On December 20, 2025, Ariana Grande hosted the midseason finale of Saturday Night Live (SNL), marking her third appearance as host. The episode was particularly significant as it featured the farewell of cast member Bowen Yang, who announced his departure from the show. The evening was further elevated by a special musical performance from the legendary Cher.
Grande's opening monologue included a humorous parody of Mariah Carey's iconic holiday song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which she performed alongside Yang. This segment not only showcased Grande's comedic talents but also paid homage to classic holiday music. Throughout the episode, Grande participated in various sketches, demonstrating her versatility and comedic timing.
A standout moment of the night was Yang's emotional farewell sketch. In this heartfelt segment, Yang expressed his gratitude to the SNL cast and crew, with Grande and Cher joining him on stage to bid him a touching goodbye. This marked the end of Yang's notable tenure on the show, leaving fans and colleagues moved by the sincere send-off.
The episode also featured Cher's powerful musical performances, adding to the night's memorable moments. Her presence, combined with Grande's hosting and Yang's farewell, made this SNL episode a significant event in the show's history.
Grande's hosting duties on SNL come amid a busy period in her career. She recently starred as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked: For Good, released earlier this month. Additionally, she has been actively promoting her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, which includes the short film Brighter Days Ahead. Fans are also anticipating her upcoming Eternal Sunshine Tour, set to commence in 2026.
The combination of Grande's hosting, Yang's departure, and Cher's performance contributed to a night filled with emotion, humor, and musical excellence, making it a standout episode in SNL's 2025 season.