'SNL' stage fright: 10 celebs who revealed feeling nervous and scared before hosting show

Hosting 'Saturday Night Live' is an honor for any celebrity, but the weight of expectations has made things tricky for many of them
PUBLISHED APR 4, 2024
(L-R) Even rising stars in Hollywood such as Sydney Sweeney, Timothee Chalamet, and Kristen Stewart have had their fair share of jitters before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
(L-R) Even rising stars in Hollywood such as Sydney Sweeney, Timothee Chalamet, and Kristen Stewart have had their fair share of jitters before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

10 celebrities who have revealed battling stage fright before hosting 'SNL'

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
(L-R) Celebrities like Billie Eilish and Andrew Garfield have admitted to feeling nervous before their 'Saturday Night Live' hosting gigs (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

Hosting 'Saturday Night Live' ('SNL') is a dream for many celebrities, but stepping onto the iconic stage comes with its own set of jitters. Despite their fame and experience, numerous stars have openly admitted to battling stage fright before hosting the legendary comedy show. Here are 10 celebrities who have candidly revealed their nerves and fears before taking the 'SNL' spotlight.

1. Pedro Pascal

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Pedro Pascal's debut 'Saturday Night Live' monologue coincided with the anniversary of his mother's death (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

Pedro Pascal delivered his debut 'Saturday Night Live' monologue on February 4, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of his mother's death. In a later interview with Esquire, he revealed feeling intense fear about hosting the show, even resorting to talking to his late mother for comfort amidst the anxiety and fear of failure.

2. Andrew Garfield

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Andrew Garfield expressed a mix of excitement and panic before his hosting stint on 'Saturday Night Live' (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

In 2014, speaking to PopSugar before his hosting stint on 'Saturday Night Live', Andrew Garfield expressed a mix of excitement and panic, admitting to feeling deeply anxious and even contemplating jumping out of a window due to nerves.

3. Billie Eilish

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Billie Eilish hosted the December 2021 holiday episode of 'Saturday Night Live' (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

Billie Eilish hosted the December 2021 holiday episode of 'Saturday Night Live', revealing later in an interview on Howard Stern's radio show that she experienced intense anxiety in preparation for the show and admitted to crying every day leading up to the performance.

4. James McAvoy

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
James McAvoy expressed genuine nervousness before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2019 (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

When questioned about his feelings before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2019 during an interview with Access Hollywood, James McAvoy expressed genuine nervousness, confessing, "Terrified. I might need to go to the bathroom right now."

5. John Mulaney

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
John Mulaney was 'absolutely terrified' during his first time hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2018 (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

In a 2019 interview with NPR, John Mulaney admitted feeling "absolutely terrified" during his first time hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2018, likening the experience to playing basketball in front of family. He also revealed he struggled with the possible perception of being a fraud among those who knew him well.

6. Kristen Stewart

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Kristen Stewart avoided hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for six years out of fear (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

In 2017, Kristen Stewart candidly confessed to Jimmy Fallon on his talk show that she had avoided hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for six years out of fear. She admitted to being a "total wuss" but recognized the importance of facing her fears and embracing failure as a path to growth, as per E! Online.

7. Lindsay Lohan

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Lindsay Lohan's first time hosting 'Saturday Night Live' was a 'nerve-wracking' experience (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Lindsay Lohan reflected on her nerves before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time in 2004, stating, "It's always so nerve-wracking... And then it becomes more comfortable after, but this time I was really nervous."

8. Austin Butler

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Austin Butler sought the advice of friends before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time in 2023 (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

In a recent Elle interview, Austin Butler recalled seeking advice from his 'Dune: Part Two' co-stars Timothee Chalamet and Christopher Walken due to nerves before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time in 2023. Walken simply advised, "Just read the cue cards."

9. Timothee Chalamet

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Timothee Chalamet fel nervous before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for the second time in 2023 (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

During a conversation with Elle, Timothee Chalamet shared his nervousness about hosting 'Saturday Night Live' for the second time in 2023. He mentioned finding a note from Woody Harrelson backstage that read, "I'm terrified right now," which reassured him, realizing he wasn't alone in feeling anxious.

10. Sydney Sweeney

(Saturday Night Live/YouTube)
Sydney Sweeney had a panic attack before hosting 'Saturday Night Live' on March 2 this year (Saturday Night Live/YouTube)

Sydney Sweeney, who hosted 'Saturday Night Live' on March 2 earlier this year, shared her reflections on the experience during an SXSW panel weeks later. "It was terrifying; my mouth dried up," she recounted, expressing panic attacks at the thought, as per PEOPLE.

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