Ariana Grande Stuns Fans with Epic Broadway-Style Opening on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Ariana Grande kicked off the latest episode of Saturday Night Live with an unforgettable monologue, marking her second time as host of the popular NBC comedy show. The Wicked star turned her three-and-a-half-minute opening into a mini Broadway spectacle, reflecting her love for theatre and her starring role in the Oz-inspired musical.
With her signature playful tone, the Grammy-winning pop star reminisced about her first time hosting SNL in 2016, during another significant moment in American politics. “So I guess the second time’s the charm,” she quipped, acknowledging that this time around, she wasn’t balancing both hosting and performing as the musical guest.
Unlike her previous stint, this episode featured Stevie Nicks as the musical guest, allowing Grande, 31, to focus solely on her hosting duties. “I’m just hosting. No, I’m not going to make this about me; I’m just gonna have fun, take it easy, and keep it low-key,” she said, setting the tone for a laid-back night—or so it seemed.
Despite her vow to keep things simple, Grande couldn’t resist the spotlight for long. What started as a promise to take it easy quickly evolved into an impromptu performance. She launched into a playful ballad that transformed into a full-blown cabaret-style number, giving the audience a taste of her theatrical flair.
During the performance, Grande seamlessly transitioned from one of her signature impressions of Britney Spears to an homage to Gwen Stefani’s vocals, belting out a snippet of No Doubt’s Don’t Speak. It was a classic Grande moment, filled with vocal acrobatics and humor, much to the delight of the audience.
In a humorous twist, despite vowing not to mention Wicked, Grande bumped into cast member Bowen Yang, hilariously decked out in full Glinda drag, reminding everyone of her role in the iconic musical.
Grande’s monologue was a perfect blend of humor, talent, and Broadway-style pizzazz, setting the stage for a fun-filled episode of Saturday Night Live.