Sabrina Carpenter's Electric SNL Night: F-Bombs, Dojo Drama, and Plenty of Laughs

Sabrina Carpenter totally owned her double-duty debut on Saturday Night Live, bringing us a night filled with hilarious self-aware jokes, a couple of uncensored shockers, and some important conversations about cultural representation in her musical performance.

TL;DR

• Sabrina Carpenter hosted and was the musical guest on SNL on October 18, 2025, sparking both praise and controversy.
• Her performance of "Nobody's Son" featured uncensored profanity and drew criticism for cultural appropriation regarding its dojo-inspired set.
• Carpenter's opening monologue hilariously tackled her "horny pop star" image and poked fun at her "Man's Best Friend" album cover.

Sabrina Carpenter's Big Night on the Iconic Saturday Night Live Stage

Talk about pulling double duty! On October 18, 2025, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, at 26 years old, took over the legendary Saturday Night Live stage not just as the musical guest, but also as the host. Fans had been buzzing, and she certainly delivered a show that got everyone talking – for all sorts of reasons.

From cracking up the audience with her witty monologue to dropping some unexpected F-bombs during her musical set, Sabrina's presence was undeniable. But it wasn't just about the laughs and the shock value; her performance also sparked a wider conversation about cultural respect and representation.

Monologue Magic: Carpenter Hilariously Roasts Her Own Image

Right from the start, Sabrina proved she's in on the joke, embracing her "provocative" public persona with a brilliant, self-aware monologue. She wasted no time in clearing up "misconceptions," telling the audience:

"Now since I'm here, I want to clear up some misconceptions people have about me. Everyone thinks of me at this like, horndog pop star, but there's really so much more to me. I'm not just horny. I'm also turned on and I'm sexually charged. And I love to read. My favorite book is the encyclopedia. It's so big and it's hard..."

She didn't stop there. Carpenter also hilariously addressed the buzz around her album "Man's Best Friend" cover. You know, the one where she's on all fours with an "unseen figure" pulling her hair? She joked that it was actually a cropped photo from Snl's 50th Anniversary Special, showing Bowen Yang helping her up by the hair after Martin Short "shoved me out of the buffet line." It was a clever way to reframe the controversial image with humor, letting us all in on the fun.

When the F-Bomb Dropped: Uncensored Surprises on Live Television

One of the night's most talked-about moments came during Sabrina's performance of "Nobody's Son" from her new album, "Man's Best Friend." If you were watching the live East Coast broadcast or the Peacock simulcast, you likely heard a surprise. Sabrina sang the lyric "he sure fed me up" not once, but twice, completely uncensored!

This caught many viewers off guard, leading to a flurry of tweets and discussions about potential FCC fines for NBC. Interestingly, West Coast airings and later online versions of the performance were edited to censor the profanity, creating different viewing experiences across the country. It added an unplanned layer of "live TV chaos" to an already anticipated performance.

Dojo Drama: Cultural Appropriation Concerns for Her Performance

Beyond the F-bombs, Sabrina's "Nobody's Son" performance also sparked a significant conversation around cultural appropriation. The set was designed like a dojo, complete with karate-inspired choreography and dancers wearing gi uniforms. However, a crucial detail caught the attention of many, especially Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama.

Sawayama took to Instagram to point out that dancers, and even Sabrina briefly, wore shoes on the tatami mats—a major no-no in traditional Japanese martial arts and homes. Tatami mats are delicate and signify respect, making shoes on them a significant cultural faux pas. While Sawayama expressed "big love" for Sabrina, her message was clear:

"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."

This critique went beyond just the tatami, highlighting a broader issue of authenticity and the lack of diverse voices behind the scenes in Hollywood. It questioned whether creative teams are doing their due diligence or seeking expert advice when incorporating elements from other cultures, rather than reducing them to mere aesthetics.

Beyond the Controversies: Other Memorable Moments from the Episode

Despite the hot topics, the episode itself was packed with classic SNL humor and showcased Sabrina's versatility as a host. The recurring "Domingo" character made a popular return in the cold open, much to the delight of Gen Z fans. Sabrina also joined in on the "Snack Homiez" podcast sketch, where she and other cast members played teen boys talking about "GOATed" vegetables, with James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump making a guest appearance.

Other standout sketches included the surprisingly catchy "Grind" song about 13-year-olds at a school dance, and a truly wild "Shop TV: Pillow" segment featuring a pillow resembling a certain anatomical part. Reviewers also lauded newer cast members like Ashley Padilla for shining in sketches like "Surprise," where her character hilariously reacted to a truly awful surprise party. Overall, the episode was seen as a high-energy return to form for Season 51, with many new cast members getting valuable screen time.

The Big Takeaway: A Night That Got Everyone Talking About Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter's Saturday Night Live appearance was undoubtedly a major moment for the pop star. She showcased her comedic chops, performed her latest hits, and proved she's not afraid to be a little provocative. Yet, the night also served as a reminder of the ongoing discussions around cultural sensitivity in entertainment. Whether you were laughing, gasping, or deep in thought, one thing's for sure: Sabrina Carpenter delivered an SNL episode that will be remembered, and talked about, for a long time.

FAQ: Your Quick Guide to Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Episode

When did Sabrina Carpenter host and perform on Saturday Night Live?

Sabrina Carpenter hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live on October 18, 2025.

What songs did Sabrina Carpenter perform on SNL?

She performed "Nobody's Son" and "Manchild," both from her album "Man's Best Friend."

Why was her "Nobody's Son" performance controversial?

The performance included two uncensored F-bombs on live television and also drew criticism for cultural appropriation due to its dojo-inspired set, particularly the wearing of shoes on traditional Japanese tatami mats.

Where can I watch Sabrina Carpenter's full SNL episode?

While snippets and censored versions might be available on YouTube or NBC's official SNL pages, the full episode with the original live broadcast (including uncensored moments) may be available on Peacock for streaming, though profanity is typically censored in official re-uploads.

Sources:

• The National Desk (thenationaldesk.com) - "Sabrina Carpenter's provocative ways were centerstage as she hosted 'Saturday Night Live'"
• Rolling Stone (rollingstone.com) - "Rina Sawayama Has Notes for the Team Behind Sabrina Carpenter’s Japan-Inspired ‘SNL’ Set"
• Vulture (vulture.com) - "Sabrina Carpenter Should’ve Watched One Battle After Another"
• NBC News (nbcnews.com) - "Host Sabrina Carpenter gets Season 51 of ‘SNL’ back on track"
• Variety (variety.com) - "Sabrina Carpenter Sings Two F-Words Uncensored on ‘SNL’ While Performing ‘Nobody’s Son’"
• Uproxx (uproxx.com) - "Host Sabrina Carpenter Gets Season 51 of 'SNL' Back on Track"