Ariana Grande showed up to Saturday Night Live ready to crack jokes—and possibly eardrums—as the night’s guest host. And let’s just say: hilarity ensued. Not only did she leave the audience in stitches, but her boyfriend Ethan Slater practically combusted over one of the night’s most ridiculous sketches.
Let’s talk about the show-stealer: Castrati. Yeah, you heard that right. Ariana plays a boy who—brace yourself—got castrated to keep his voice so high-pitched that even glass trembles in fear. Why? Obviously to serenade a prince with some vocal acrobatics. (As one does.) The sketch also featured the comedic dream team of Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg as parents who, in true SNL fashion, seemed disturbingly proud of their son’s… er… life choices. Parenting win? Questionable. Comedy win? Absolutely.
But the real star of the night was “Little Antonio”—Ariana’s squeaky character, whose falsetto could probably summon dogs from space. Backstage, her bestie Elizabeth Gillies was documenting everything like a proud mom at a talent show. She shared clips and behind-the-scenes moments on social media, including a video of Antonio that defied description. “Congratulations on another incredible SNL, my Dingus. And Little Antonio— I have no words,” Elizabeth wrote, possibly while choking back tears of laughter (or confusion).
Enter: Ethan Slater. The boyfriend-slash-cheerleader wasted no time sliding into the comments section with an instant classic:
“Live, Laugh, Little Antonio.”
Yes, we are officially getting that on a throw pillow.
The fun didn’t stop there—because what’s a night of absurd sketches without an equally absurd afterparty? Ariana and Ethan were spotted cozying up at L’Avenue at Saks, proving that a night of comedy and castrati is apparently the perfect aphrodisiac.
Ariana slayed SNL. Ethan Slater is one comment away from being crowned the King of Instagram Boyfriends. And Little Antonio? Well, he’s probably still hitting notes that only bats can hear.
