Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated return to Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest took an unexpected turn this weekend, as a controversial skit ignited a firestorm of outrage across social media. What was intended as a lighthearted, over-the-top comedic sketch has been labeled by critics as a blatant display of satanic symbolism, reigniting long-standing conspiracy theories about the pop icon.
The skit, titled “A Friendly’s Birthday Gone Wrong,” aired during Gaga’s March 9 appearance, her first time hosting the show since 2013. The segment began innocently enough, with cast member Bowen Yang lying about co-star Heidi Gardner’s character having a birthday to score a free sundae at the fictional Friendly’s restaurant. However, the scene quickly escalated into absurdity when Gaga’s character, Daphne, demanded a sworn oath to “all the gods in all the heavens” that the birthday was genuine.
What followed was a surreal sequence in which the Friendly’s staff donned red cloaks, performed a mock satanic ritual, and channeled Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom to rip out Gardner’s character’s heart—served, of course, with ice cream. Gaga, in her signature theatrical style, presided over the chaos with campy exaggeration, seemingly leaning into her reputation for provocative and boundary-pushing art.
While the skit was clearly intended as satire, social media erupted almost instantly, with users accusing Gaga of promoting satanic imagery and even hiding her true beliefs behind the guise of humor. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms flooded with accusations, with some users claiming the skit was a “black mass” to promote her new album, Mayhem, which dropped just days before the show.
“They’ve gone from subtle symbolism to full-blown satanic cosplay on prime-time TV,” one user wrote. Another declared, “Hollywood isn’t even hiding it anymore.”
This isn’t the first time Gaga has faced such accusations. From her infamous meat dress at the 2010 VMAs to her Judas music video in 2011, where she rode on a motorcycle with Judas Iscariot, conspiracy theorists have long labeled her a satanist. Her 2017 Super Bowl halftime show and her association with performance artist Marina Abramovic have only fueled these claims.
The Church of Satan has repeatedly debunked these notions, stating that true satanism is symbolic, not literal, and that Gaga’s involvement is artistic, not doctrinal. However, the SNL skit’s explicit imagery—blood, cloaks, and demonic chants—has reopened old wounds for critics who see it as evidence of a deeper truth.
The backlash has been swift and fierce. Hashtags like #LadyGagaSatan and #SNLSatanic trended on social media, with millions of impressions by midday Sunday. Conservative voices and religious groups seized on the skit as proof of Hollywood’s moral decay, while others tied it to broader cultural and political divides.
Gaga’s defenders, including past SNL cast members, have called the skit a goofy nod to her eccentric persona and artistic flair. They argue that the outrage is overblown and that the sketch was simply a misfired attempt at humor. However, the timing of the skit, coming just after the release of Mayhem, has raised eyebrows, with skeptics suggesting it was a calculated PR stunt to generate buzz.
The controversy has real-world implications. Fans have launched #JusticeForGaga campaigns, arguing that she is being scapegoated in broader cultural wars. Meanwhile, detractors are calling for boycotts of her album and upcoming tour. Streaming numbers for the skit’s clip on YouTube have already surpassed two million views, suggesting that the controversy is only boosting her visibility—ironic, if the intent was merely humor.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Lady Gaga’s SNL skit has become a cultural lightning rod, exposing simmering tensions between celebrity performance, public perception, and a growing distrust of Hollywood’s elite. Whether this was a misjudged attempt at satire or a deliberate provocation, the fallout underscores the power of perception in an increasingly polarized world.
For now, Gaga has remained silent on the controversy. Her next move—whether an artistic pivot or a doubling down on her provocative persona—will undoubtedly shape her legacy in the years to come.
