If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last decade, you’ve probably seen a clip of Selena Gomez and Jimmy Fallon losing their minds over a spicy chicken wing or a "Can You Feel It?" box. It’s a thing. A very specific, very chaotic thing. Honestly, late-night TV can feel pretty staged most of the time—lots of pre-approved anecdotes and polite laughter. But when Selena walks onto the Tonight Show set, that whole vibe usually goes out the window.
She isn't just a guest. She's a regular who has basically grown up in front of those cameras, and her rapport with Jimmy is a masterclass in what happens when two people genuinely enjoy each other’s company. It’s weird. It's loud. And it’s surprisingly honest.
The Viral Moments That Almost Broke the Internet
We have to talk about the spicy wings. You know the ones. Back in 2019, Selena and Jimmy did a "Hot Ones" style segment that went south so fast it’s now the stuff of legend. Jimmy recently shared a story on Hot Ones (the real one) about how that segment nearly ended their friendship.
Basically, Selena was in so much pain from the hot sauce that she ran to her dressing room, threw up in the sink, and when Jimmy knocked to check on her, she told him—in what he described as a "devil voice"—to get out. They didn't speak for years! Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but the trauma was real. It’s those kinds of "I can’t believe we’re doing this" moments that make people search for Selena Gomez and Jimmy Fallon every time she has a new project to promote.
Games and Total Chaos
Whether it’s Egg Roulette or Catchphrase, the games are never just games.
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- The "Can You Feel It?" Box: Selena reaching into a box and touching a live lizard or a creepy wig is high-stakes comedy.
- Egg Roulette: Watching a global superstar smash raw eggs against her head because of a bad roll of the dice is oddly grounding.
- Voice Swapping: Just recently, in September 2025, Selena, Steve Martin, and Martin Short did a "Freaky Friday" cold open where they all swapped voices with Jimmy.
The voice swap was ridiculous. Selena ended up with Steve Martin’s voice. Steve had Marty’s. Jimmy had Black Thought’s. It was a mess, but it worked because they were all in on the joke.
Why the Only Murders Trio Changes the Game
When Selena shows up with her Only Murders in the Building co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, the energy shifts from "friendly interview" to "brutal roast session." It’s basically three generations of comedy legends (yes, Selena is a comedy legend at this point) making fun of Jimmy for ten minutes straight.
During their 2025 appearance, Martin Short joked that Jimmy’s teeth were so white they looked like an email from Donald Trump—all caps. Steve Martin told Jimmy that of all the late-night hosts, he’d miss him the most when he got "deported to Uganda." Selena usually sits in the middle, playing the straight man to their chaos, but she throws plenty of shade too. It’s the ultimate "youngest sibling" energy.
A New Chapter: The Benny Blanco Era
Lately, the conversations have turned a bit more personal. Selena confirmed on the show in late 2025 that her wedding planning with Benny Blanco is "going well." She even revealed that Martin Short is going to be the ringbearer. Can you imagine? Marty Short walking down the aisle with a ring pillow. That’s a Tonight Show exclusive that actually felt like a real life update rather than a PR script.
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The Business of Rare Beauty and Beyond
Beyond the laughs, Jimmy has been a huge platform for Selena’s transition from "pop star" to "mogul." When she launched Rare Beauty in 2020, the Tonight Show was one of the first places she really broke down the mission behind the brand. It wasn't just about selling blush (though that blush is everywhere). It was about mental health and self-acceptance.
Jimmy has a way of pivoting from a silly game to a serious conversation about the Rare Impact Fund without it feeling jarring. It’s a rare skill. Most hosts make it feel like a commercial. With them, it feels like two friends catching up on a big life achievement.
What Most People Get Wrong About Late Night Friendships
People think these "friendships" are 100% fake. Look, it’s Hollywood. Everything is a little bit calculated. But there is a level of comfort between Selena Gomez and Jimmy Fallon that you can't really faked.
You can’t fake the look of genuine disgust Selena gave him after the spicy wings. You can’t fake the way they both devolved into giggles during the Billie Eilish "Bad Guy" / Wizards of Waverly Place mashup. The show has become a home base for her.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're looking to keep up with this duo or even learn from how they handle branding and media, here’s the play:
- Watch the full interviews, not just the clips. The best moments often happen in the transition between a joke and a real answer. You miss the nuance in 30-second TikToks.
- Observe the branding pivot. Notice how Selena uses these appearances to balance her "relatable" persona with her high-level business goals. It's a masterclass in public relations.
- Check the 2025/2026 archives. If you haven't seen the "Freaky Friday" cold open from September 9, 2025, find it. It’s arguably the most creative thing the Tonight Show has done in years.
- Support the cause. Selena often mentions the Rare Impact Fund during these segments. If you’re a fan of the "authentic" Selena seen on Fallon, looking into her mental health advocacy is the best way to support her actual work.
The relationship between a late-night host and a recurring guest is a weird part of American culture. It’s a mix of promotion, performance, and—occasionally—real human connection. In the case of Selena and Jimmy, it’s mostly just a lot of yelling and the occasional vomited chicken wing. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
To stay updated on their next collaboration, keep an eye on the NBC late-night schedule during the Only Murders Season 5 press run, as the trio is almost guaranteed to return for more roasting.