Surprising Showstoppers: Celebrity Powerhouses Who Crushed as Host and Musical Guest on 'SNL'
A star-studded lineup of celebrities, including Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and more, have showcased their versatility as both host and musical guest on 'Saturday Night Live' Discover the impressive list of multi-talented performers who have graced the iconic stage
Harry Styles had the incredible opportunity to both host and perform on an episode of Saturday Night Live in November 2019, a significant achievement for any star. He not only entertained the audience with his comedic skills in various sketches but also delighted them with his chart-topping songs "Lights Up" and "Watermelon Sugar" in front of the Studio 8H crowd.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be here, hosting Saturday Night Live for the first time. It feels incredible to be more than just a musical guest," Styles exclaimed in his monologue. "It's like finding out that someone has feelings for you beyond friendship. Saturday Night Live and I have taken our connection to the next level. And like all my serious relationships, we'll spend an unforgettable night together before parting ways."
While Styles emphasized that music remained his top priority, he expressed his enthusiasm for showcasing his comedic skills, spending quality time with loved ones, and maintaining his fabulous hair. "SNL holds such a rich history, and I'm truly grateful to be here," Styles gushed.
Scroll below for a look back at which stars have been both the SNL host and musical guest during the same episode:
Credit: YouTube(3)
Celebs Who've Been Host and Musical Guest on the Same 'SNL' Episode: Harry Styles, Jennifer Lopez and More
Hosting or performing on an episode of Saturday Night Live is a significant opportunity. It becomes even more noteworthy when a celebrity has the chance to do both on the same night.
In November 2019, Harry Styles became part of this distinguished group. He not only entertained the audience with his participation in various sketches but also mesmerized them with his performances of his popular songs, "Lights Up" and "Watermelon Sugar," at Studio 8H.
"It's such an incredible experience to be hosting Saturday Night Live for the first time. I'm filled with excitement to be here, not just as a musical guest, and it truly feels amazing," Styles expressed enthusiastically in his monologue. "It's like discovering that someone likes you more than just a friend. Saturday Night Live and I have taken our relationship to the next level, and similar to my serious relationships, we'll have one extraordinary night together and then part ways forever."
Although Styles emphasized that music was his top priority, he still found space to showcase his comedic talent, spend time with loved ones, and maintain his impeccable hairstyle. "Being here at SNL is a true delight. Its rich history is something I genuinely admire," Styles affectionately commented.
Scroll below for a look back at which stars have been both the SNL host and musical guest during the same episode:
Credit: YouTube
Dolly Parton
“Oh, it's absolutely fantastic to be here in New York. Every time I visit, I have such a wonderful time," exclaimed the sensational singer of the hit song “9 to 5” during her monologue in April 1989. "However, I must admit I was a tad bit nervous and apprehensive about coming here. You know, it's Saturday Night Live and all, and you tend to hear all sorts of things, but ... don't you folks believe that for even a second! These amazing people have gone above and beyond to make me feel like a part of their family.”
Credit: YouTube
Britney Spears
The Crossroads star, who made her show debut in May 2000, became the youngest SNL host to pull double duty at the time. In April 2022, she announced that she is expecting her third child, her first with fiancé Sam Asghari.
Credit: YouTube
Jennifer Lopez
Lopez, who reconnected with former beau Ben Affleck in April 2022 and got engaged one year later, made history in 2010 by becoming the first Latinx star to simultaneously host and perform as the musical guest multiple times.
Credit: YouTube
Justin Timberlake
In addition to being the host and musical guest three times, Timberlake is also a member of the coveted “Five Timers” hosting club.
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Ludacris
The Fast and Furious actor rapped his hits “Money Maker” and “Runaway Love” when he hosted the show in November 2006.
Credit: YouTube
Taylor Swift
In her musical monologue from November 2009, the "All Too Well" songstress expressed her fondness for glitter and sparkly dresses. However, she made it clear that she wouldn't delve into those subjects further in her monologue. Instead, she preferred to write songs about unfaithful individuals, referred to as "douchebags," without explicitly mentioning them in her monologue. The intention was to subtly shame them, making them hesitant to show their faces in public. This, she declared, was her musical monologue.
