Lily Allen made a bold return to the Saturday Night Live stage this weekend, her first time as the musical guest in 18 years.
The performance took a theatrical turn when actress Dakota Johnson made a surprise cameo to help bring Lily Allen’s new music to life.
During her second set, Lily Allen performed "Madeline," a provocative track from her latest album, West End Girl.
The song tells the story of a woman confronting her partner’s mistress. For most of the performance, a mysterious figure remained hidden behind a sheer curtain on a bedroom-style set.
As the song reached its spoken-word outro, Dakota Johnson revealed herself as the voice of "Madeline."
She delivered a series of cutting lines, portraying the other woman’s perspective. "He told me that you were aware this was going on and that he had your full consent," Dakota Johnson recited.
She finished by stepping out from behind the curtain to embrace Lily Allen and plant a kiss on her cheek.
The performance has sparked significant conversation because West End Girl is heavily inspired by Lily Allen’s recent divorce from Stranger Things star David Harbour.
Lily Allen has described the album as "autofiction," blending real events from her marriage with fictional elements.
Earlier in the night, Lily Allen performed "Sleepwalking," another track that alludes to the breakdown of her relationship.
Dressed in silk nightwear, she sang about the confusion and lack of romance leading up to her split.
Social media users praised the collaboration between the singer and the Fifty Shades of Grey actress.
Many called the performance "haunting" and "bold," noting that Dakota Johnson’s presence added a powerful layer of solidarity to the set.
The episode, hosted by actor Josh O'Connor, concluded with both stars smiling and embracing during the final credits.