Role Model's Epic SNL Debut: Charli XCX Joins as Surprise 'Sally'

Role Model absolutely crushed his Saturday Night Live debut, bringing out none other than pop superstar Charli Xcx as his iconic "Sally," creating a buzz that's still got everyone talking and speculating!

TL;DR

• Role Model made his Saturday Night Live debut on October 11, 2025, performing his hit "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out."
• Charli XCX surprised everyone by appearing as his "Sally," sporting a "Max's Kansas City" shirt that sparked fresh Taylor Swift feud rumors.
• Beyond music, Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) is also gearing up for his acting debut in the Netflix romantic comedy Good Sex, alongside Natalie Portman.

Role Model Makes His Highly Anticipated Saturday Night Live Debut Unforgettable

Talk about making an entrance! Role Model, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, recently lit up Studio 8H during the second episode of Saturday Night Live's 51st season on October 11, 2025. It was his first time on the iconic stage, and he certainly knew how to make it count.

Fans were eager to see the 28-year-old singer-songwriter perform his viral track, "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," from the deluxe edition of his album Kansas Anymore. But nobody quite expected the level of star power he'd bring along for the ride.

The Viral 'Sally' Tradition: Who Has Joined Role Model Onstage?

If you've followed Role Model's live shows, you know the deal: during "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," he loves to invite a special guest to join him on stage as "Sally." It's become a signature, fan-favorite moment, often sparking viral content online. Over the past year, we've seen a pretty impressive lineup of celebs take on the "Sally" role, from fellow musicians to Hollywood stars:

• Olivia Rodrigo
• Natalie Portman
• Hilary Duff
• Kate Hudson
• Renee Rapp
• Troye Sivan
• Conan Gray
• Bowen Yang (who even joined him on The Tonight Show!)
• Jake Shane (the very first "Sally" at a Dallas concert in February 2025)

For his big SNL moment, everyone was on the edge of their seats wondering who "Sally" would be. And then, a roar from the crowd: Charli XCX appeared! She absolutely nailed the cameo, dancing, sliding her shades onto Role Model, blowing a kiss, and strutting off like the legend she is. It was a perfect, playful moment that delighted fans.

Unpacking the 'Max's Kansas City' Shirt and Taylor Swift Speculation

Charli XCX's appearance as "Sally" wasn't just a fun surprise; it also fueled a whole new round of online chatter. Eagle-eyed fans noticed she was wearing a T-shirt that read "Max's Kansas City." While some folks speculated it was a nod to Role Model's album Kansas Anymore, many others quickly took it as a subtle, playful jab at Taylor Swift.

Why the buzz? Well, Taylor Swift spends a lot of time in Kansas City these days, thanks to her fiancé Travis Kelce. This isn't the first time Charli XCX and Taylor Swift have found themselves at the center of alleged "feud" rumors. Fans have been connecting dots between their music, specifically Taylor's 2025 track "Actually Romantic" from her album The Life of a Showgirl, which some believe is a response to Charli's 2024 song "Sympathy is a Knife." Adding another layer to the speculation, Charli XCX is married to George Daniel of The 1975, whose bandmate Matty Healy is a former flame of Taylor's.

Both artists have denied that their songs are diss tracks, and Role Model and Charli XCX themselves had their own "faux 'Sally girl' drama" on social media after Role Model featured Troye Sivan (Charli's Sweat Tour co-headliner) as Sally in the past. It seems their SNL moment was a fun way to "officially work it out," as the article suggested. Ultimately, the "Kansas City" shirt's true meaning remains open to interpretation, but it certainly gave fans something extra to dissect!

Tucker Pillsbury: Getting to Know the Artist Behind Role Model

So, who is the artist captivating audiences and sparking viral moments? Role Model is the stage name of Tucker Pillsbury, born on May 15, 1997, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. At 28 years old, he's quickly becoming a significant voice in pop music, known for his deeply emotional, a little cheeky, and often "for the girls" sound.

