Ariana Grande made her triumphant return to the Saturday Night Live stage on December 20th, and as expected, she absolutely killed it. The multi-talented singer, songwriter, and actress delivered an unforgettable performance as both the host and musical guest of SNL’s holiday episode.
For those who may have missed it, fear not! We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of every sketch featuring Grande, so you can relive the magic or catch up on what you missed.
The episode kicked off with a hilarious cold open featuring Alec Baldwin as President Trump, who is visited by ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Grande made a brief appearance as a beguiling Ghost of Christmas Present, clad in a sparkly silver dress and showcasing her impressive vocal range with a few lines of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music.
Next up was Grande’s monologue, which saw her effortlessly glide through a medley of Christmas songs, showcasing her impressive vocal abilities. She also gave a nod to her role in the Broadway musical 13, by performing a snippet of “The Thirteen Reprise” with the SNL cast as her backup singers.
The first sketch of the night featured Grande as a talk show host who couldn’t stop breaking into song, much to the annoyance of her guests played by Kenan Thompson and Jimmy Fallon. Grande’s comedic timing and musical talent shone in this sketch, making it a standout moment of the night.
In another sketch, Grande played a high school student, alongside Pete Davidson, who are assigned to do a video project on the history of rap. The duo hilariously struggle to keep up with the fast-paced lyrics and choreography of classic rap songs, but ultimately win over their classmates with their own rap about the project.
Grande also showcased her acting chops in a hilarious parody of Netflix’s popular show, The Crown. She played a grown-up version of Queen Elizabeth’s daughter, Princess Margaret, who is constantly overshadowed by her older sister. Grande’s British accent and comedic timing were on point, making this sketch a fan favorite.
The musical performances of the night were no less impressive. Grande performed her hit song “Imagine” while floating on a cloud, adding a magical touch to the performance. She also delivered a stunning rendition of “Santa Tell Me” with a little help from her backup dancers, giving the audience all the holiday feels.
But the standout musical moment of the night was Grande’s performance of her latest single, “Ghostin”. Dressed in an ethereal white gown, Grande poured her heart and soul into the emotional ballad, leaving the audience in awe of her vocal range and raw talent.
The final sketch of the night saw Grande portray a bubbly morning news anchor who just can’t seem to stop laughing during her broadcast. Despite her best efforts, she breaks character several times, causing her co-anchors, played by Thompson and Davidson, to do the same. It was a fun and lighthearted way to end the episode, with Grande’s infectious laughter filling the studio.
Overall, Grande’s return to SNL was nothing short of spectacular. She effortlessly showcased her range as a performer, from her impeccable comedic timing to her powerhouse vocals. It’s safe to say that she can add “SNL host” to her already impressive resume.
Grande’s fans and celebrities alike took to social media to praise her performance, with many calling her the best host of the season so far. And we couldn’t agree more. Bravo, Ariana!
In conclusion, Grande’s appearance on SNL’s holiday episode was a night to remember. She brought her A-game and delivered an unforgettable performance that left everyone in awe. We can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the future. Until then, we’ll be replaying her sketches and musical performances on repeat.
