Dakota Johnson and Lily Allen Star as ‘Madeline’ on ‘SNL’
Dakota Johnson made a memorable appearance on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) this week, portraying the enigmatic character “Madeline” during Lily Allen’s performance of her new song. This performance marked Allen’s second of the evening, featuring a captivating stage setup that added to the song’s narrative.
Dakota Johnson and Lily Allen Shine on SNL
During the presentation, Johnson was mostly positioned behind a screen, allowing Allen to deliver her lyrics about a complex relationship. The song “Madeline” is drawn from Allen’s latest album, “West End Girl,” which has received considerable praise for its raw and candid storytelling.
Performance Highlights
- Spoken Word Segment: Dakota Johnson performed the spoken part of “Madeline,” highlighting tension between the three characters involved.
- Lyric Content: The song discusses themes of secrecy and emotional turmoil, featuring lines such as, “I hate that you’re in so much pain right now.”
- Visual Elements: The performance included Johnson emerging from behind the curtain as the narrative unfolded, evoking a powerful moment on stage.
Album Insights
“Madeline” stands out on the “West End Girl” album, further fueled by speculation about the character’s identity. While Lily Allen has noted that “Madeline” is a composite of various women, some insiders claim to know who she resembles.
Allen’s first performance on SNL included the song “Sleepwalking,” which also features provocative lyrics. During this performance, she made edits to the lyrics for appropriate broadcast.
“West End Girl” and Its Reception
The album “West End Girl,” released in 2023, has been described as brutally honest, exploring themes linked to Allen’s personal life, including her breakup with actor David Harbour, without name-dropping. Critics have hailed the album, with Chris Willman from Variety suggesting it should be considered for album of the year.
Upcoming Tour
In support of her album, Allen has announced a tour scheduled for March, marking her return to live performances since 2019. This is her second appearance on SNL, having previously performed in 2007, showcasing her evolution as an artist over the years.
