Last night, Olivia Rodrigo hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, taking on the challenge of double duty as both host and musical guest. With a little luck on her side courtesy of last week’s musical guest Jack White, Rodrigo performed “Drop Dead,” the lead single off her forthcoming album You Seem Pretty Sad For a Girl So in Love. She also debuted her new song “Begged”—which she first teased at an invite-only show in Los Angeles last month—accompanied by Weyes Blood.
During her monologue, Rodrigo shared a nostalgic look back at her earliest acting role in an Old Navy commercial at age six and performed a comedic parody of “Driver’s License” centered on the frustrations of obtaining a Real I.D. Throughout the episode, she showcased her range in various sketches, portraying a jilted ex-girlfriend, an amateur baker with a questionable bundt cake, and a dramatic soap opera character.
Beyond the musical collaboration with Weyes Blood, Rodrigo’s guest list featured Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie, who introduced “Begged,” and the legendary Debbie Harry, who introduced “Drop Dead.” The episode also featured a surprise appearance from Aziz Ansari, who stepped in to play FBI Director Kash Patel.
Rodrigo’s previous SNL appearance in 2023 saw her perform “Vampire” and “All-American Bitch” ahead of the release of her second album, Guts. She is the third artist to both host and perform on the show’s 51st season, following in the footsteps of Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter.
You Seem Pretty Sad For a Girl So in Love is scheduled for release on June 12. On Thursday, she announced the Unraveled Tour, which will feature four-night residencies in London, New York, and Los Angeles, with support from Grace Ives, the Last Dinner Party, and Wolf Alice.