Olivia Rodrigo Hosts 'SNL' for First Time, Jabs at Jake Paul and Debuts New Songs

Key facts

• Olivia Rodrigo hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time on May 2, 2025.
• She also served as musical guest, performing 'Drop Dead' and debuting 'Begged'.
• Rodrigo appeared in seven aired sketches, including a soap opera parody and a 'Drivers License' spoof.
• She joked about former 'Bizaardvark' co-star Jake Paul in her monologue; Paul responded on social media.
• Blondie's Debbie Harry introduced Rodrigo's first performance; actor Connor Storrie introduced 'Begged'.
• Rodrigo had previously been a musical guest on SNL in 2021 and 2023.
• She called the night 'the best night of my life' on Instagram, thanking Lorne Michaels and the SNL team.

A Double-Duty Debut on Studio 8H

On May 2, Olivia Rodrigo became the latest artist to pull double duty on Saturday Night Live, hosting the iconic sketch show for the first time while also serving as the musical guest. The 23-year-old Grammy winner delivered a monologue, seven sketches, and two musical performances, marking a milestone in a career that began on the Disney Channel. Rodrigo had previously appeared on SNL only as a musical guest, in 2021 and 2023. This time, she took on the full range of live comedy, from pre-taped parodies to physical slapstick, earning praise from the show's creator Lorne Michaels and her fellow cast members.

Monologue Jabs and a Jake Paul Response

In her opening monologue, Rodrigo reminisced about her time on the Disney Channel sitcom Bizaardvark, where she acted alongside Jake Paul. She recalled telling Paul she wanted to 'create music that explores the complexities of girls my age,' while Paul said he wanted to 'beat up old guys on Netflix.' Both, she noted, achieved their dreams. Paul, now a boxer and internet personality, responded on social media, writing that they both 'had the vision' and that he told her she would 'sell stadiums out.' He added, 'proud of you fr,' and reposted the message on Instagram set to her hit 'drivers license.' When a commenter suggested Rodrigo was laughing at him, Paul said, 'I got that she was making a joke at my expense. So what. She’s on SNL and that’s what they are supposed to do. Doesn’t change my admiration of her and her success.' He also posted a throwback photo of the two on the Bizaardvark set, captioned 'Ah the good ole days.'

Musical Performances and New Song Debuts

Rodrigo performed two songs during the episode. Blondie's Debbie Harry introduced her first performance, the giddy new single 'Drop Dead,' the lead track from Rodrigo's upcoming third studio album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.' Later, actor Connor Storrie introduced the debut of an emotionally turbulent ballad called 'Begged.' Both performances were live, marking the first televised renditions of the new material. Rodrigo also sang in two sketches and in her monologue, showcasing her musicality beyond the dedicated musical segments.

Seven Sketches: From Soap Opera Villain to TikTok Star

Rodrigo appeared in seven sketches that made it to air, playing a diverse range of roles. In the opening sketch, 'Edge of Destiny,' she portrayed a soap opera villain and demonstrated physical comedy skills, tumbling down stairs alongside the cast. Another sketch, 'Home Security Ad,' a pre-taped parody, cast her as a TikTok influencer working for a home security company, though her screen time was limited. Other roles included a human teen trapped in a zoo exhibit on Bug Planet, a girl obsessed with her ex at a friend's birthday, a lava cake maker unaware of her goods' appearance, a main character in an Isley Brothers 'Busted' parody, a witness to the next great white Rasta artist, and a TikToker with an unexpected employer. at least two additional sketches were tested but did not air: one on situationships and another featuring Rodrigo as a guest on a Kenan Thompson-hosted daytime talk show.

A Milestone Night for a Former Disney Star

Rodrigo's SNL hosting debut capped a journey from child actress to pop superstar. She began her career in an Old Navy commercial and later starred as a regular on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, which ran from 2016 to 2019. Her stage command, honed over countless nights on tour, served her well in navigating the chaos of live television, according to observers. After the show, Rodrigo took to Instagram to express her gratitude, calling it 'the best night of my mf life!!!! such a dream come true!!!' She thanked Lorne Michaels and the SNL team for being 'so welcoming and brilliant,' adding, 'will remember this forever!!!!' The post included a photo of her standing in front of her dressing room door, her name plate on display.

The Broader Context: SNL's Tradition of Double-Duty Hosts

Rodrigo joins a long line of artists who have both hosted and performed as musical guest on SNL, a demanding role that requires versatility and quick thinking. The show's writers leaned into her musical background, crafting sketches that allowed her to sing, including a parody of her 2021 hit 'drivers license.' The episode also featured a political cold open and a mix of pre-taped and live segments, maintaining the show's typical format. Rodrigo's ability to handle late rewrites via cue card, a skill that even seasoned performers find challenging, was noted as a testament to her preparation.

What Comes Next: New Album and Touring

Rodrigo's SNL appearance served as a promotional platform for her upcoming third studio album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,' which includes the singles 'Drop Dead' and 'Begged.' The album is highly anticipated following the success of her debut 'Sour' and its follow-up 'Guts.' With her SNL milestone behind her, Rodrigo is expected to continue her tour and album rollout. The night also reignited public interest in her former co-star Jake Paul, who remains a prominent figure in boxing and social media. For now, Rodrigo's focus appears to be on celebrating a career-defining moment, as she told her followers: 'Saturday night Liv!!!! Best night of my life!!!!'

The bottom line

• Olivia Rodrigo hosted SNL for the first time on May 2, 2025, also serving as musical guest and performing new songs 'Drop Dead' and 'Begged.'
• She appeared in seven sketches, showcasing her comedy and physical acting skills, and parodied her former Disney co-star Jake Paul in her monologue.
• Jake Paul responded positively to the jab, expressing admiration for Rodrigo's success and posting a throwback photo from their 'Bizaardvark' days.
• Rodrigo's SNL debut marked a milestone in her transition from child actress to Grammy-winning pop star, with previous SNL appearances only as a musical guest.
• The episode included a 'drivers license' parody, a soap opera sketch, and a pre-taped commercial parody featuring Rodrigo as a TikTok influencer.
• Rodrigo called the night 'the best night of my life' on Instagram, thanking Lorne Michaels and the SNL team.