A Saturday Night Live comedian has apologized for kissing Ariana Grande “too much” during her performance.
The 31-year-old took to the stage on the iconic comedy show as host for the second time, drawing in one of the biggest audiences since 2021 when Elon Musk made an appearance for the role alongside musical guest Miley Cyrus.
A total of 5.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the ‘One Last Time’ singer morph into various characters, including a woman named Diane who was seemingly offended over a bit of smack-talk over a game of charades.
Her co-stars, Andrew Dismukes, Michael Longfellow, and Bowen Yang also appeared alongside Grande for the skit, but one part became a hot talking point for them after the episode had premiered.
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In the segment, Yang’s character, Josh, calls out Diane for her antics after they get into a physical fight but in a strange turn of events, their heated exchange turns into a moment of passion and they share a kiss – one that left Grande “shaking.”
Have a look at the full skit below:
@nbcsnlomg mom♬ original sound – Saturday Night Live – SNL
Looking back at the episode on his Las Culturistas podcast with co-host Matt Rogers, Bowen said he felt he overstepped his mark during the intimate moment and apologized to the musician.
“I really have to apologize to you in person,” Yang told Grande on Wednesday’s episode. “I opened up my mouth too much when we kissed on SNL.”
“You absolutely did,” Grande replied. “I was shaking after. Not in a bad way. Just in a disarming way.”
“I’m so sorry. I kissed you too much,” Yang added.
However, Grande, who also stars alongside the comedian in the upcoming movie-musical Wicked, said that it worked for the characters they were playing.
“It felt like what these people needed at that time,” she explained. “It felt like what these characters required. I’m all for it.”
She continued: “When we rehearsed it, [I had] a little thought in my head. I didn’t say anything because I was like, ‘Everyone’s going to think I’m absolutely insane and too comfortable.’ But I [thought to myself]: ‘How funny would it be if we kissed at the end?'”
Bowen was also on the same page, it seems.
“And then Bowen texts me a few hours later, [saying]: ‘It’s totally fine, if this is way too crazy, but we were talking and thought it would be so funny if we kissed at the end,'” Grande recalled. “And I was like: ‘Wow, I was thinking that.'”
Elsewhere, the star also opened up about her excitement to be back on the show.
“I had the time of my life,” Grande said. “I would have done it right after we finished at 1AM again. I really love being there. I love every single person there. I just had the loveliest, best time with everyone.
“When it comes to doing big, exciting things, sometimes it can become a scary, daunting thing. But if you hold onto excitement and gratitude and let that fuel the entire experience, it can really change the tone of everything,” she added.
Grande’s recent SNL episode is available to watch now.