Credit: YouTube
Elton John
The “Rocketman” crooner pulled double duty in April 2011, nearly 29 years after his musical guest debut in April 1982.
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Bruno Mars
The Grammy winner belted out “Locked out of Heaven” and “Young Girls” on the show in October 2012 after completing a range of funny sketches.
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Miley Cyrus
During her October 2015 monologue, the former star of Hannah Montana humorously expressed her fondness for hosting the show. She shared, "I love hosting this show because it's live, which means my parents always know where I am for at least 90 minutes." With a playfully delayed reference, she added, "Tonight, I find myself on a seven-second delay. Not a television delay, but rather the consequence of indulging in smoking. When you smoke as much as I do, you're always on a seven-second delay. However, despite my excitement to be here, there is a touch of sadness as it signifies the official end of the summer of 2015."
Credit: YouTube
Lady Gaga
While the House of Gucci star sang on the SNL stage three separate times, she landed a coveted hosting gig in November 2013.
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Drake
The Canada native tackled double duty in January 2014 and May 2016.
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Ariana Grande
During her double duty stint in March 2016, the artist behind "Positions" crossed paths and formed a connection with her former fiancé, Pete Davidson. (Grande later tied the knot with Dalton Gomez in May 2021, while Davidson was rumored to be involved with Kim Kardashian after her appearance on SNL in October 2021.)
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Donald Glover
The Community alum starred in a variety of sketches during his May 2018 debut before crooning “Saturday” and “This Is America” under his Childish Gambino moniker.
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Harry Styles
Styles previously served as the show’s musical guest four times: twice as a member of One Direction and twice as a solo artist.
Credit: YouTube
Nick Jonas
“A dream come true. Let’s get it,” the Jonas Brothers performer gushed via Instagram in February 2021, weeks before his double duty gig.
Credit: Will Heath/NBC
Billie Eilish
During the annual holiday episode, the musician of "Bad Guy" expressed her excitement about hosting in December. She enthusiastically shared her love for Christmas and the stunning beauty of the surroundings during this time of year. Additionally, she revealed that her birthday was just a week away, making hosting even more special. Turning 20, she humorously mentioned how the internet referred to this age as "middle-aged." Despite the joke, she expressed genuine enthusiasm for aging, as she believed it allowed her to better understand her true self.
Credit: Will Heath/NBC
Lizzo
While hosting in April 2022, the “Juice” singer introduced her own musical performance.
Lizzo confessed in her monologue, "It's quite surprising that I'm feeling nervous, considering I boldly declared, 'I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100 percent that bitch.'" She then went on to disclose, "To be completely honest, I embody about 50 percent of 'that bitch,' 10 percent 'boss bitch,' and 40 percent 'flute playing, band nerd bitch.'" However, she expressed her excitement to host this particular episode and added, "Especially because I absolutely adore tonight's musical guest: Me!"
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Megan Thee Stallion
“I am beyond thrilled to be here,” exclaimed the rapper during her monologue in October 2022. “Although most of you are familiar with me as Megan Thee Stallion, those who truly know me are aware that I possess numerous aliases. Let me run through a few: Tina Snow, the Hot Girl Coach, the H-Town Hottie, and for all the individuals who display hatred towards me, well, I'm probably referred to as 'Ugh, that bitch.’”
Credit: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
Jack Harlow
The “First Class” rapper made his hosting debut during the October 29, 2022, episode of SNL, in which he was also the musical guest.
Credit: Will Heath/NBC
Bad Bunny
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During season 49 in October 2023, the rapper made his debut as the host of SNL. He took the opportunity to express his excitement in his opening monologue.
Introducing himself as Benito, Bad Bunny humorously mentioned, "I'm thrilled to be here on sábado, sorry SNL." Addressing the speculation about his ability to host the show in English due to it not being his first language, he confidently stated, "I do whatever I want. So, I can host this show in English, I can order McDonald's in English, and I can have sex in English. However, I prefer having sex in Spanish because it's better. I just have a preference for Spanish."
Bad Bunny then brought out a surprise guest, Pedro Pascal, to assist him in "translating" the rest of his opening statements.
Subsequently, Bad Bunny showcased his musical talent as the episode's featured performer, with an introduction graciously delivered by Lady Gaga.
