Comedian and actor Pete Davidson has pulled back the curtain on the reality of appearing on Hot Ones, the popular YouTube interview series where celebrities take on a lineup of increasingly spicy chicken wings. Speaking candidly about his experience, Davidson shared some stomach-churning details about the aftermath of participating in the viral show.
A Grueling Challenge with Unexpected Consequences
Hot Ones, hosted by Sean Evans and produced by First We Feast, has become a global sensation, featuring A-list celebrities as they attempt to answer deep-cut questions while eating progressively hotter wings (or a vegetarian alternative). However, what fans see on-screen is only part of the story.
Davidson, 31, first appeared on the show in 2020, and his experience was anything but smooth. Now, while offering advice to his Riff Raff co-star Bill Murray—who recently took on the challenge—Davidson revealed just how taxing the spicy ordeal can be.
“A lot of Pepto-Bismol and 2-ply Cottonelle—the good toilet paper, you know?” Davidson advised Murray. “And some Wet Wipes.”
Davidson’s Hot Ones Experience Was Cut Short
Despite his enthusiasm, Davidson struggled significantly during his first Hot Ones appearance. Host Sean Evans recalled how things went so poorly that he made an unprecedented decision to spare Davidson from the final wing.
“I pulled it off the table,” Evans said in a recent episode. “I had to protect you from yourself.”
Medical Concerns Due to Crohn’s Disease
Davidson also revealed that his participation in the show was met with medical concerns due to his Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system. According to the NHS, symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.
“There were some medical concerns because of my Crohn’s disease,” Davidson explained. “Oh, by the way, I st black for about a week—flaming hot black st.”
His admission sheds light on the potential digestive challenges that come with consuming extreme spice levels, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions.
Taking On the Challenge Again with Bill Murray
Despite his past difficulties, Davidson recently returned for another round alongside Bill Murray. As soon as he bit into the final wing, Davidson’s regret was palpable.
“Motherf**ker. I don’t know why I thought it would be better… I got it,” he exclaimed.
Murray, on the other hand, handled the heat like a pro. Even after tasting the infamous Da Bomb Beyond Insanity hot sauce—widely regarded as one of the most punishing on the show—Murray remained unfazed. Instead, he comforted a teary-eyed Davidson with a hug, saying, “Oh wow, get over here. Poor fella.”
The Show’s Unbelievable Success—and a Hidden Downside
Since its launch, Hot Ones has skyrocketed in popularity, amassing over 14 million YouTube subscribers and racking up more than 4 billion views. The show has featured some of the biggest names in entertainment, from actors to musicians to athletes, all willing to test their spice tolerance in exchange for a viral moment.
However, Evans, the show’s host, admits that the success comes with a personal cost—he’s officially over chicken wings.
“When this is all done, I’m never eating another chicken wing in my life!” Evans revealed in an interview with People. “You will not see me eating wings at the Super Bowl party or anything like that.”
Even when dining out, Evans often finds himself receiving unexpected servings of wings from enthusiastic fans.
“I understand how it happens, why it happens. But I go to a restaurant and inevitably somebody will come up and be like, ‘This is from the kitchen,’ and it’ll be their wings.”
Davidson’s revelations offer a hilarious yet brutal insight into what really happens behind the scenes of Hot Ones. While fans get to enjoy the comedic reactions and fiery interviews, the physical toll on participants is very real—especially for those with sensitive stomachs.
For now, Davidson may think twice before taking on another Hot Ones challenge, but given his love for pushing his limits, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up back at the spicy table once again.
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