Rina Sawayama Calls Out Sabrina Carpenter Over Her SNL Performance

Rina Sawayama spoke out about Sabrina Carpenter’s recent performance on Saturday Night Live, offering some criticism about its cultural accuracy.

Carpenter performed her song Nobody’s Son from her latest album Man’s Best Friend during the show on Saturday. The performance drew inspiration from Japanese culture. Carpenter wore a sequined kimono and was joined by dancers performing martial arts-style moves.

Sawayama, who is of Japanese and British descent, shared her thoughts on Instagram on Sunday. “Big love to Sabrina but fellow artists creative teams… if we are clearly referencing a culture please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves,” she wrote.

She also pointed out a specific cultural mistake. “Shoes on tatami is jail,” Sawayama added, referring to the sneakers worn by Carpenter’s dancers as they walked across traditional Japanese floor mats.

In Japanese culture, it is customary to remove shoes before stepping onto tatami mats, which are often made of rice straw and used in spaces for praying and other traditional activities.

Carpenter has not yet responded to Sawayama’s comments.

Aside from the cultural discussion, Carpenter’s SNL performance also gained attention for the two F-bombs she dropped when taking the stage. These moments were not censored in the East Coast airing of the show.

Sawayama’s response highlights the importance of cultural respect when drawing inspiration from traditions outside one’s own.

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