,

The Most Memorable Black ‘Hot Ones’ Guests to Take On the Wings of Death

Some of our favorite stars were unforgettable as they attempted to get through "Da Bomb: Beyond Insanity."

Photo: YouTube: First We Feast

The YouTube series “Hot Ones” is always a fun watch. The premise is simple yet ingenious: Host Sean Evans interviews celebrities as they eat a plate of hot wings that get progressively spicier. Near the end of the interview, the celeb has to contend with the effects of the spice while still answering questions.

No matter what they think is going to happen, every celebrity who appears on the show has a moment where they realize they’ve made a horrible mistake. In addition to the inherent humor of big stars falling apart, Evans usually has some very unique, deep questions that impress stars used to hearing the same brand of questions from other interviews.

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed watching our favorite stars completely lose their minds. If you need a laugh and a break from the chaos of regular life, check out our recap of the most memorable Black guests to appear on “Hot Ones.”

Idris Elba

What’s so great about Idris’ episode is how cocky he is at the beginning. He’s so confident, then it all comes crumbling down. A great meme came from the experience as well!

Will Smith

Will is known for his fun, thoughtful interviews. While he has plenty of those moments here, he’s also losing his mind from Sauce No. 3 on. He finally loses it for real at Da Bomb: Beyond Insanity.

Lupita Nyong’o

What makes this episode so fascinating is that Evans is asking really interesting questions about the Oscar winner’s training and career path, but the hot wings are an ominous shadow hanging in the background. Also, Lupita is fine, until she’s not and it’s hilarious. This was a full on dramatic acting exercise.

Viola Davis

Even though she’s being destroyed by the hot sauce, the EGOT winner still has time to give detailed acting advice, which every young performer should be taking notes on.

Megan Thee Stallion

Sean Evans taking notes as Meg describes the elements of a “good lovemaking song” is so ridiculous, it could only happen here. And the Hot Girl was not impressed with the taste of some of the sauces, calling one “lake water.”

John Boyega

John Boyega thought his Nigerian heritage would save him from the worst of it, but once he got to Da Bomb Beyond Insanity he started seeing “swirling flames” and didn’t make it unscathed.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta makes it clear that she’s not a fan of spicy food, so we applaud her bravery in even appearing on the show. But you can see several moments where she’s rethinking all her life choices.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown had a great time having his insides incinerated. And while everyone enjoyed the chicken wings, he absolutely gushed about it.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah can do anything. She’s an Oscar-nominated actress, hip-hop pioneer and groundbreaking entertainer. However, even with all those accomplishments, she can’t survive the experience and gets the holy ghost at one point.

Halle Berry

First of all, shoutout to Berry for giving love to “B.A.P.S.” She shows her badass spirit by refusing to be defeated by the wings. She will not lose to these wings!

Issa Rae

Before things get too bad, Issa has time to put #LawrenceHive in their place. Of course, later she “feels foolish for eating” a particularly spicy sauce, something we imagine most guests think about themselves.

Al Roker

Everything we love about Al Roker is here, as the legendary broadcaster is just having a great time. And that’s why he’s remained so popular for so long. He discusses hilarious and poignant moments from his life, trash talks a cameraman’s shirt and is an all around good guy. It’s not a crazy episode, but it’s a fun watch.

Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele

While promoting their 2016 film “Keanu,” the comedy duo fall into an increasingly hilarious madness with each sauce. Sean Evans is asking really fascinating questions that they try super hard to answer, but they just cannot get coherent thoughts out. The episode is so funny, it makes us desperately want a “Key & Peele” revival.

Keke Palmer

In her second visit to “Hot Ones,” Palmer is a lot more confident in what to expect, but the sauces are spicier and more lethal this time around. She listens to the devil on her shoulder and her stomach definitely pays the price.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq got revenge on Sean Evans by making him eat a specialized “Shaq Sauce” that definitely ruined the host’s week.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

June 7 would have been Prince's 67th birthday. Here are a few things few people know about the legendary rocker ...
Father's Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

Father’s Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

From films like "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Daddy's Little Girls" to shows like "Family Matters" and "Black-ish," we're celebrating our favorite dads in media ...

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But  You Don't Know What 'The Harlem 'Hellfighters' Did to Win The War

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But You Don’t Know What ‘The Harlem ‘Hellfighters’ Did to Win The War

There are many Black people who served in the U.S. Army with honor. Let's give them their flowers ...
Sole Survivor Explains How He's Alive After Air India Crash

Sole Survivor Explains How He’s Alive After Air India Crash

An Air India flight crash that claimed over 240 lives had one remarkable sole survivor. Viswashkumar Ramesh, 40, was one of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad about half a minute after takeoff on Thursday. While recovering ...
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

The Very Short List of Black Celebs Speaking Out Against Trump’s ICE Raids

Although the list is short, folks like Doechii, Vic Mensa and Ava DuVernay are not happy with Trump's handling of anti-ICE protests ...
White George Floyd Advocate and Husband 'Target of Political Assasination' but It Gets Worse

White George Floyd Advocate and Husband ‘Target of Political Assasination’ but It Gets Worse

This is a sad day for America. But we all knew something like this coming ...
The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar's First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar’s First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

Lamar touched down in Drake's hometown for his Grand National Tour and let's just say things went off-script in the most hilarious way ...
Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That's Not The Scary Part

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That’s Not The Scary Part

Father’s Day weekend might be met with a side of anti-fascist chaos… across the country ...
Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Until They See ...Jay-Z

Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Until They See …Jay-Z

“Beyoncé’s youngest daughter was among the crowd during the latest ‘Cowboy Carter’ show in London.” ...
Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here's What We Know?

Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here’s What We Know?

Minaj took aim at Sharpe in a new song and now that he's gotten wind of it, he's a got a whole lot to say! ...
Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a <i>Huge</i> Price For What He Does to a Fan

Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a Huge Price For What He Does to a Fan

DeMarcus Cousins catches a steep penalty from his basketball team for very unsportsmanlike conduct caught on camera ...
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Behind Florida’s Sheriff’s ‘We Will Kill You’ to Anti-Trump Protesters

With Sheriff Ivey basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks took it all in ...
What Black Men Secretly Want For Father's Day

What Black Men Secretly Want For Father’s Day

It's not socks. Nor is it cologne. What Black men want for Father's Day is simple and free ...
How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly's Legal Mess, Explained

How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly’s Legal Mess, Explained

The once beloved R&B singer is pulling out all the stops to try to get out of prison and his latest attempt just might involve the president! ...
Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Turns out you can't make PB&Js during a court hearing, even if it's on Zoom ...
Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Lattimore, a popular singer, has remained out of the headlines as of late. But this new development has now changed that! ...
Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti's New Reality Show Trailer

Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti’s New Reality Show Trailer

If reality TV wasn't already starting to get juicy with the comeback of Love Island USA, it's definitely going to get interesting with a new show everyone is talking about. Spin the block couple, Nelly and Ashanti, are coming out with a reality TV show, "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong ...
Wait...Who's Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Wait…Who’s Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer, has been trying to get out from under his 31 year prison sentence. But this latest attempt might be the wildest ...
Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

After a new Marvel comic introduces a white Black Panther, fans discuss whether Ryan Gosling should take on the role ...