Things heated up on Good Morning America Thursday morning—literally—as Hot Ones host and internet star Sean Evans brought his spicy wing challenge right into the ABC studio. Taking on the flames? None other than longtime GMA anchor Robin Roberts.

May be an image of 2 people, television and newsroom

As the segment kicked off, co-hosts Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos couldn’t resist poking fun. Michael joked, “I love Hot Ones… just wouldn’t do it live, that’s all I’m saying,” to which Robin shot back, “Exactly why I’m doing it—you two chickened out!” George chuckled and added, “They didn’t even bother asking me!”

Lara Spencer cheers on GMA co-host Robin Roberts during the Hot Ones challenge in the studio, shared on Instagram

Grinning, Robin thanked Sean warmly before the challenge began: “I adore you. I think what you’re doing is amazing—see, I’m trying to butter you up!” Sean responded by pointing out she was the first to take on the spicy wings live in the morning. Robin laughed and admitted, “I never said I wanted to do it live. I wanted to pre-tape like everyone else. But here we are!”

Instead of the full ten-wing gauntlet, Robin braved a shorter set of just three wings—one mild, one medium, and one scorching hot. Her co-hosts Michael, George, and Lara Spencer stood by, cheering and teasing as she tackled each bite. Michael even joked that Robin was dragging out her answers to buy time between bites.

As the wings got hotter, Robin opened up about her early days working as a school bus driver and a country radio DJ—stories that quickly began trending online. By the second wing, the spice nearly made her slip: “I almost said a bad word,” she confessed.

Michael Strahan makes long-awaited return to GMA but where is Robin Roberts? | HELLO!

By the third and final wing, tears welled up in her eyes. Still laughing through spoonfuls of ice cream, Robin shared a touching message inspired by her late mother: “It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone—that’s what my mama always told me.” She gasped and joked, “Mama, I’m coming to see you!”—earning laughs all around the studio.

To cap off the segment, Michael Strahan jumped in with a perfectly timed joke: “Robin, we were going to have you read this tease, but… we can’t understand a word you’re saying right now. That hot sauce really got you!”

In the end, Robin showed that pushing your limits can lead to the biggest laughs—and the hottest memories.