Watch Rosalía perform ‘Reliquia’ en pointe and ‘Magnolias’ in the rain on ‘SNL’

Spanish artist Rosalía returned to the American late-night stage on October 10, 2025, appearing as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s 52nd season, episode three. Her appearance marked a continuation of her evolving artistry tied to her 2025 album, ‘Lux’.

During the live broadcast, Rosalía presented two highly stylized performances that underscored the album’s cinematic and emotive qualities. Her rendition of ‘Reliquia’ featured a striking visual: dressed in a black ballet tutu, she maintained a poised stance en pointe throughout the song’s entire duration. This disciplined, almost statuesque presentation conveyed a seamless fusion of classical dance aesthetics with contemporary music performance.

Later in the episode, Rosalía returned to the stage for ‘Magnolias,’ the album’s closing track. This performance introduced a dynamic environmental element—a rain simulation that began partway through the song, progressively soaking the artist and adding a visceral layer to the experience. Her outfit shifted to a white ensemble, contrasting with the earlier performance’s darker tone and highlighting thematic shifts within ‘Lux.’

These appearances followed the conclusion of Rosalía’s global tour supporting ‘Lux,’ which garnered critical acclaim, including a notable five-star review from NME for both the London O2 Arena show in May and the album itself upon its release in late 2024. The record was praised for its innovative soundscape and emotional depth, confirming Rosalía’s status as a boundary-pushing figure in modern music.

Rosalía’s connection to influential collaborators further enriches her latest work. ‘Reliquia’ was co-written with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, known for his role in Daft Punk, while the album also features a collaboration with Icelandic artist Björk on the track ‘Berghain.’ The latter partnership was showcased live earlier in 2025 at the BRIT Awards in Manchester, emphasizing Rosalía’s engagement with diverse musical traditions and experimental textures.

In addition to her musical contributions, Rosalía made a brief comedic cameo on the SNL episode, appearing in a sketch that humorously addressed themes of personal conflict and entertainment priorities. This multifaceted participation illustrated her expanding presence beyond music into broader cultural moments.

Earlier in the year, Rosalía’s songwriting prowess was formally recognized when she received the International Songwriter of the Year award at the Ivor Novello Awards. Her acceptance speech highlighted an ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity within the music industry, noting a desire to represent voices often underrepresented in mainstream spaces.

Adding to her artistic influence, it was recently disclosed that Bono from U2 sought Rosalía’s expertise regarding Spanish lyricism for a song inspired by her, titled ‘The Mirror Maker (Rosalía),’ set to appear on U2’s upcoming album ‘Carnaval De Luz.’ This gesture signifies Rosalía’s growing impact across genres and generations.

‘Lux’ represents a marked evolution from Rosalía’s previous album, ‘Motomami’ (2022), which was known for its orchestral arrangements and multilingual vocals. The newer record channels a more introspective and tender mood, born from Rosalía’s intention to fill a perceived void of emotional softness in contemporary music.

Rosalía’s recent SNL performances and associated milestones reinforce her role as a transformative figure in global pop, blending theatricality, diverse musical influences, and a clear vision for creative expression.