Lady Gaga Adds Glamour and Chaos to SNL Stage with "Mayhem"
Lady Gaga stirred up excitement at 30 Rock, marking the debut of her seventh album, “Mayhem,” with a captivating double performance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) as both host and musical guest on March 8. The 38-year-old pop sensation and actress delivered an enthusiastic combination of comedy and music just one day post-release.
Gaga kicked off the evening with a witty monologue, playfully teasing her role in “Joker: Folie à Deux,” while humorously recalling her initial SNL hosting gig in 2013, which famously featured an appearance by the currently imprisoned R. Kelly. As the night unfolded with a medley of comedic sketches, the spotlight shifted to her powerhouse performances, as the 14-time Grammy Award winner mesmerized the audience with tracks from her eagerly awaited album.
She commenced her musical showcase with a dazzlingly choreographed rendition of the dance-pop track “Abracadabra.” Dressed in a glittering red outfit, Gaga was surrounded by dancers in matching black costumes, adorned with flowing red wigs, and performed within a small neon-lit setting. Next came “Killah,” a funk-inspired tune, beginning behind the scenes at Studio 8H and moving to the main stage for an exhilarating, colorful dance party with live band accompaniment. The number ended with a fiery crescendo, as Gaga turned up the heat beside the drum kit.
This appearance on SNL marked more than a decade since Gaga first took on the hosting role in 2013.
“Mayhem” arrives following a notable 2025 for Gaga, highlighted by her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks—her longest spell since her 2011 hit “Born This Way.” This partnership also bagged a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Mars.
The latest album “Mayhem” showcases an eclectic mix of production talents, including Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gaga’s fiancé, Michael Polansky. In a chat with Billboard, she delved into the creation of “Mayhem,” revealing that its deliberately chaotic theme was part of the artistic intent.