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In her much-buzzed episode, the Grammy winner not only took on the hosting duties, she also provided the musical performance on the show, which is currently streaming now on BINGE. For her musical set, the 26-year-old performed her song Nobody’s Son, off her latest album Man’s Best Friend – and she drew upon Japanese culture by creating a dojo-inspired set. Carpenter wore a sequined kimono-esque top with stockings and high heels, while her stunt performers wore karate gis … while also wearing shoes. This was a big no-no for Rina Sawayama – a Japanese singer of British descent who made her big-screen acting debut in John Wick: Chapter 4 in 2023. She took to Instagram to give Carpenter some constructive criticism. “Big love to Sabrina,” she began in her post. “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.” “Shoes on tatami is jail,” she added, referring to Carpenter’s dancers who performed across traditional Japanese floor mats with sneakers. Stream Saturday Night Live now on BINGE, available on Hubbl. In Japanese culture, it is customary to remove one’s shoes and slippers before stepping onto tatami mats, which are made out of rice straw and are often reserved for spaces where prayers and rituals take place. Sawayama is no stranger to calling out cultural insensitivity. Two years ago, she publicly slammed 1975’s lead singer Matty Healy for alleged racist remarks he made on a podcast at the time. While introducing her song STFU at Glastonbury, et Sawayama told the crowd, “I wrote this next song because I was sick and tired of microaggressions. So, tonight, this song goes out to a white man who watches [pornography series] Ghto Gaggers and mocks Asian people on a podcast. He also owns my masters. I’ve had enough.” Other stars such as Madonna and Katy Perry have been called out in the past for cultural insensitivity after both wore tradition Japanese kimonos – Madonna in her 1998 music video Nothing Really Matters and Perry wore a kimono while performing at the American Music Awards in 2013. No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani has also been accused of cultural appropriation after drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s Harajuku district for her 2004 solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
