So, Ariana Grande went on Saturday Night Live and decided to sing one of the biggest pop songs of the decade completely off-key. If you haven't seen the Ariana Grande SNL Espresso moment yet, you're basically missing out on the precise second that 2024 internet culture peaked.
It wasn't just a cover. It was a chaotic, high-energy bridesmaid speech that turned Sabrina Carpenter’s "Espresso" into a confession of infidelity involving a man named Domingo.
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Honestly, it’s rare to see a vocalist of Ariana’s caliber—we're talking about a woman with a four-octave range—work that hard to sound that bad. But that was the point. The "Bridesmaid Speech" sketch didn't just parody a song; it captured the specific brand of unhinged energy found only at bachelorette parties in Charleston.
What Actually Happened in the Bridesmaid Speech?
The setup is a classic SNL trope: a wedding reception. Chloe Fineman plays the bride, Kelsey, and Andrew Dismukes is the increasingly concerned groom, Matthew. Then come the bridesmaids. Ariana Grande, playing Kelsey's half-sister, leads a group including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, and Sarah Sherman.
They aren't there to give a touching toast. They’re there to perform.
As soon as the "Espresso" beat drops, the vibe shifts. The lyrics start out innocent enough, talking about a trip to Charleston. But then, the story takes a turn. The bridesmaids start singing about "Domingo."
"Now she’s with a hot guy... but he looks gay. Heard his name is Domingo."
The "Ariana Grande SNL Espresso" performance basically evolves into a play-by-play of the bride cheating on her new husband. The bridesmaids aren't even trying to hide it; they're celebrating it. When Matthew asks if the point of the song is just that his wife cheated on him, the bridesmaids snap back with the iconic line: "No, the point is, it's Espresso!"
The Legend of Domingo
The sketch wouldn't have reached legendary status without Marcello Hernández appearing as Domingo. He literally walks out during the song to deliver his own verse, confirming the hookup while the bridesmaids harmoniously (well, "harmoniously") back him up.
The writing here is sharp. It taps into that specific type of "girl's girl" loyalty that is actually just incredibly toxic to everyone else involved.
Ariana’s commitment to the character is what makes it work. She has this dead-eyed, intense stare as she forces herself to sing flat. Fans of both Ariana and Sabrina Carpenter immediately flooded social media. Even Sabrina herself weighed in on Instagram, jokingly calling the performance "very nice and on pitch." Ariana's response? "tysm we tried."
Why this specific sketch went viral
- Vocal Irony: Hearing a generational talent like Ariana Grande intentionally miss notes is objectively funny.
- The Song Choice: "Espresso" was the undisputed song of the summer. Using it in October 2024 felt like the perfect "end of season" tribute.
- Marcello Hernández: His "Domingo" character became an instant fan favorite, eventually leading to a sequel sketch with Charli XCX later in the season.
How Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter’s Worlds Collided
There’s a bit of a meta-narrative here. Ariana and Sabrina are both pop powerhouses, and seeing one parody the other in a way that feels like a "wink and a nod" rather than a "dig" is exactly what fans want. It’s a contrast to the usual pop-star-rivalry narratives.
In the sketch, the bridesmaids mention that they "didn't go to Vegas" and instead hit up Charleston. This is a subtle nod to the "basic" bachelorette culture that often adopts these high-gloss pop anthems as their personal soundtracks. When Ariana sings about "googling Domingo at the Marriott," she’s playing a character we all recognize from our Instagram feeds.
It’s worth noting that Ariana didn't just stop at the Espresso parody that night. She also did a pitch-perfect Jennifer Coolidge impression and a Celine Dion UFC promo that was equally unhinged. But the "Ariana Grande SNL Espresso" moment is the one that stayed in the cultural zeitgeist the longest.
The Technical Difficulty "Safe Room"
If you’re a deep-cut SNL fan, you might remember there was another "Espresso" related bit that didn't make the live broadcast but appeared online later. The "Espresso Martini Safe Room" sketch features Ariana and Maya Rudolph, leaning into the "danger" of the caffeine-and-vodka combo.
While the "Bridesmaid Speech" was the big hit, these smaller moments show just how much the writers wanted to lean into the "Espresso" phenomenon during Ariana's hosting week.
Beyond the Laughs: Actionable Takeaways for Pop Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into why this worked or want to recreate the "Domingo" magic at your next event (maybe don't admit to cheating, though), here’s what you should know:
- Watch the "Domingo" sequel: If you liked the "Ariana Grande SNL Espresso" sketch, you have to find the babymoon sketch featuring Charli XCX. It continues the Domingo saga and parodies Chappell Roan’s "HOT TO GO!"
- Check out the "Cut for Time" clips: SNL’s YouTube channel often hosts the bits that were too weird or too long for the live show. The Ariana-Cher-Espresso Martini crossover content is gold.
- Vocal Technique: Aspiring singers should actually study how Ariana sings off-key. It requires a lot of ear training to consistently hit the wrong notes while staying in the rhythm of the track.
The Ariana Grande SNL Espresso sketch wasn't just a funny five minutes of television. It was a crossover event that bridged the gap between Broadway-level talent and TikTok-era humor. It reminded everyone that Ariana isn't just a singer; she's one of the few celebrities who truly "gets" the joke.
Keep an eye on future episodes of SNL—Domingo has a habit of showing up when you least expect him. Usually right when the beat drops.
To stay updated on the latest celebrity crossovers and viral SNL moments, keep a close watch on the official NBC social channels where they often drop "behind the scenes" rehearsal footage of these musical parodies. Learning the "Espresso" choreography (even the purposefully bad version) is a great way to liven up your next karaoke night. Just make sure your "Matthew" has a good sense of humor first.