Additional Coverage:
- Lily Allen’s SNL performance branded a ‘big flop’ as viewers slam her ‘terrible’ singing (themirror.com)
Lily Allen’s “SNL” Return Leaves Viewers Divided, Album Hints at Marital Woes
Pop sensation Lily Allen’s recent appearance as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” has sparked a flurry of reactions from viewers, with many left underwhelmed by her performance. The 40-year-old singer, making her second “SNL” appearance since 2007, took the stage during British actor Josh O’Connor’s hosting debut to perform “Sleepwalking” from her new album, “West End Girl.”
Dressed in lacy, silk nightwear, Allen’s performance quickly became a trending topic on social media platforms. Comments ranged from outright criticism, with one user asking, “wtf is going on with this Lily Allen performance.
Is this dress rehearsal from Thursday?” to others declaring it “a pretty big flop.”
Several viewers questioned her vocal abilities, stating, “She can’t sing” and “Glad it wasn’t just me. It was a terrible performance.”
Despite the wave of negativity, some fans came to Allen’s defense, attributing the perceived issues to technical difficulties. One person suggested, “It’s the sound mixing!
They had the music too low,” while another pondered, “Poor Lily Allen I can’t tell if this the SNL stage effect, bad sound mixing or just something else but oof. I love her too!!!
Ugh.”
Beyond the “SNL” stage, Allen’s latest album, released in October, has been garnering attention for its deeply personal lyrics, which appear to allude to her marriage to “Stranger Things” star David Harbour and even hint at infidelity.
The track “Madeline” specifically raises eyebrows, seemingly confronting a partner who violated the terms of an open marriage. Allen sings, “We had an arrangement / Be discreet and don’t be blatant / There had to be payment / It had to be with strangers / But you’re not a stranger, Madeline.”
Further tracks on the album, such as “Dallas Major,” continue to explore themes of cheating and extramarital affairs. In this song, Allen suggests that her open marriage was a response to her husband’s prior infidelity, stating, “Yes, I’m here for validation and I probably should explain / How my marriage has been open since my husband went astray.”
“Sleepwalking,” the very song performed on “SNL,” also delves into the pain of betrayal. The lyrics express profound hurt and anger: “Course I’m angry, course I’m hurt / Looking back at it’s so absurd / Course I trusted you and took you at your worst (At your worst) / Who said romance isn’t dead?
Been no romance since we wed / “Why aren’t we f—ing baby?” Yeah that’s what you said / But you let me think it was me in my head /And nothing to do with them girls in your bed.”
Allen and Harbour were first romantically linked in January 2019, seemingly confirming their relationship in October of the same year. They married in Las Vegas in September 2020, but reports of their separation emerged in early 2025.