I I'm glad for that.
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But also, like let's continue to let's evolve together, and I really want you to know the me that created all this.
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>> And then I think it's awesome that you self-funded this record.
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You know, you put the visual album out on YouTube.
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I'm curious, can you pull back the curtain on what makes selling music through the traditional channel such a soul-sucking endeavor?
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Because you recently had this quote, you talked to the cut, you said that you need to know how to speak to people who are not creative so that they can make more money. >> Exactly.
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And that's why it becomes very difficult.
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But that's So, in the traditional sense, you know, you got you have gatekeepers, right?
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You know, if you're assigned to a label or if you're assigned to a production company and these things aren't bad.
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It's just about if you know what you need and why you chose that particular path.
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I think somebody like me was always going to be soul sucking because that's not how I'm meant to do things, you know, I'm a brand.
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I've always been multi-faceted.
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And again, I think that's where it should go and it can go for others.
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That way you're not just solely dependent on one thing.
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You could actually if you're making your music, you could put it in your movie or you can do the album and you can collaborate with another company and you could do a visual or you know, there's so many other ways and we >> could have like a variety show motif and then all of a sudden just Keke the variety show. >> EXACTLY. YES, JOHN. PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR.
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WHAT DOES THAT mean you think?
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>> Passed out on the floor is what they should call it. >> Mhm.
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Good, but definitely getting hotter.
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>> So, true to form, you've checked almost every box as a host from network morning TV to red carpets to game shows like Password to hosting a podcast.
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And last time you were on the show, you said that the most annoying thing a guest can do when they're appearing on a talk show is give one word answers.
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Do you have any other pet peeves?
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>> That's a big one because it's like I'm a conversationalist, but damn.
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You got to say something. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um what else?
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You know, I mean, I guess just at the end of the day, you know, when people aren't happy to be there.
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>> You know, yeah, you could have said no.
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>> You know, you could have said no.
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If somebody's showing up and it's like, "Hey." You know, hour late. You know what I mean?
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Like when people just aren't happy to be there cuz you know, sometimes interviews it could be a lot.
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>> And you know that cuz you've been on both sides of the table. >> Bingo.
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So, I try to create a safe space.
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I think that maybe it is Keke Palmer has great snacks.
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You know, anytime somebody comes to the podcast, they're coming out and leaving with a bag.
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So, I try to make them comfortable some way, somehow.
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But yeah, I'm not here for the gotchas.
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Keke's here to have a good time.
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If you're going to spill some tea, it's going to be sweet.
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Like, we're not here to have you fired up and like people hating you.
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Like, we're not doing that.
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Like, I'm just here to create the space for you to be relaxed, especially when I'm talking to the other entertainers.
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It's like, if there's one show that you can come on and you can really get into some chill stuff, it's on it's in the chair with Keke.
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So, I think that's the vibe cuz I try to let them know.
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It's like, we're here to have a good time.
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I'm not here trying to do no drama, no nothing.
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Like, we can, you know, get into it, but it's up to you. >> You're dancing.
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>> Yeah, I'm dancing with them, going where they're going.
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And so, it's like, yeah, I do think it's important.
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You really got to be able to watch people, you know, when you're doing that kind of thing. You know.
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Habanero, when you hear that word, you know.
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I'm waiting for it to hit.
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>> It does have kind of like some late action on it, but I find that four is a little more jarring. >> You're right on that. Floor was hitting crazy. >> Yeah, right.
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Can you pull back the curtain on your approach to the fast-talking monologue you did as Emerald in your opening scene of Nope?
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Director Jordan Peele says it took 14 takes to finish and that all were very wildly different. >> Yeah.
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So, I mean, you always want to make sure that you give the director as many options as you can. You know what I mean?
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You don't want to do it the same way, especially when it's a big monologue.
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You want to change it up, spice down, improv a little bit.
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Especially when the director is also the writer.
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You can't mess up their words.
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So, the biggest like secret is knowing your lines backwards and forwards.
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I mean, I was literally rehearsing those lines like a hundred times to ensure that I could relax.
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Because see, when you don't know your lines, you can't really play around because you're too busy thinking about what word comes next and what But when you know the lines like with your like the back of your hand, you can have fun and you can give them 14 amazing solid takes.
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He ended up choosing the ones the one that I improv the most on at the end.
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Um but yeah, that was that was so cool.
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That was like the I think that was the first week of filming.
