British singer Lily Allen’s appearance as the musical guest on NBC’s Saturday Night Live on Saturday night sparked a sharp backlash from some viewers, with social media users questioning her vocals, performance choices and overall execution during the live broadcast.
Allen was promoting her new album West End Girl, which addresses her separation from ex-husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour, without ever mentioning him by name.
Why It Matters
Saturday Night Live musical performances are closely watched by fans, critics and industry figures alike, and often drive immediate online reaction that can shape the narrative around an artist — particularly for performers re-introducing themselves to U.S. audiences.
Allen’s appearance – her second on SNL after a 2007 debut – came as she promotes new material that marks a stylistic and thematic shift from the satirical pop that first made her famous.
The London-born singer rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with hits including Smile, earning a reputation for sharp, humorous songwriting and a candid public persona. In recent years, her work has become more introspective, reflecting personal upheaval, recovery from addiction and life in the public eye.
What To Know
On Saturday’s episode of Saturday Night Live, Allen performed songs from her recent album West End Girl, including Sleepwalking and Madeline. The album has been widely described as a confessional project, exploring themes of love, vulnerability and emotional fallout following major life changes.
Allen was previously married to American actor Harbour. The pair wed in 2020 and later separated, with Allen confirming the breakup publicly. Elements of that relationship and its breakdown have been widely understood, based on Allen’s own comments in interviews, to inform aspects of her recent songwriting.
As the SNL broadcast aired, viewers took to X to share immediate reactions, many of them critical. Some criticized her live vocals, with several suggesting she sounded “off-key,” “weak,” or poorly mixed, while others questioned her stage presentation and styling.
Some posts speculated whether the performance felt under-rehearsed, while others debated whether technical issues may have played a role.
A smaller number of fans defended Allen, suggesting nerves or sound problems could have affected her delivery.
Viewers also reacted to a brief on-stage appearance by actress Dakota Johnson during Allen’s performance of her song Madeline, which drew both praise and confusion from those watching live.
What People Are Saying
Reaction to Allen’s appearance on X was swift and mostly blunt: “Not sure you can blame the mixing… Lily Allen’s live vocals (at least for SNL) are incredibly weak,” one viewer wrote.
Another said, “Glad it wasn’t just me. It was a terrible performance.”
Others expressed disappointment while still identifying as fans. “I really love Lily Allen but that was terrible… #SNL hope the next one’s better,” one post read. Another added, “I do think Lily Allen’s sound was bad and she was nervous—you could definitely see it.”
Some viewers expressed surprise at her style and delivery. “Does Lily Allen always sound like this..?” one asked, while another commented, “I like Lily Allen… but yikes. SNL tonight is not her best.”
A handful of posts praised individual moments, including the cameo. “Lily Allen having Dakota Johnson appear as Madeline for her performance was genius,” one viewer wrote.
What Happens Next
As with many SNL performances, reaction is likely to continue evolving as clips circulate beyond the live broadcast and viewers rewatch individual moments. Allen has not publicly responded to the criticism as of early Sunday, and NBC has not commented on any technical issues related to the episode.
Whether the backlash has a lasting impact may depend on how audiences respond to the new material away from the pressures of live television, and how Allen addresses the reaction as promotion for West End Girl continues.
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