Interestingly, Tucker didn't originally set out to be a singer. He was passionate about filmmaking and even attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh. However, a couple of unfortunate skiing and skateboarding accidents left him sidelined with a broken wrist. Confined to his dorm room, he started experimenting with music equipment left by friends, recording early rap mixtapes. When his grades dipped, he made the leap and dropped out to pursue music full-time.

He's evolved his sound and image over the years, starting as "Tucker," then briefly "Dillis," before settling on "Role Model" in 2017. That same year, he self-released the EP Arizona in the Summer, which caught the attention of the late Mac Miller. Soon after, he signed with Interscope Records. His discography includes two studio albums, 2022's Rx and 2024's Kansas Anymore, with a deluxe version Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) dropping in 2025.

"That's a good question. You know what, I thought it was funny at the time that I chose it, and you don't think ahead that if it works out, you're stuck with that for life. So here we are on live TV as Role Model."

— Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) on choosing his stage name

From Studio 8H to the Silver Screen: Role Model's Acting Ventures

Role Model's talents aren't limited to the music stage! He's also venturing into the world of acting, with a major debut on the horizon. He's set to star opposite Natalie Portman in Good Sex, a romantic comedy directed by Lena Dunham for Netflix. The cast is pretty stacked, also featuring Mark Ruffalo, Meg Ryan, Rashida Jones, and Tramell Tillman. Production for the film wrapped in August 2025, so we can expect to see Tucker flex his acting muscles soon.

A Look Into Role Model's Past Loves and Musical Inspirations

Fans often connect with Role Model's confessional lyrics, which often draw from his personal experiences. His 2024 album Kansas Anymore, for instance, was heavily inspired by his high-profile relationship and subsequent split from model and social media personality Emma Chamberlain.

The couple, who went public in 2022 after texting throughout the lockdown, officially called it quits in October 2023 after about three and a half years together. Pillsbury has spoken openly about the relationship, telling Nylon he had "no regrets" and was "thankful" for the beautiful time. He also shared with GQ that Emma was his "first girlfriend ever," and he was initially "scared of how it would influence my music." Clearly, it provided a lot of material for his heartfelt songs.

More Stars Shine Brightly During Saturday Night Live's Latest Episode

Role Model and Charli XCX weren't the only stars lighting up the October 11th episode! Host Amy Poehler, a beloved SNL alumna (2001-2008), brought her signature humor and even celebrated the show's 50th birthday, noting that the very first episode aired on October 11, 1975. She also delivered a memorable jab at the new AI actress Tilly Norwood, quipping, "You'll Never Be Able to Write a Joke, You Stupid Robot!"

Adding to the star-studded affair, former cast members Tina Fey and Seth Meyers also made unanticipated cameos, making the second episode of Season 51 truly a night to remember for longtime SNL fans and music lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions About Role Model's SNL Appearance When did Role Model debut on Saturday Night Live? Role Model made his SNL debut as the musical guest on October 11, 2025, during the second episode of Season 51. Who was Role Model's surprise "Sally" guest on SNL? Pop sensation Charli XCX surprised the audience by joining Role Model on stage as his "Sally girl" during his performance of "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out." What songs did Role Model perform during his Saturday Night Live set? Role Model performed "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out" and "Some Protector" from his album Kansas Anymore. Where can I watch Role Model's Saturday Night Live performance? You can catch replays of Saturday Night Live episodes on NBC (Saturdays at 11:30/10:30c) and stream them the next day on Peacock.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter - Charli XCX Crashes Role Model’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ Performance
• NBC Insider - Who is Role Model? Get to Know Saturday Night Live's October 11 Musical Guest
• Our Culture - Watch Charli XCX Join Role Model on ‘SNL’
• Zoombangla News - Who Is Role Model? Inside His Viral SNL Debut With Charli XCX Amid Taylor Swift Feud Rumors
• BollywoodShaadis - Meet Role Model, Who Made His Debut At SNL As The Musical Guest, Bringing Charli XCX As His 'Sally'
• InMusic - Role Model Brings Out Charli XCX as “Sally” During SNL Debut Performance
• Far Out Magazine - Watch Charli XCX join Role Model as surprise guest on ‘Saturday Night Live’
• The News International - Charli XCX makes surprise 'SNL' appearance with role model