Hot Ones Host Sean Evans Teases Oscars Appearance at Sundance

PARK CITY, Utah — Sean Evans, the host of the wildly popular YouTube series “Hot Ones,” made his debut at the Sundance Film Festival this week, walking red carpets and teasing a potential appearance at the upcoming Oscars. Evans, known for his spicy wing challenges with A-list celebrities, shared his excitement about the festival and his plans for Hollywood’s biggest night.

“I like your side a little bit better, there’s more control. I’m a little bit on my heels with you, but I’m ready,” Evans joked during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the Sundance Institute fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley on Friday night.

Evans, who recently acquired his show’s production company, First We Feast, from BuzzFeed, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival. “It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a beautiful city, an amazing environment. It’s cool to see the way that people rally around film here, and I’m just kind of soaking it all in.”

The trip to Sundance was a mix of business and pleasure for Evans, who credited his internet stardom for opening doors to unique experiences. “The show gives me all these unique experiences, and I get to travel to all these cool spots and have unique access to all of these things,” he explained. “I never take any of that for granted.”

Evans confirmed his attendance at the 97th Academy Awards, revealing that he had already been fitted for a tuxedo. “I’m going to the Oscars,” he said. “We’ll see what we can do because of the situation [with the wildfires] in Los Angeles. They’ve had to move some things around, but hopefully, we’re going to do some fun sit-down interviews with some people. I’m looking forward to it.”

While Evans did not disclose whether his Oscars appearance would involve a formal partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he hinted at the possibility of bringing his signature hot sauce challenge to the event. The show, which has featured over 355 episodes, has become a cultural phenomenon, with celebrities testing their spice tolerance while answering interview questions.

Evans also shared his thoughts on the cold weather in Park City, where temperatures dipped into the low teens during his visit. “I grew up in Chicago,” he said. “So my whole thing is if you’re too hot, that’s uncomfortable. If you’re too cold, that’s painful. That’s miserable. I’d rather be too hot than too cold.”

As Evans continues to enjoy his time at Sundance, fans are eagerly anticipating how “Hot Ones” will make its mark at the Oscars. With past guests like Demi Moore, Ariana Grande, and Kieran Culkin among this year’s nominees, the possibilities for spicy surprises are endless.