Sabrina Carpenter proved she’s not just a rising star, but a full-on showstopper, at SNL’s 50th Anniversary afterparty on Sunday, Feb. 16. The “Espresso” singer, 25, lit up the stage at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, delivering memorable renditions of classic hits from legends like The Rolling Stones, Etta James, and Madonna.
After dazzling guests in a glittery gown earlier in the evening, Carpenter swapped into a chic white mini-dress paired with a fur shrug. She then took to the stage for an unforgettable performance that had the star-studded crowd on their feet. A viral TikTok video captured the moment as Dave Chappelle sat by her side, enjoying a smoke while she belted out “Miss You” by The Rolling Stones, backed by a live band.
But it wasn’t just rock classics that Carpenter tackled. Clips from fans posted on X show her leading a lively crowd singalong to Madonna’s iconic “Like a Virgin,” proving she could effortlessly channel the energy of both pop and rock royalty.
The evening took a more soulful turn when Carpenter slowed things down to sing Etta James’ timeless “At Last.” Joined on stage by actresses Jenna Ortega, Emma Stone, and Kristen Wiig, Carpenter rallied the ladies into the performance with her signature enthusiasm, saying, “I need my beautiful, incredible women on stage right now.” As she dropped to her knees to pour her heart into the song, the crowd swayed along, captivated by the raw emotion she brought to the stage.
The afterparty performance followed Carpenter’s appearance earlier in the evening, where she joined music legend Paul Simon, 83, to kick off the SNL 50th anniversary special with a stripped-back version of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound.” Although Simon has been a fixture on SNL since the 1970s, this was Carpenter’s second appearance on the iconic show after her May 2024 debut.
In a fun exchange before their performance, Carpenter joked about the generational gap, saying she and her parents hadn’t been born when Simon performed “Homeward Bound” with George Harrison in 1976. Simon quipped, “Well, I’m glad they’ll get the chance to hear it tonight,” before the two shared a special version of the 1966 classic.
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