Ariana Grande returned to Saturday Night Live (SNL) this weekend as the host, bringing her trademark humor and vocal versatility to the show. Fans were treated to a dazzling display of her famed celebrity impressions, including Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Gwen Stefani, during the opening monologue.
Dressed in a glamorous pink gown, Grande hinted at keeping things “low key” for the night. However, just moments into her introduction, the pop star launched into song, showing off her vocal prowess with the iconic opening notes of Spears’ hit “…Baby One More Time.” Her transition into flawless impersonations of Cyrus and Stefani had the Studio 8H audience in awe, as she effortlessly mimicked the distinctive styles of these pop icons.
In addition to her musical impressions, Grande humorously interacted with Bowen Yang, who appeared as Glinda, a nod to Grande’s upcoming role in the live-action adaptation of Wicked, which is set for release in November 2024. The interaction added a lighthearted twist to the performance, with Grande jokingly informing Yang that their Wicked sketch had been cut.
Grande has long been praised for her ability to impersonate other stars, a talent she first showcased when she hosted SNL in 2016. This weekend’s episode marked her second time as host, following the success of her album Eternal Sunshine, which topped the Billboard 200 earlier this year.
The episode also featured Stevie Nicks as the musical guest, returning to SNL for the first time since 1983. Grande’s performance, coupled with Nicks’ powerful renditions of “The Lighthouse” and “Edge of Seventeen,” made the October 12 episode a memorable one for fans of music and comedy alike.
Grande’s Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo, will portray Elphaba in the highly anticipated movie, which is directed by Jon M. Chu. Fans can expect to see the film in theaters on November 22, 2024.
Ariana Grande’s hosting stint brought humor, nostalgia, and a showcase of her vocal talents, further solidifying her as a dynamic entertainer. The next episode of SNL, airing on October 19, will feature Michael Keaton as host, with Billie Eilish returning as the musical guest.