- - Cher Returns to ‘SNL’ Stage After 40 Years With Surprising New Blonde Look

Jane LaCroixDecember 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM

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Photo by: Rosalind O'Connor/NBC via Getty Images

Cher fans had plenty to celebrate this weekend as the music legend returned to Saturday Night Live for the first time in nearly four decades.

The music legend, 79, made her triumphant return as the musical guest this weekend—her first full appearance on the show in nearly 40 years—and surprised fans not only with her performance, but with a blonde look that caught attention

Cher took the stage wearing a leather jacket and a shaggy, shoulder-length blonde ‘do—quite the contrast to her usually long, dark hair. The goddess of pop performed hits like, “DJ Play A Christmas Song” and “Run Rudolph Run” from her 2023 holiday album, Christmas. Cher appeared alongside host Ariana Grande, and the two later shared the screen alongside Bowen Yang in the fan-favorite “Delta Lounge” sketch.

For her second musical moment, Cher’s trademark locks made their return, switching into a sparkling silver corset top and black pants. She then delighted the audience with a surprise snippet of the Eagles’ “Please Come Home for Christmas,” earning a roaring response from the crowd.

While Cher has made brief appearances on SNL over the years—including a cameo on “Weekend Update” in 1992 and a performance during the show’s 50th anniversary concert last year—her last full stint as musical guest dates back to November 1987.

Cher’s return to SNL also doubled as a farewell for Yang, who has been a member of the cast for six years. Variety reported on December 19 that Yang would be departing after Saturday’s episode, closing out a run that began in 2018 when he joined as a writer before being promoted to the cast the following year.

Yang addressed his exit the morning before the episode aired, sharing a reflective message on Instagram. “i loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people,” he wrote. “working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.” He added, “i’m grateful for every minute of my time there.”

The comedian also gave a special shout-out to Grande for his sendoff, writing, “thank you to ari for sending me off in the dreamiest way i could imagine.”

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”