Sabrina Carpenter Crushes SNL Double Duty with Hits, Humor, and Headlines

Pop phenom Sabrina Carpenter totally owned her Saturday Night Live debut as both host and musical guest on October 18, 2025, sparking conversations with her performances and flexing serious comedic muscle. It was a night no one will soon forget!

TL;DR: The Lowdown on Sabrina's Big SNL Night

• Sabrina Carpenter pulled off hosting and musical guest duties on SNL's October 18, 2025, episode like a seasoned pro.
• Her performance of "Nobody's Son" drew cultural appropriation criticism from fellow artist Rina Sawayama for featuring shoes on Japanese tatami mats.
• Carpenter also impressed with her sharp comedic skills in multiple sketches and didn't shy away from dropping a couple of uncensored F-bombs during her live musical set.

Sabrina Carpenter Takes Over Studio 8H: A Night to Remember

Talk about pulling double duty! On October 18, 2025, pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter didn't just light up the stage as Saturday Night Live's musical guest; she completely took over, stepping in as host too. It’s a rare feat for any artist, and Sabrina embraced every moment, delivering a night packed with catchy tunes, surprising humor, and a little bit of unexpected controversy that kept everyone talking.

Dancing in Her Bedroom: The "Manchild" Performance and Online Chatter

For her performance of "Manchild," Sabrina transported us straight into a relatable bedroom scene. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and glittery pink underwear emblazoned with "It's Saturday Night," she danced around, singing into a hairbrush, creating a vibe that many fans instantly connected with. It felt like a universal "girlhood" experience, carefree and authentic.

However, being Sabrina Carpenter, the internet, as it often does, had thoughts. Some online users were quick to criticize her presentation, judging her "sexual" performance and questioning her motives for fame. But let's be real: Sabrina is a 26-year-old adult woman who is unapologetically herself. Her comfort with her sexuality and desires isn't a problem, and frankly, expecting her to act a certain way is a "you problem," not hers.

From Karate Kicks to Cultural Critiques: "Nobody's Son" Ignites Discussion

Sabrina's second musical performance, "Nobody's Son," came with a dramatically different backdrop: a martial arts studio. Donning a short, sparkly karate uniform, she performed against a set featuring traditional Japanese tatami mats, complete with dancers in gi (martial arts uniforms) doing karate-inspired choreography. She even showed off some moves herself, breaking blocks of wood and kicking a man mid-song, adding an intense theatrical flair.

While visually striking, this performance quickly sparked a conversation about cultural appropriation. Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama was among those who offered "big love" to Sabrina but also shared some "light criticism" on Instagram. Her main point? The dancers were wearing sneakers on the tatami mats – a big no-no in Japanese culture.

"Big love to Sabrina but fellow artists creative teams… if we are clearly referencing a culture, please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves. Shoes on tatami is jail."

— Rina Sawayama, Japanese-British Singer

Sawayama's comments highlight an important point: when artists reference other cultures, it’s crucial to do so with proper research and respect. This isn't just about a small detail like shoes on a mat; it often points to a larger issue of a lack of diversity behind the scenes, where an expert from that culture could have provided invaluable guidance and ensured a more respectful portrayal.

On a slightly different note, the "Nobody's Son" performance also made headlines for Sabrina dropping the F-word twice during the live NBC and Peacock simulcast! While censored for later airings and online versions, it certainly caught the attention of fans and had social media buzzing.

From Pop Princess to Sketch Comedy Queen: Sabrina's Unexpected Hosting Prowess

Beyond her musical sets, Sabrina Carpenter truly shone as a host. She was everywhere, appearing in every single sketch of the night – a testament to her versatility and the confidence the SNL writers had in her. It makes sense, too, given her background as a Disney kid (remember Girl Meets World?), where she honed serious comedic acting chops early on.

Addressing Album Art & Setting the Tone in Her Monologue

In her opening monologue, Sabrina quickly set the stage, poking fun at her own "provocative persona" and clearing up misconceptions. She even joked about the controversial cover of her album, Man's Best Friend, which features her on all fours with an "unseen figure" pulling her hair. Turns out, it was just Bowen Yang helping her up after Martin Short shoved her out of the buffet line at the SNL 50th anniversary special!

Revisiting Fan Favorites and Introducing Fresh Comedy Bits

The night kicked off with a return of the wildly popular "Domingo" sketch, which parodied Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" from her new album, "The Life of a Showgirl." Sabrina joined Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, and Veronika Slowikowska as friends whose song parodies slowly reveal more about Kelsey's questionable adventures with Domingo (Marcello Hernández).

Other highlights included:

• "Snack Homiez" (Boys Podcast): Sabrina, along with Chloe Fineman, Jane Wickline, and Veronika Slowikowska, transformed into hilarious tween boys hosting a podcast, complete with accurate Gen Z slang. James Austin Johnson even dropped in as Trump discussing Halloween candy.
• "Grind Song": A prerecorded digital short with Bowen Yang (who was accepting an award that night) that was surprisingly catchy and funny, exploring the "joys" of middle school dance grinding.
• "Girlboss Seminar": Sabrina played Queenlisha, a concussed motivational speaker who kept delivering absurd platitudes after being tossed through a window by her dancers. It was delightfully silly, even with a few technical mishaps.
• "Plans": A relatable digital sketch portraying a couple (Sabrina and Ben Marshall) in a horror movie-style panic as they try to avoid unwelcome plans with an annoying family member played by Sarah Sherman.
• "Surprise": Ashley Padilla absolutely stole the show in this 10-to-1 sketch about a woman who can't stop farting at her surprise party, causing several cast members to break character.

Many reviewers and fans agreed that Sabrina's hosting performance was stellar, showcasing her natural charisma, impeccable timing, and a genuine knack for comedy. It truly felt like she was right at home in the SNL universe, prompting suggestions for her to star in her own Goldie Hawn-style rom-com caper ASAP!

Wrapping Up a Wild Weekend: The Verdict on Sabrina's SNL Takeover

Overall, Sabrina Carpenter's Saturday Night Live episode was a resounding success, earning positive reviews for her double duty. From the viral musical moments (controversies and F-bombs included!) to her impressive comedic turns in sketch after sketch, she proved she's far more than just a pop star. It was a memorable night that, according to some critics, even helped get SNL's 51st season "back on track."

If you missed out on the excitement, you can catch Sabrina's episode on Peacock, where past SNL episodes are available to stream. The show will be taking a week off before returning on Saturday, November 1st, with Miles Teller as host and Brandi Carlile as the musical guest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Episode

When did Sabrina Carpenter host Saturday Night Live? Sabrina Carpenter hosted and was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on October 18, 2025. What songs did Sabrina Carpenter perform on SNL? She performed "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son" from her latest album. Why was Sabrina Carpenter's "Nobody's Son" performance on SNL controversial? The performance sparked cultural appropriation concerns, specifically because dancers wore shoes on traditional Japanese tatami mats, which is considered disrespectful. Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama brought this issue to light. Where can I watch Sabrina Carpenter's full SNL episode? You can stream Sabrina Carpenter's Saturday Night Live episode on Peacock.

Sources

• Various news outlets and entertainment reviews covering the October 18, 2025, Saturday Night Live episode.