Olivia Rodrigo may have spoken too soon when she compared herself to a “glorified assistant” behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live, on which she’ll soon make her hosting debut.
In a hilarious promo video posted Wednesday (April 29) — three days ahead of the Rodrigo-helmed episode’s airdate — the Grammy winner walks with cast members Andrew Dismukes and Jane Wickline through the halls of 30 Rock and rebukes the idea that this week on SNL is “all about” her.
“I really just want to help you guys make the best show possible,” she tells the comedians. “No, really, I work for you guys this week. Think of me as your glorified assistant.”
That’s when the mood suddenly shifts with the arrival of James Austin Johnson, who struts into frame in a fashionable blazer and silver pixie cut — looking exactly like Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, formidable magazine editor Miranda Priestly. When Johnson calls Rodrigo out for snickering at his demeanor, she says, “It’s just my first time hosting, so I’m still learning about all these skits.”
“These skits?” he replies incredulously before launching into a parody version of Streep’s iconic “cerulean sweater” monologue in the 2006 Devil Wears Prada film. “I find it sort of comical that you think these ‘skits’ have nothing to do with you when in fact your entire career has been turned into sketches by the people in this very room,” he concludes after a long-winded speech.
Fortunately for the singer, Tommy Brennan then barges in to announce that SNL‘s real heavyweight — creator Lorne Michaels — has entered the building. “Crap! Please don’t tell Lorne about this,” Johnson says, immediately breaking character and running away from the scene.
The spoof comes at the perfect time, as a Devil Wears Prada sequel starring Streep — as well as Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all reprising their roles from the first film — is set to hit theaters on Friday (May 1). The next day, Rodrigo will host SNL for the first time as well as serve as musical guest. Her new album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love drops in June, meaning it’s a good bet that she’ll play her Billboard Hot 100-topping lead single “Drop Dead” on the program.
Watch Rodrigo’s Devil Wears Prada-inspired promo for SNL above.
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