A significant “snag” nearly occurred during Chappell Roan’s November Saturday Night Live musical guest appearance.
Roan, 26, disclosed that a significant wardrobe malfunction right before she took the stage nearly ruined her performance on the late-night sketch show in an interview with Canadian celebrity journalist Nardwuar that was uploaded to his YouTube channel on December 15.
Regarding the dress she wore to perform her hit song “Pink Pony Club,” the “Hot to Go” singer told Nardwuar, “It tore all the way down the back right before I walked on stage.” “I had to have the seamstress from SNL on staff. The dress tore all the way down and I was sewed into it.
“And so after you use the dress, is there a bit of sweat sometimes?” Nardwuar followed up by asking Roan about her wardrobe care regimen. How does cleaning it work, and is it mandatory?
“They smell crazy yeah. I don’t know if I clean it, I think I just put it in a bag and put it back on the rack,” Roan replied.
The dress, a sparkling, form-fitting white-jeweled floor-length gown, was accompanied by Roan’s signature big, red curls and drag makeup. The singer wore a voluminous red wig with silver streaks and bold, dark eye makeup as she began the song sitting on a throne-like chair. Affixed to her lapel, she had a large jeweled spider broach, while a jewel-encrusted spider bracelet was on her wrist. Both were a subtle nod to Halloween, which came just days before her performance.
During her second performance of the evening, Roan performed a brand-new country-style song called “The Giver.” The singer donned identical shorts and cowboy boots, along with a pink and white gingham bralette with lapels and a tie, to the release of her new song. Both her band and backing vocalists wore outfits with a similar country vibe.
When asked if she ever repurposed any of her clothes during the interview, Roan said, “I would love to, but my stylist is like, we gotta keep it moving.”
In the past, Roan has received praise for her bold fashion choices, which have been influenced by drag queens, theatre, horror films, and other sources. Roan, dressed entirely in green to resemble the Statue of Liberty, performed at the Governors Ball music festival in New York in June.
Gunnar Deatherage, a Project Runway alum, created a blue and green burlesque-style ensemble that she wore in a promotional video for her Saturday Night Live appearance. It was notable for its intricate design.
