Olivia Rodrigo Hosts and Performs on SNL — A Night of Music, Sketches, and Surprises
Olivia Rodrigo made history as both host and musical guest on the May 2, 2025, episode of Saturday Night Live, marking her first time hosting and her third overall appearance on the iconic show.
The episode featured two new songs from her upcoming third album, a playful monologue, and a series of memorable sketches. Here's a full breakdown of the night.
Musical Performances
Rodrigo performed two songs from her upcoming album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.
Her first performance was introduced by Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie. Rodrigo sang "drop dead," the lead single from the album, which was released on April 17, 2025, and has already reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Her second performance was introduced by actor Connor Storrie. She performed a previously unreleased ballad titled "begged" while seated on a swing. The song's visual presentation mirrored the cover art for her third album, which depicts Rodrigo upside-down on a swing. "begged" is a subdued ballad with lyrics addressing themes of longing and uncertainty. Rodrigo debuted the song in late March 2025 at an invite-only Los Angeles show alongside Weyes Blood.
Hosting and Monologue
Rodrigo opened the episode with a monologue that showcased her signature blend of humor and self-awareness.
"I want to name my four favorite cast members: Mikey Day, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Chloe Fineman."
She referenced her album titles — Sour, Guts, and the upcoming You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love — and discussed her time on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, including co-star Jake Paul and his boxing career. She also recalled a childhood commercial for Old Navy and an onstage fall from 2024.
Rodrigo closed the monologue with a musical parody of her song "drivers license," rewritten as a story about obtaining a California Real ID at the DMV. Actor Aziz Ansari appeared in the monologue as FBI Director Kash Patel.
Sketches
The episode's cold open featured cast member Ashley Padilla portraying White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, with Colin Jost as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Aziz Ansari as FBI Director Kash Patel. Ansari's character commented on the previous week's White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and the alleged gunman's manifesto.
Rodrigo participated in a musical sketch performing an original song about a "perfect bedroom," which was revealed to be an exhibit at a zoo on a "bug people planet." The sketch included a parody film created by bug people and a claw machine delivering a potential mate.
Other sketches included:
- A jilted girlfriend attempting to make her ex jealous.
- An amateur baker whose bundt cake resembles an anus.
- A soap opera character who pushes people down stairs.
- A fake commercial for "Safeguard" home security, featuring a TikToker interviewing intruders. The sketch included New Jersey Senator Cory Booker as a recurring break-in participant.
Guest Appearances
- Debbie Harry introduced Rodrigo's first performance.
- Connor Storrie introduced Rodrigo's second performance.
- Aziz Ansari appeared as FBI Director Kash Patel in the cold open and Rodrigo's monologue.
- Cory Booker appeared in the "Safeguard" home security sketch.
Album and Tour Information
Rodrigo's third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, is scheduled for release on June 12, 2025.
Rodrigo recorded the album with longtime collaborator Dan Nigro, who also worked on Sour (2021) and Guts (2023). Rodrigo has described the new album as a collection of "sad love songs" written from a reflective emotional perspective.
Rodrigo also announced the Unraveled Tour, which includes 65 arena dates across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The tour is scheduled to begin on September 25, 2025, at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut. Four-night residencies are planned in London, New York, and Los Angeles. Openers on select dates include Grace Ives, the Last Dinner Party, and Wolf Alice.
Background and Recent Events
Rodrigo first gained widespread attention with the release of Sour in 2021, followed by Guts in 2023. She has won three Grammy Awards and received Album of the Year nominations for both albums.
In April 2025, Rodrigo made a surprise appearance at the Coachella music festival, joining Addison Rae onstage to perform "drop dead" live for the first time. She also played a one-night-only show at The Echo in Los Angeles.
Rodrigo is the third artist to both host and serve as musical guest on SNL's 51st season, following Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter. The next episode of SNL is scheduled for May 9, 2025, with host Matt Damon and musical guest Noah Kahan.