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What To Know
- Social feeds filled quickly as viewers reacted to the look, the monologue, and the rare pairing of Grande and Cher on the same episode.
- Page Six reported that Grande wore her hair in a slicked back bun for the opening look, keeping the focus on the structure of the dress.
- Grande opened the show wearing a strapless archival Vivienne Westwood gown, immediately setting the tone for a night focused on music, fashion, and legacy moments.
Ariana Grande hosts Saturday Night Live’s holiday episode in archival Vivienne Westwood as Cher returns to the SNL stage
Ariana Grande returned to Saturday Night Live on December 21, 2025, for a holiday episode that dominated pop culture conversations across the United States and Dubai. The episode marked her third time hosting the long running NBC sketch series and placed her center stage during one of the most watched weekends of the season. Grande opened the show wearing a strapless archival Vivienne Westwood gown, immediately setting the tone for a night focused on music, fashion, and legacy moments. Social feeds filled quickly as viewers reacted to the look, the monologue, and the rare pairing of Grande and Cher on the same episode.
Ariana Grande Returns to Studio 8H
Grande hosted the holiday broadcast from Studio 8H at Rockefeller Center, continuing her long relationship with the show after previous hosting appearances in 2016. Her opening monologue featured a musical parody of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” performed live in front of a festive set filled with seasonal décor. The performance leaned into Grande’s background in both music and comedy, two elements that have defined her history with the show. NBC confirmed the episode as part of Saturday Night Live’s 51st season holiday programming.
The Vivienne Westwood Gown Moment
The archival Vivienne Westwood gown worn by Grande quickly became one of the most discussed fashion moments of the weekend. Styled by Law Roach, the strapless silver gown referenced Westwood’s historic design language while fitting seamlessly into the holiday theme of the episode. Page Six reported that Grande wore her hair in a slicked back bun for the opening look, keeping the focus on the structure of the dress. The appearance followed a broader fashion trend that has seen younger stars choose archival designer pieces for major cultural moments.
Cher’s Rare Musical Guest Appearance
Cher served as the musical guest for the episode, marking her first full performance on Saturday Night Live since November 1987. Her appearance followed a brief cameo on Weekend Update in 1992 and participation in the show’s fiftieth anniversary concert in 2024. The episode marked a rare moment where two artists from different generations shared the same SNL stage during a holiday broadcast. Anticipation grew ahead of the episode as viewers speculated about possible interactions between Grande and Cher during the night.
Lead Up to the Holiday Broadcast
Earlier that week, Grande was spotted in Midtown Manhattan dining with Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels. The outing took place days ahead of the broadcast and immediately caught attention online due to Grande’s oversized white coat, which stood out during New York’s winter weather. The sighting added momentum to online discussions leading into the episode. Grande also appeared fresh from promotional appearances tied to her film “Wicked: For Good,” which remained part of her public schedule during the same period.
Ariana Grande’s return to Saturday Night Live delivered a holiday episode that traveled far beyond Studio 8H, reaching audiences from New York to Dubai in real time. The archival Vivienne Westwood gown, the musical monologue, and Cher’s rare performance combined into a broadcast that dominated entertainment timelines throughout the weekend. The episode reinforced Grande’s ongoing presence in music, film, and television while placing Saturday Night Live at the center of late December pop culture. As the season continues, this holiday broadcast already stands among the most talked about moments of the year.
