Ariana Grande received strong support from her close friends as she made a return to the Saturday Night Live stage recently. One of her longtime friends and former Victorious co-star, Liz Gillies, was by her side backstage and shared some exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of Grande on Instagram.
Gillies expressed her endless pride for Grande, who was the musical guest for the night, in a heartfelt caption on her post. The photos captured Grande in her blue blouse and khaki trousers outfit for the skit 'People Pleaser Support Group,' where she appeared alongside host Josh Brolin and Bowen Yang, among other SNL cast members.
The images showcased Grande reviewing scripts in her dressing room and engaging in conversations with Yang before the show. Gillies also shared a glimpse of Grande during a rehearsal for her performances of songs from her new album, 'Eternal Sunshine,' which was released on Friday.
Grande performed 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' and 'imperfect for you' from the album during the show. Gillies posted a striking photo of Grande in her tan-colored mesh dress worn for the second performance.
Grande reciprocated the love by reposting several photos on her Instagram Story and leaving a touching comment on Gillies' post. She also shared her own set of photos from SNL, including moments with her mom, Joan Grande, and co-star Bowen Yang.
One of the highlights of the night was a Moulin Rouge skit where Grande and Yang parodied the film's famous 'Elephant Love Medley.' The SNL version featured a mix of unrelated songs, adding a comedic twist to the performance.
Grande's song choices for the show aligned with her favorite tracks from the album, as she had previously mentioned 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' and 'imperfect for you' as standout songs. The album's title track, 'eternal sunshine,' drew inspiration from the film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' reflecting Grande's admiration for its themes of love and self-discovery.
Overall, Grande's return to SNL after eight years was a memorable and well-received event, showcasing her musical talent and close bonds with friends and collaborators.
