Dakota Johnson took the hosting reins for a recent episode of Saturday Night Live and delivered her opening monologue with a surprise appearance by Taylor Swift. Swift joined Johnson during the monologue as a special guest. Johnson opened her monologue by referencing the box office performance of her movie Madame Web and noted that this was her third time hosting SNL.
She joked about her past relationships with musicians including Chris Martin and Tucker Pillsbury and described dating them as a public service. Johnson also made light of her dating choices and suggested that she saves other women money on mental health medication by dating musicians.
Swift responded to Johnson’s comment with a humorous jab about their friendship and how she doesn’t actually function as her therapist. The two actresses shared a moment of camaraderie during the monologue while Swift stood supportively beside Johnson as she spoke.
Johnson recently appeared in the music video for Swift’s new single “Patient Zero.” The video starred Johnson and Colin Farrell and showed Johnson portraying a woman in a toxic relationship with a man who had previously been married to Swift’s ghostly character. Johnson also presented Swift at the MTV VMAs with the inaugural Artist Director Honors prize.
The cold open of the episode featured Republican figures filming political ads ahead of the midterms.
Among those portrayed were Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth with the latter played by Colin Jost. The political satire included a line where Hegseth’s character urged viewers to vote in a way that would be considered the “gayest thing ever.”
Season 52 began with Jalen Brunson as host and Katseye as musical guest. Upcoming hosts include Shane Gillis on October 10 and Inde Navarrette on the Halloween episode.
Johnson made her SNL hosting debut in February 2015 and returned in January 2024 before hosting for a third time in 2026.
She also made a cameo during Josh O’Connor’s hosting episode last December and appeared at the 40th anniversary special. The “Patient Zero” video premiered at the VMAs after the song was released as part of Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore.
Swift’s song “Cleveland!” also appeared on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore and celebrates her marriage to Travis Kelce. The track includes lyrics about wearing white and expressing love for her husband as Swift sings about their life together.