Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Will Heath/NBC
Bowen Yang got a little too comfortable during an intimate moment with his friend Ariana Grande when she hosted Saturday Night Live in a memorable October episode.
Grande, 31, stepped into the role of host on the October 13 episode of the iconic variety show, where she and Yang, 34 — both of whom are set to dazzle audiences in the much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked — appeared together in a hilarious sketch that called for a comedic kiss.
“I really have to apologize to you in person,” Yang confided to Grande during the Wednesday, November 6, episode of his “Las Culturistas” podcast. “I opened up my mouth too much when we kissed on SNL.”
In the sketch, Grande took on the role of Diane, the ultra-competitive mother of Yang’s character’s boyfriend, portrayed by Michael Longfellow. When Yang’s character, Josh, finally stood up to Diane’s antics, the two shared a passionate kiss that sent the studio audience into a frenzy of applause and laughter.
Related: Ariana Grande and ‘Wicked’ Costar Bowen Yang Sing, Fight and Kiss on ‘SNL’
Wicked costars Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang showcased the depth of their friendship during the Saturday, October 12, episode of Saturday Night Live. Grande, 31, made her return as host — her second time emceeing the show since her debut in 2016 — delighting audiences with her remarkable chemistry with Yang, 33.
“You absolutely did,” Grande told Yang with a laugh. “I was shaking after. Not in a bad way. Just in a disarming way.”
Yang laughed heartily and replied, “I’m so sorry.”
“I kissed you too much,” he candidly admitted, reflecting on the unexpected closeness they shared during the sketch.
Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ NBC
Grande, who contributed to the writing of the sketch and modeled Diane on her own mother, Joan, embraced the playful spontaneity of the onscreen moment.
“It felt like what these characters required,” she stated confidently. “I’m all for it.”
Interestingly, the kiss was not initially scripted but emerged organically during their rehearsal; Grande recalled having a fleeting idea about it.
“When we rehearsed it, [I had] a little thought in my head,” Grande explained. “I didn’t say anything because I was like, ‘Everyone’s going to think I’m absolutely insane and too comfortable.’ But I [thought to myself], ‘How funny would it be if we kissed at the end?’”
Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande. Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
It turned out that fate had aligned perfectly, as Yang shared the same whimsical thought.
“And then Bowen texts me a few hours later, ‘It’s totally fine, if this is way too crazy, but we were talking and thought it would be so funny if we kissed at the end,’” Grande recounted with a mix of disbelief and joy. “And I was like, ‘Wow, I was thinking that.’”
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Grande, hosting SNL for the second time after her initial appearance in 2016, expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to return to the iconic 30 Rock stage.
“I had the time of my life,” she gushed exuberantly. “I really love being there. I love every single person there.”
Grande emphasized the importance of positivity in the face of performance pressures: “If you hold onto excitement and gratitude and let that fuel the entire experience, it can really change the tone of everything.”
The sketch’s hilarious energy, has been noted for her ability to seamlessly blend her singing talent with comedic timing. In the aftermath of their memorable moment, we had the opportunity to chat with Grande and Yang about the experience and their upcoming projects.
**Interviewer**: Ariana, Bowen, thanks for joining us! Your sketch on *Saturday Night Live* was a hit. How did it feel to be back on the SNL stage, Ariana?
**Ariana Grande**: Thank you for having us! It felt amazing to be back. Hosting SNL is always such a rush. Getting to work with Bowen made it even more special. We had a lot of fun!
**Bowen Yang**: Absolutely! I mean, it’s always a wild ride, but there’s something about returning that hits differently. Plus, our dynamic just brings an extra layer of hilarity to the sketches.
**Interviewer**: Bowen, during your podcast, you mentioned feeling a bit too comfortable during the kiss scene. Can you tell us more about that?
**Bowen Yang**: (laughs) Yeah, I think I got a little carried away! It was supposed to be funny, and we were both in character, but I definitely opened my mouth a little too much. Ariana’s reaction was priceless, though!
**Ariana Grande**: I was definitely shaking after the sketch! Not in a bad way, just a little disarmed. It was all in good fun! We trust each other a lot, which made the scene flow seamlessly.
**Interviewer**: Your chemistry was palpable. How did it feel being so connected onstage?
**Ariana Grande**: It just felt natural. When you have a good friend to work with, it really helps bring the humor to life. Plus, Bowen is incredibly talented and brings so much to every moment.
**Bowen Yang**: I couldn’t agree more. It’s all about having fun and being in the moment. The audience’s reaction really pushed us to lean into it even more.
**Interviewer**: You both are set to appear in the *Wicked* film adaptation. How does your *SNL* experience play into your chemistry for that project?
**Bowen Yang**: I think it just strengthens it. We’ve already established a fun rapport, and doing sketches like that helps us understand each other’s comedic styles better.
**Ariana Grande**: Yeah, and I think it sets a great foundation for the film. We’re both really excited for *Wicked*, and now we have even more shared experiences to draw from.
**Interviewer**: Exciting times ahead! Thank you both for your time today. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
**Ariana Grande & Bowen Yang**: Thank you! We can’t wait either!
