Ariana Grande Shines as a Broadway Star in ‘SNL’ Monologue
In a vibrant and comedic turn on Saturday Night Live, Ariana Grande showcased her theatrical flair during her opening monologue, marking her second time hosting the iconic sketch show. The pop sensation, known for her powerhouse vocals, began her three-and-a-half-minute performance by cleverly addressing the dreams of every theater kid, joking that while many aspire to play Glinda or Elphaba from Wicked, they ultimately have other hopes tied to personal milestones.
With a nod to her prior hosting gig back in 2016, when another female presidential candidate was making headlines, Grande mused about the idea of luck in her return. She playfully noted that she was hosting without the added pressure of performing as the musical guest this time, a role that goes to Stevie Nicks this week.
As she promised to keep things “lowkey,” the singer surprised the audience with an impromptu musical number, blending her Britney Spears impersonation with a homage to Gwen Stefani’s style set to No Doubt’s hit “Don’t Speak.” Just when viewers thought she might sidestep Wicked, she encountered Bowen Yang decked out in Glinda’s sparkling costume, adding an unexpected twist to her monologue.
Grande eventually abandoned her lowkey approach, embracing her inner diva with impeccable high-energy performances that highlighted her renowned vocal abilities. She concluded her segment with a tongue-in-cheek declaration that if anyone was looking for a diva, they didn’t need to look her way—an ironic statement for one of pop music’s biggest stars.
This high-energy opening set the tone for a fun and entertaining episode, further solidifying Grande’s status as a versatile performer who can effortlessly blend comedy with musicality.