On February 16, 2025, Sabrina Carpenter joined legendary musician Paul Simon on stage for a special performance to kick off the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” Their duet, which was highly anticipated, became a focal point of discussion, with online viewers expressing varied opinions about their performance, particularly Simon’s vocals.
As the show opened, Carpenter dazzled the audience in a sparkling, off-the-shoulder fringe gown, standing confidently at the center of the “Saturday Night Live” stage. Simon, dressed in a lilac velvet suit jacket, black pants, and a purple top, held his guitar and soaked in the crowd’s energy.
The two artists shared some friendly banter before beginning their performance. Carpenter took a moment to praise Simon’s legendary status, prompting Simon to respond, “This is the one and only Paul Simon,” while he acknowledged the audience with a smile. He then introduced their song, “Homeward Bound,” sharing that he had previously performed it with George Harrison on “SNL” in 1976.
Carpenter humorously pointed out that neither she nor her parents were born at the time of that iconic performance, which led to a light-hearted exchange between the duo. After Simon strummed his guitar, they launched into the heartfelt duet, with Simon’s low, melodic voice leading the way. Carpenter soon joined in, offering her own rich vocals that complemented Simon’s voice.
At one point, Carpenter took the spotlight, delivering a solo section of the song with impressive vocal skill before Simon rejoined her for the rest of the performance. The duo’s effort to create a memorable rendition was met with loud applause from the live audience, but the reaction from social media was more critical.
Many online commentators pointed out that Carpenter’s performance outshined Simon’s, with some suggesting that the arrangement of the song and Simon’s vocals fell short. “She carried that song,” wrote one user, while another noted, “Paul Simon’s inability to sing anymore made Sabrina’s vocals the only redeeming part.”
Some fans also expressed disappointment with the duet, mentioning that Simon’s vocals seemed off-key and that the song felt slower and clunkier than expected. Others suggested that the performance would have been better without Simon, although many still acknowledged his legendary status.
Despite the mixed reviews, some commentators praised Carpenter for showing maturity during the performance. “She blended seamlessly with Paul Simon and demonstrated great respect for him,” one observer noted, highlighting Carpenter’s ability to support the iconic musician while also showcasing her vocal talents.
The performance comes shortly after Carpenter’s success at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she earned two wins—Best Pop Vocal Album for “Short n’ Sweet” and Best Pop Solo Performance for her track “Espresso.” She also received six nominations in total, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year.
Carpenter’s Grammy moment was marked by her heartfelt acceptance speech, where she expressed gratitude to the Recording Academy and thanked her family and supporters. She also celebrated the success of her album, which had been an important milestone in her career.
Meanwhile, fellow artist Taylor Swift’s enthusiastic reaction to Carpenter’s performance at the Grammys also sparked debate. Swift was seen dancing excitedly in the audience during Carpenter’s performance, which some viewers found distracting, while others admired Swift’s supportive energy.
While Carpenter’s performance with Simon may have been divisive, her ongoing success in the music industry is undeniable. From her breakthrough Grammy wins to her captivating stage presence, Sabrina Carpenter continues to make a lasting impact in the world of music. As her career progresses, it’s clear that she’s firmly establishing herself as one of today’s top pop artists.
