Kate McKinnon’s Heartwrenching SNL Performance of “Hallelujah” Will Make You Cry
No one does Hillary Clinton quite like Saturday Night Live‘s Kate McKinnon (other than, you know, Hills herself). In the first episode of SNL since the election, the comedian was back in her white pantsuit, once again portraying Hillary (who we might soon see supporting daughter Chelsea’s political career) to a tee.
There was one major difference this time around, however: The skit had most people in tears rather than fits of laughter. Taking a somewhat unexpected approach after the history-making election results, the episode got rather poignant as Kate’s Hillary took to the piano to sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” as can be seen in the clip below.
WOW. Not only was the performance a beautiful tribute to Leonard, the legendary poet and artist who passed away earlier this week, but it seemed to perfectly sum up how much of the nation is feeling RN, a fact Jamie Lee Curtis couldn’t help but point out on Twitter.
I woke up to #katemckinnon delivering the emotions and hope so many are feeling. Thank you Leonard Cohen and #SNL! https://t.co/oRu55qTD49
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) November 13, 2016
“Thank you Leonard Cohen and #SNL!” she wrote. She was by no means the only one who was utterly moved by the moment. Although there was a LOT of buzz surrounding funnyman Dave Chappelle making his hosting debut, the spotlight soon shifted to Kate’s moment on stage, with fans praising the show, Kate and Hillary.
Not since 9/11 have I ever been as moved by #SNL. Thank you #KateMcKinnon, we needed that. Thank you #Hillary. #RIPLeonardCohen. ❤
— Jennifer Wagner (@Jenndwag) November 13, 2016
Kate McKinnon as Hillary singing Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, then Dave Chapelle on Trump. The best 15 minutes of SNL I’ve ever seen.
— Adam Conover (@adamconover) November 13, 2016
I hope Hillary watched Kate McKinnon's opening & knows how much she's loved. How much we ALL love her. #SNL
— Laurie Crosswell 🌞 (@lauriecrosswell) November 13, 2016
Yet no matter what folks thought of the performance itself, the simple yet extremely powerful message Kate delivered at the end of her rendition of “Hallelujah” was the real kicker. It came in the form of a single sentence and, if you ask us, it was perfect: “I’m not giving up, and neither should you.”
“Hallelujah” to that!
What did you think of last night’s SNL episode? Tweet us @BritandCo.
(h/t Hollywood Reporter, photos via Saturday Night Live via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty)
Barbara Pavone is a pop culture-obsessed writer based in beautiful (but ridiculously cold) Montreal, Canada. When she's not working, she's sipping on a Pimm's Cup and daydreaming about her celebrity hero, Saint West.
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