Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting for Studio 8H to finally explode with the sheer amount of "wow" energy required to put Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge in the same room. Or, at least, the same sketch. When Ariana hosted Saturday Night Live in October 2024, she didn't just do a comedy bit. She basically held a masterclass in vocal fry and squinting.
If you've watched the "Maybelline" sketch, you know the vibe. Ariana stands in front of a mirror, playing the literal reflection of Chloe Fineman. They're both dressed in that specific shade of "Coolidge Pink." The hair is massive. The lips are glossed to within an inch of their lives. But what most people get wrong is thinking this was just a random one-off joke.
This moment was years in the making.
The Sketch That Nearly Broke Studio 8H
The premise was simple enough: Chloe Fineman’s Coolidge is getting ready for a date. She looks in the mirror and talks to her reflection (Grande). They go back and forth with those breathy, stalled-out sentences that have made Jennifer Coolidge a household name all over again.
"If you could have any superpower, what would it be?" Chloe asks.
"Crabwalking," Ariana replies, barely holding it together.
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The thing about SNL Ariana Grande Jennifer Coolidge moments is that they usually end in "breaking." Ariana actually snorted. She was supposed to be a mirror image, but she was laughing so hard at the absurdity of the dialogue—much of which felt like it was pulled from the strange, beautiful brain of the real Jennifer. Then Dana Carvey showed up as a third Coolidge, and the wheels just fell off.
It was chaos. Pure, blonde, whispery chaos.
Why This Impression Actually Matters
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity impressions as cheap laughs. But for these two, it’s actually deep. Jennifer Coolidge has gone on record—multiple times—saying that Ariana Grande basically saved her career.
Think back to 2018. Before The White Lotus. Before the Emmys. Jennifer was, in her own words, in a "dead zone." She wasn't getting the calls. Then, Ariana went on The Tonight Show and did a flawless impression of Paulette from Legally Blonde.
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- It went viral.
- Jennifer's friend told her to DM Ariana.
- Jennifer thought "the robots" answered Ariana's DMs.
- Ariana replied instantly.
That led to the "thank u, next" music video, which put Jennifer back in front of a massive, younger audience. It reminded Hollywood that she wasn't just a nostalgic 2000s actress; she was a comedic powerhouse. Without that SNL Ariana Grande Jennifer Coolidge connection, we might never have seen Tanya McQuoid.
The Technical Art of the "Coolidge Voice"
Ariana doesn't just "do" the voice. She inhabits the weirdness. Most people just do the "makes me want a hot dog real bad" line and call it a day. Ariana captures the breathiness—the way Jennifer seems to be discovering the end of her sentence at the exact same time as the audience.
In the 2024 sketch, they used this to sell "mouth magic" (lip plumper). It’s funny because it’s true; Jennifer’s look is so tied to that specific pout. When Ariana and Chloe were applying the gloss to each other, it wasn't just a sketch. It was a weirdly touching tribute to a woman they both clearly idolize.
What Really Happened with the Canceled 2023 Episode
There is a bit of a "what if" history here. People forget that Jennifer Coolidge was actually scheduled to host the SNL Season 48 finale in May 2023. The Foo Fighters were supposed to be the musical guest.
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The Writers Guild strike shut it down.
We missed out on what likely would have been the ultimate Coolidge-meets-Grande moment. It took another year and a half for Ariana to return as host and finally pay off that anticipation. Even though Jennifer wasn't there in person for the 2024 episode, her presence was everywhere—from the monologue where Ariana did her "low key" impressions to the viral Maybelline bit.
The 2025/2026 Connection
By the time the SNL 50th Anniversary rolled around, the "Coolidge" impression had become a staple of the show's "best of" reels. In late 2025, during Ariana’s third hosting gig (with musical guest Cher), the fans were still clamoring for it.
It’s rare for a host to have an impression that is so synonymous with their identity that they almost can't leave the building without doing it. But that's the level Ariana reached. She isn't just a pop star who can act; she’s an impressionist who happens to be a pop star.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific comedy rabbit hole, here is how to appreciate the nuances of the SNL Ariana Grande Jennifer Coolidge phenomenon:
- Watch the 2018 Fallon Clip First: To understand why the 2024 SNL sketch worked, you have to see the original "birth" of the impression. It's the foundation of their entire friendship.
- Look for the "Breaks": In the Maybelline sketch, watch Ariana's eyes. She breaks character about four times. It’s a rare look at a perfectionist losing it because she finds the material genuinely hilarious.
- Compare with Chloe Fineman: Chloe is a professional impressionist. Ariana is a fan. The difference in their approaches—Chloe’s is more technical, Ariana’s is more "vibe-based"—is what makes the mirror sketch so fascinating to watch.
- Follow the Career Arc: Trace the timeline from the "thank u, next" video to The White Lotus. It’s one of the few times in Hollywood history where a parody actually helped build a legacy rather than tear it down.
The bond between these two is one of the few genuinely wholesome things in the industry. It’s not just about the jokes; it’s about one generation of talent reaching back to make sure a legend gets her flowers. And honestly? We love that for them.