Lady Gaga Shines on Saturday Night Live with Performances of “Abracadabra” and “Killah”
In a dazzling display of talent, Lady Gaga took to the stage as both host and musical guest on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live, just a stone’s throw from the anticipated release of her seventh studio album, MAYHEM. The pop sensation kicked off her performance with her hit single “Abracadabra,” showcasing her creativity within a shimmering light-up mirrored box.
Following that, Gaga delivered a high-energy rendition of her new track “Killah,” initially filmed in the backstage areas of studio 8H before she joined her vibrant, neon-clad band onstage, impressively transitioning through a costume change. Throughout the night, she didn’t just focus on her music; Gaga also showcased her comedic abilities in various sketches. Portraying a funeral home director, she serenaded the audience with a humorous tune about the overuse of the word “slay” and led an unexpected satanic ritual at a Friendly’s-themed birthday party.
During her opening monologue, Gaga humorously recalled her previous hosting stint in 2013, quipping about the experiences of her past performances. She even referenced her Razzie-winning role alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux and shared anecdotes about how her mother played matchmaker for her current fiancée.
This marks only Lady Gaga’s second time serving as host for SNL, yet it is her fifth appearance as a musical guest. Before giving viewers a taste of MAYHEM, she performed “Hold My Hand,” the original song from Top Gun: Maverick, during the 2025 Super Bowl and collaborated with Bruno Mars for a cover of “California Dreamin’” at the 2025 Grammys, where they snagged the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award for their work on “Die With a Smile.”
Additionally, at SNL’s 50th anniversary concert last month, Gaga and Andy Samberg entertained the crowd with a performance of the Lonely Island hit “Dick in a Box.” As part of its golden anniversary celebration, the 50th season of Saturday Night Live premiered in September, with Gaga becoming the third artist this season to take on the dual role of host and musical guest, following Timothée Chalamet and Charli XCX.
Last week’s musical guest was Tate McRae. To commemorate its 50 years on air, SNL also aired a concert special and the three-hour live production entitled SNL50: The Anniversary Special, featuring musical performances from notable artists including Paul Simon, Sabrina Carpenter, Lil Wayne, and Paul McCartney.
Don’t miss out on more insights about Lady Gaga’s album MAYHEM, and keep an eye out for our reviews of “Abracadabra” and “Garden of Eden.”
