Weekend Update showcased SNL cast member Jane Wickline delivering a hilarious musical number on December 14, portraying Sabrina Carpenter. In this comedic performance, Wickline humorously referenced well-known pop icons like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, both of whom often find themselves at the center of public speculation regarding their sexual orientations. Interestingly, Carpenter hasn’t been a significant figure in this particular gossip landscape. Throughout the sketch, Wickline depicted the “Taste” singer as feeling isolated from the rampant discussion surrounding her peers’ romantic lives.

Wickline cleverly introduced her performance by stating, “Many internet users love to spread sensational rumors about whether pop stars are gay. So, I present my new song titled ‘When Will Even One Person Do That About Me?’” This witty prelude set the stage for a parody that imagined Carpenter’s potential thoughts on the ongoing speculation and the often bizarre narratives that surround celebrity relationships.

While the song may not have sounded like a typical hit from Carpenter herself, Wickline humorously noted, “I can’t look or sound like her; she’s utterly flawless.” However, she confidently claimed, “For the sake of this performance, I am embodying her.” This playful assertion allowed Wickline to explore the absurdity of celebrity culture and the expectations placed on artists, particularly regarding their public personas and romantic entanglements.

With a catchy tune, Wickline sang, “Taylor Swift sings about a crush on her best friend/ And you all cry ‘lesbian’ because she didn’t phrase it ‘my boy best friend,’” while performing in front of a keyboard. This line highlighted how the audience often misinterprets lyrics and projects their narratives onto artists, especially when it comes to questioning their sexual orientation.

In another verse, Wickline, channeling Carpenter, quipped, “In a music video, I make out with Jenna Ortega/ No one doubts me at all when I say this is a metaphor for one of my ex-boyfriends/ And that is all it was, but no one ever wondered.” Here, she pointedly illustrated how public perception can skew the meaning behind artistic expressions, like music videos, often leading to misconceptions about the artist’s personal life.

Wickline’s Carpenter character expressed her frustration with the lines, “Help me/ Just tell me what I’m doing wrong/ Why am I the only straight pop star/ Taken at their word?” This poignant moment resonated with the audience as it articulated the loneliness that can come with being an artist, especially when their authenticity is consistently questioned. Wickline continued, “I do gay stuff and you don’t get mad/ I just want the same treatment/ I want to have mystique.” This part of the song underscored the desire for complexity in public perception and the often simplistic narratives that overshadow real stories.

Wickline reminded viewers of Carpenter’s previous daring moments, such as locking lips with a female alien during her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September. This striking image served to emphasize the disparity between the public’s reactions to her artistic choices compared to those of other artists.

“I also made out with a girl alien at the VMAs/ Nothing!” she lamented in her song, further highlighting the inconsistency in how different artists are treated regarding their public personas and perceived relationships.

As of now, Carpenter has not publicly responded to this comedic portrayal. Her silence leaves room for speculation, which only adds to the intrigue surrounding her public image and the narratives that fans and the media create.

For those interested, you can catch the “Weekend Update” segment that humorously critiques Carpenter’s situation in the clip provided below. Additionally, during the same episode hosted by Chris Rock, musical guest Gracie Abrams performed her songs “That’s So True” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” further enriching the night’s entertainment.