The Idris Elba choking on hot wings meme stems from the actor's 2019 appearance on the popular YouTube series 'Hot Ones' by First We Feast. During the segment where he attempts to eat increasingly spicy chicken wings, Elba experienced a massive coughing fit and a visible physical reaction after tasting 'The Last Dab' sauce. The moment instantly went viral due to his dramatic struggle and the relatable transition from confidence to total regret. It is widely used across social media to represent situations where someone is overwhelmed by a consequence they claimed they could handle, or as a literal reaction to spicy food and intense life experiences.