Academy Award-winning actress Penélope Cruz appeared on the YouTube series "Hot Ones" to eat spicy wings and promote her film "The Invite" [1].
The appearance highlights the intersection of high-profile cinema and digital-first media, using the show's viral format to reach a younger audience for her latest project.
Cruz visited the First We Feast studio in Los Angeles to participate in the challenge, which pairs an interview with increasingly spicy chicken wings [1]. Despite the heat, the actress maintained a positive demeanor, laughing throughout the segment [1].
"I'm not scared of spice," Cruz said [1].
However, the intensity of the wings eventually overwhelmed her. Cruz said she had to beg for some ice cream to cool things down [1]. The actress used the platform to discuss her work and her personal life, including her interactions with other celebrities.
"Bad Bunny convinced my kids that I'm cool," Cruz said [1].
The interview served as a promotional vehicle for "The Invite," an A24 comedy. The film saw a select-theater release on June 26, 2024 [2], followed by a nationwide release on July 10, 2024 [2].
By appearing on a show known for breaking down a guest's composure, Cruz leaned into a more relatable and candid persona. This strategy aligns with modern promotional cycles where traditional press junkets are supplemented by high-engagement social media content, creating a bridge between prestige acting and internet culture.
“"I'm not scared of spice."”
The use of 'Hot Ones' as a promotional tool for a prestige A24 film demonstrates a shift in how studios market adult-oriented comedies. By placing a global star like Cruz in a physically demanding and humbling environment, the campaign humanizes the talent and generates short-form, shareable clips that are more likely to trend on social media than traditional talk-show interviews.
