KATSEYE are bringing a serious game face to their Saturday Night Live debut — and Jalen Brunson is matching their intensity.
The global girl group appears alongside the New York Knicks star and cast member Marcello Hernandez in a new promo for this weekend’s SNL season 52 premiere. Brunson will make his hosting debut, while KATSEYE will serve as musical guest for the first time.
The promo’s joke centers on Hernandez’s unsuccessful attempt to get everyone to relax. “First time hosting! Ready to have some fun?” he asks Brunson.
Brunson remains stone-faced as he answers, “Nah, I’m locked in.” Hernandez reminds him that the show is not the Finals and says he can loosen up before turning to KATSEYE for support.
That plan immediately backfires. “We’re locked in,” Lara tells him with an icy stare.
Daniela briefly breaks ranks by flashing Hernandez a goofy grin, but Lara quickly clears her throat and hisses, “Daniela!” Her bandmate then drops the smile and joins the others in locking in for the big night.
Sophia Is Missing From the Promo
The lighthearted clip also leaves one important question unanswered: Sophia does not appear with KATSEYE.
Sophia announced a hiatus from the group in August. The initial announcement confirmed that she would sit out the first leg of KATSEYE’s Wildworld Tour in September, but it did not clarify whether she could return for the North American dates. That portion of the tour is scheduled to begin Oct. 13 in Miami.
Her status for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live episode remains unknown. Although the promo presents KATSEYE as a quartet, Sophia’s absence from the clip does not establish whether she will also miss the group’s musical appearance.
KATSEYE head into their SNL debut while promoting WILD, which topped the U.S. albums chart. The season premiere gives the group a major television platform as uncertainty continues around Sophia’s return.
Brunson is also arriving at Studio 8H following a milestone of his own. The reigning NBA Finals champion brought the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy back to New York in June and will now step into the host role for the first time.
What Happens Next?
KATSEYE and Brunson will make their respective Saturday Night Live debuts during the season 52 premiere this weekend. The episode airs at 11:30 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and will stream on Peacock.
For KATSEYE fans, the broadcast may also provide the next indication of whether the group will remain a quartet for the appearance or whether Sophia will return. For now, the promo’s message is clear: Brunson, Lara, Daniela and the rest of the women appearing in the clip are fully locked in.