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That was like one of the first few days that I when I filmed that movie and I was like, "Oh shit." >> Pressure's on? >> Here we go. YES.
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>> BUT sure enough, you stepped in that box. Clean barrel. Clean barrel, Kiki.
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>> You know your girl going always be a dime.
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Carpe DM is my mom's saying. >> All right.
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So, in place of this next wing, what we're going to be trying is the Smokin' Rojo Sandwich.
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Bill, bring in the Smokin' Rojo Sandwich.
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This is a crispy chicken fillet with Hot Ones Los Calientes Rojo spread and pickles, all served on a brioche bun.
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>> Oh my gosh, this looks delicious.
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The bread is nice and soft. Mhm. Mhm. >> You can't fake that. >> This is good. OKAY, PAPA. WOW. >> THANK YOU, KIKI.
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>> CUZ YOU KNOW I DO A LOT. >> I know all that.
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So, I recently saw a clip of Eddie Murphy gassing you up when he was on the press circuit for his show The Pickup.
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I'm curious, what did it mean to you to get those kinds of flowers from a living legend like that? >> I was out of my mind.
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I couldn't believe that the Eddie Murphy said that I reminded him of him.
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>> And so, he said a younger version of himself. >> Sean.
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Honestly, I feel like I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I love Eddie Murphy.
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Eddie Murphy is such an incredible actor and the things that he's done have never been done and will never be done again.
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I mean, he's one of those people I mean, he's iconic.
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He created a pathway where there was none.
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I mean, as a teenager on SNL, three picture deal before the age of 20.
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Like, he's just so amazing and I was just so excited to do the movie with him and then I didn't know, you know, when I'm doing the movie, I don't know if he's watching me.
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I know I'm watching him because he's him and I'm trying to learn and I'm observing.
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Little did I know that he was taking a peek. I couldn't believe it. I love you, Eddie.
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This was started off as a little party.
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I can already feel the flavors bouncing around.
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>> It's starting to get serious.
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>> It's starting to get serious, babes. >> Mhm. >> This one was hot. >> Yeah.
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That's the trajectory that we're on. But you know, yeah. I know. I'm not >> Oh my gosh. Do you have acid reflux?
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>> I have somehow, some way been able to dodge every pothole.
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>> I mean, your body looks so nice and trim.
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I feel like for you to have this kind of gig, I don't know how you're doing it. You look great. >> Cardio, you know?
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That's You just got to run away from the wings. That's the only way. That's the only way.
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>> There's nobody like Shawn Mendes.
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>> Oh, I can't handle that.
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Which Rodgers and Hammerstein song was the hardest to nail eight shows a week as Cinderella in front of a sold-out crowd?
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>> In my own little corner.
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In my own little corner, in my own little chair. It's too much. It's too much.
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Because when I first started doing Broadway, I was trying to do it like R&B, like, in my own little corner.
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They were like, "SLOW IT DOWN, MAMA."
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THEY WERE LIKE, "This isn't Mary J. Blige. Cinderella." So, they make you sing. So, that is tough to do.
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But you know, I did my bid. I did my thing.
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I learned how to do that classical vibe and it's a time that I will remember, but that song wasn't no joke. >> Well, you know what?
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This is hot for me, by the way. >> It is hot.
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Mine This trick of along.
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>> But, you did kind of beautifully sing that song.
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With a scotch bonnet, habanero kind of cocktail exploding inside of you. >> to hold it together.
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>> And then that beautiful music came out, Kiki. >> Oh, shucks. >> An undeniable talent. >> No. >> Through and through. >> Keep going.
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>> All right, so one thing that's remained consistent through the many years that we've known each other and you've done this show is the bomb beyond insanity at sauce number eight.
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>> It looks like a monster. Did I do too much? >> You might have. >> No. >> I know. I know. >> This is painful.
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>> Yeah, I it's >> There's not even any flavor to it.
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>> Yeah, it's it's a gag.
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>> It's just hurting you. >> Yeah, right. It's just punishing.
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>> I'm so glad I didn't wear a wig.
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>> As someone who's done this three times, you've done verses, what is that experience like?
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Cuz like right now, you're probably thinking in your head I'll never ever do this show again. But then what happens?
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Like did the clouds clear, the sun comes out and you're like, "Oh, I could do that again. I could do that again." What happens?
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>> I realize that I'm a soldier.
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And there's nothing I can't do.
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>> That's right, can't be stopped.
