Rina Sawayama Criticizes Sabrina Carpenter’s Cultural Choices on SNL

Rina Sawayama has weighed in on Sabrina Carpenter’s recent performance on Saturday Night Live, offering criticism about its use of Japanese cultural elements.

Carpenter performed her song Nobody’s Son from her album Man’s Best Friend during the show on Saturday. She wore a sequined kimono and was accompanied by dancers performing martial arts-style moves, which drew attention online for its cultural references.

Sawayama, who is of Japanese and British heritage, shared her thoughts on Instagram on Sunday. “Big love to Sabrina but fellow artists creative teams… if we are clearly referencing a culture please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves,” she wrote.

The singer also highlighted a specific inaccuracy in the performance. “Shoes on tatami is jail,” Sawayama added, referring to the sneakers Carpenter’s dancers wore on traditional Japanese floor mats. In Japanese culture, shoes and slippers are removed before stepping onto tatami mats, which are often made from rice straw and used in spaces for rituals and prayer.

In addition to the cultural discussion, Carpenter’s performance made headlines for other reasons. She dropped two F-bombs on stage that went uncensored in the East Coast airing of the show.

Sawayama’s reaction underlines the importance of respecting cultural traditions when drawing inspiration from them. Even small details, like footwear on tatami mats, can carry meaning and significance.

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