Overview

• College TikToker Cole Smith posted a tongue-in-cheek video after Palmer’s Hot Ones interview, asking her out despite an 11-year age gap and offering Nutri-Grain bars.
• His clip drew more than 13 million views and thousands of comments, prompting Palmer to stitch a response calling his move bold and saying she isn’t ready to be a cougar.
• Palmer joked that when Smith was born she was already winning spelling bees, then added that if she were ready, he would be the first person she called.
• Smith told People he initially doubted her reply was real before he “started freaking out,” and he later posted a reaction video shooting his shot again.
• Palmer commented on his follow-up with encouragement—“See you in ten, sir”—as the exchange remained a viral, good-natured moment with no sign of an actual romance.