Lily Allen Returns to SNL with a Bold Sleepwalking Performance and a Surprising Dakota Johnson Cameo, Debuting West End Girl
In a memorable Saturday Night Live moment, Lily Allen took the stage as the musical guest for the first time since 2007, delivering a live rendition of Sleepwalking from her newly released album West End Girl. The appearance also featured a standout moment: Dakota Johnson joined Allen on stage to portray the mistress in the track’s narrative-driven skit. Additionally, Allen appeared in a self-referential sketch centered on the album’s title track, West End Girl, adding a playful meta layer to the night.
This episode marked a notable entry in SNL’s 51st season, joining a lineup that has included performers such as Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Brandi Carlile, Olivia Dean, and Dijon. Host Bad Bunny led the season premiere, setting a high-energy tone for the year. Looking ahead, next week’s finale for the calendar year will feature Ariana Grande hosting for the second time in as many years, with Cher serving as the musical guest.
Context and touring info: Allen announced West End Girl with less than a week’s notice in October and subsequently revealed a tour that will bring the album to audiences across the United Kingdom and North America in the coming year.
Read Pitchfork’s review of West End Girl for more context on the record and its reception.
About the author: Walden Green—Pitchfork staff writer and cultural critic, a University of Pennsylvania alum, with bylines in Dirt, The Fader, and Philadelphia. He resides in New York.
Would you like this rewritten version tailored for a specific publication voice (more formal, more casual, or more provocative), or adjusted for a particular audience (general listeners, industry insiders, or fans of Lily Allen)?
