5 Jaw-Dropping Moments From Charli XCX's SNL History: From 'Brat' Host To Surprise Cameos
Charli XCX: Full Biography and Profile
Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is a highly influential British singer, songwriter, and director who pioneered the hyper-pop movement and has consistently challenged mainstream pop conventions.
- Full Name: Charlotte Emma Aitchison
- Stage Name: Charli XCX
- Date of Birth: August 2, 1992
- Place of Birth: Cambridge, England
- Origin: Raised in Start Hill, Essex, England
- Career Start: Began posting songs on Myspace in 2008.
- Musical Style: Electro-pop, hyper-pop, synth-pop, avant-pop.
- Breakthrough Hits: "I Love It" (Icona Pop feature), "Fancy" (Iggy Azalea feature), "Boom Clap."
- Key Albums: True Romance (2013), Sucker (2014), Charli (2019), How I'm Feeling Now (2020), Crash (2022), BRAT (2024).
- Recent Achievements: Hosting and performing on SNL (November 16, 2024), Grammy nominations, and critical acclaim for the *BRAT* album.
The Triumphant Double-Duty Debut: Host and 'Brat' Performer (November 16, 2024)
Charli XCX’s most recent and significant SNL appearance was on November 16, 2024, for Season 50, Episode 7, where she took on the demanding role of both host and musical guest. This was a monumental moment for the artist, allowing her to fully showcase her comedic timing and her latest musical direction.
Performance Highlights and 'Brat' Era Aesthetics
The performances were highly stylized, perfectly capturing the minimalist, raw aesthetic of her critically acclaimed 2024 album, *BRAT*.
- "360": Her first performance was a high-energy rendition of the viral single "360." It was introduced by a surprise appearance from the song's muse, actress and internet personality Julia Fox, adding a layer of meta-commentary that delighted fans. The set design was stark and industrial, focusing all attention on Charli XCX's powerful stage presence.
- "Sympathy is a knife": The second performance was a more emotionally charged, intimate take on "Sympathy is a knife." This performance demonstrated her vocal range and vulnerability, a powerful counterpoint to the aggressive energy of "360."
Sketches and Monologue: Embracing the 'Brat' Persona
In her monologue, Charli XCX humorously attempted to explain the meaning of "BRAT" to the SNL audience, even featuring a cameo from cast member Kyle Mooney who tried to figure out if he was a "BRAT." She seamlessly integrated into the cast for several sketches, including one parodying celebrity auditions for the movie *Wicked* and another featuring cast member Marcello Hernández. Her willingness to lean into self-parody and internet culture made the episode feel incredibly fresh and relevant to a younger audience.
The Viral 'Sally' Cameo and Taylor Swift Speculation (October 11, 2025)
Before her hosting debut, Charli XCX had a surprise cameo that became an immediate social media sensation. On October 11, 2025, during Season 51, Episode 2, hosted by Amy Poehler, Charli XCX unexpectedly joined musical guest Role Model on stage.
She appeared as the character "Sally" during Role Model's performance of his song "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out" from his deluxe album, *Kansas Anymore*. The surprise was a massive hit, but it was the fashion choice that sparked the biggest online debate.
The Kansas City T-Shirt 'Controversy'
During the cameo, Charli XCX was wearing a Kansas City-themed T-shirt. Fans immediately jumped on this, speculating it was a subtle "clapback" or shade directed at pop superstar Taylor Swift, who is famously associated with the Kansas City Chiefs due to her relationship with Travis Kelce. While Charli XCX and Taylor Swift have collaborated in the past (Charli XCX opened for Swift's *Reputation* Stadium Tour), the internet's appetite for a pop feud turned a simple T-shirt into a major talking point. Charli XCX, however, has often worn vintage or band tees, suggesting the speculation was likely just a fun internet rumor, though she never explicitly denied the theory, adding to the mystique.
The Canceled Appearance and The *Crash* Era Performances
Charli XCX's SNL history also includes a notable cancellation and a successful return during her *Crash* album cycle, highlighting the unpredictable nature of her career path.
The Omicron Cancellation (December 2021)
Charli XCX was scheduled to perform as the musical guest on the December 18, 2021, episode. Unfortunately, due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in New York City, the episode was dramatically scaled back. The show proceeded with a limited cast and no live audience, leading to the cancellation of Charli XCX's planned performances of "Good Ones" and "New Shapes." This disappointment only fueled fan desire for her eventual return.
The *Crash* Era Return (March 12, 2022)
She finally made her long-awaited return as a musical guest on March 12, 2022, to promote her fifth studio album, *Crash*. Her performances were a vibrant, polished contrast to her later *BRAT* aesthetic, featuring:
- "Beg for You"
- "Baby"
This appearance was a successful showcase of her more mainstream, 80s-inspired pop sound from the *Crash* album, proving her versatility as a performer.
Charli XCX's Impact on SNL and Pop Culture
Charli XCX's multiple SNL appearances, particularly her double-duty hosting gig, have cemented her as a pivotal figure in modern pop culture. The segments, including the hilarious Bowen Yang parody of her as a talk show host, "The Talk Talk Show with Charli XCX," demonstrate her influence and the cast's appreciation for her unique style. By bringing the raw, unfiltered energy of the *BRAT* album, the aesthetics of the hyper-pop and avant-pop genres, and her authentic internet persona to a mainstream platform like SNL, Charli XCX has not only delivered unforgettable television but has also validated a new era of pop stardom.
Her ability to navigate mainstream success while maintaining her experimental edge—from the canceled performances due to the Omicron variant to the viral Kansas City T-shirt moment—makes her SNL history a perfect microcosm of her unpredictable and captivating career.
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