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>> And I somehow tell myself it's worth it for Sean. Guys, hold on. I'm almost done.
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Honestly >> Take your time. >> Honestly >> Yeah. >> I'm just playing.
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>> It's not a >> Honestly Guys, I'm just trying to make y'all laugh. >> I'm good. >> Yeah, right.
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>> This is like, you know what I mean?
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I'm just giving you a little bit of like, "Hi, hi, hi." Vibed out.
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>> Do you have any sort of food influencer hot take and would you consider yourself a part of it?
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>> I'm not a part of it only because I don't show people.
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And my biggest hot take is they're lying about the messes it leaves IN THEIR KITCHEN.
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>> THEY KITCHEN, YEAH, I GOT IT.
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>> I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY MAKE IT SEEM like they're just so Your kitchen's a mess, mama. We all know it.
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Like if I were to do one, I would show you that my house is a mess. That would be my spin.
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That would be my spin is like, "And that's it."
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And then behind me you always see the dishes and stuff and everything's all over the place. Nobody steal that. This is so scary. Look at me shaking.
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>> I don't see a steady hand on Kiki over here.
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So, I know that you're a reality TV obsessive and you were even on a Hollywood Reporter Roundtable to discuss the topic.
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Which reality show do you think you'd have the best shot of winning?
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>> I know for a fact if it was at the right time, the right era, your girl would have been in American Idol. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
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I would have been up there with my girl Fantasia.
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Not her season though cuz she would have beat me.
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But I would have been up in there.
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I know I could have made it at some point American Idol. I had a storyline.
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I'm from Chicago, you know.
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My mom would, you know, she was a single growing up, you know.
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>> That's why you have a human interest element. >> what I mean?
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Cuz you had to have that.
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Back in the day, you needed that storyline.
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I would have ate the damn America up.
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Oh my gosh, y'all would have been crying.
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I'D BE LIKE, "YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. Thank you."
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You know, I always thought I could be in AMERICAN IDOL.
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LIKE, I FEEL LIKE I WOULD have been an American Idol. Wow. >> How you feeling? >> I'm feeling great.
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>> And you're doing amazing.
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>> Thank you, so are you. You make it really easy.
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>> The most comfortable, least comfortable show.
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That's what That's what we aim for over here.
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Okay, Keke, you have made it to the final wing once again.
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In its place, we're going to try our spiciest menu item, the Daring Dab Ghost Wings. Bill, bring them on in.
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These are Popeyes classic wings topped with the ghost pepper dry rub.
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They're served with a Last Dab Ranch dip cup.
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And to add a little extra on the last wing, we have our Last Dab sachet, which can be ordered a la carte with any of our menu items. >> Okay, here you go. >> All right. >> Mhm.
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You know, you can't go wrong with wings. You get me?
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I mean, you just can't go wrong with little chicken.
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>> And with that, Keke Palmer, you have now crushed Hot Ones for a third time, a record third time, putting you in elite one-of-one company.
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Now that you're so seasoned, that you're so traveled in the format, I'm curious, what advice would you pass on to future celebrities who are taking on the Hot Ones gauntlet?
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Like, do you think you've cracked the code?
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>> I think I've cracked the code.
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The biggest thing is to keep talking. Keep talking.
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Don't let yourself sit in the pain too long.
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You know, drink your water.
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Y'all know y'all need to be hydrated.
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And just know that at the end of the day, it's only for an hour or so. Be open. Link in bio.
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>> Keke Palmer taking on the Hot Ones gauntlet, defeating it, taking on the Popeyes and Hot Ones menu, defeating it.
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If you would like to get a taste, these menu items are available at your local Popeyes for a limited time.
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Whether you're a die-hard spice lord or just looking to heat things up on your lunch break, there's something for everyone.
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And now, Keke, there's nothing left to do but roll out the red carpet for you.
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This camera, this camera, this camera, let the people know what you have going on in your life.
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>> Well, get ready to check out my new movie, The Pickup, on Amazon.
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And this October, I have a great fun movie with myself, Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, called Good Fortune. Check that out.
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And then there's one more thing I'd like to say, Sean, because I saw an interview where you said like I was your favorite guest, you know, and all this really sweet stuff.
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And I know we just had some wings, but I thought that maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there's a spark. >> Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it.
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>> The spark, the sparky.
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>> When I'm dying and my life flashes before my eyes, I'll have that snapshot. I'll have that snapshot. >> I have to. You're amazing. I love you. I love you, too.