Lady Gaga took center stage on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, serving as both host and musical guest to celebrate the release of her new album, Mayhem. And she didn’t waste any time addressing the elephant in the room—Joker: Folie à Deux, her latest film, had bombed at the box office and just picked up two Razzie Awards. Gaga, who starred as Harleen “Lee” Quinzel alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, joked about the film’s lackluster reception during her monologue. The October release divided critics and struggled commercially, ultimately landing seven Razzie nominations and winning two—including Worst Onscreen Duo for her and Phoenix.
Gaga’s Jokes
Rather than shy away from the film’s failure, Gaga leaned into the joke. “Apparently, people thought Joker 2 was amazing,” she said with a smirk. “Joaquin and I even got nominated for a Razzie, which, if you don’t know, is an award for the worst films of the year. And guess what? We won Worst Onscreen Duo!”
She then shrugged it off in true Gaga fashion: “But jokes on them. I love winning things. My Razzie brings me one step closer to an EGORT. It’s like an EGOT, but, you know, more painful.” And if fans were hoping for a Joker 3, she quickly put that idea to rest: “Tonight, I promise to act, to sing, and to never do Joker 3.”
A Long-Awaited Return To SNL
This marked Gaga’s first time hosting SNL since 2013, and she wasted no time reminding audiences of her range. “I know you probably think I’m here to promote my album, Mayhem,” she teased, “but actually, I’m here to remind you that I’m an amazing actor.” She also poked fun at her age in the music industry. “The last time I hosted, I was 27. Now I’m 38, which, scientifically, is the best age for a female pop star. I mean, look at the industry—Chappell Roan is 58. Charli XCX is 75. Tate McRae? My biological grandmother.”
Then, in a moment of self-awareness, she made a not-so-subtle reference to her controversial past collaboration with R. Kelly on Do What U Want, which she performed during her last SNL appearance. “The last time I hosted was in 2013, and every aspect of my performance aged perfectly. So, no need to Google ‘SNL 2013, Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly.’ Let’s just leave that in the past.”
Showcasing Mayhem
As the night’s musical guest, Gaga performed two tracks from her new album: Killah and Abracadabra. Mayhem marks her first album of original material since 2020’s Chromatica. Fans have been buzzing about a possible collaboration with Taylor Swift on the track How Bad Do U Want Me, though neither Gaga nor Swift have commented on the speculation.
While some listeners are convinced it’s Swift’s voice, others have shut down the theory, leading to heated debates online. One thing’s for sure—whether she’s acting, singing, or cracking jokes, Lady Gaga knows how to keep people talking.