It's been nearly a decade since Dakota Johnson first hosted SNL in early 2015 — and how the world has changed since then.
In her opening monologue as host for the second time this weekend, the Madame Web star shared some of her most vivid memories from her first appearance on SNL.
Johnson hosted “Saturday Night Live” for another time on February 28, 2015 – shortly after the release of “50 Shades of Gray” and not long after the big SNL 40th anniversary celebration. “I was actually in the audience for that special,” Johnson explained, even pulling up a star-studded photo from the event.
“Look at this collection of people: Sarah Palin, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and look who’s sitting right behind me,” she said, approaching a smiling Donald Trump — nearly two years before winning the 2016 presidential election.
“It's just crazy to be standing so close to someone who would become the most powerful person in America,” Johnson added as the camera panned to show who was sitting just a few inches in front of her: Taylor Swift.
While Johnson clearly had the whole monologue thing under control, that didn't stop Justin Timberlake – noted member of SNL's famous Five-Timers Club – from storming the stage when she announced the former boy bander as her musical guest.
“Justin, what are you doing up here? Are you lost?” Johnson wanted to know. Timberlake admitted that he heard his name being mentioned and thought that was his reason to come out. The actress reminded Timberlake that he was just “the musical guest” – and subtly poked fun at his latest attempt at a pop music “comeback.”
Still, Timberlake persisted, letting her know, “If you want me to be in sketches, I've hosted before,” then waved his hands “five times.” “Well, that was 10 years ago,” Johnson replied.
But Timberlake wasn't about to go down without a fight and even brought backup: former SNL star Jimmy Fallon, who stood on stage alongside Timberlake and Johnson in his full Barry Gibb getup to wish the host well: “Break yourself a leg,” Fallon said.
But Fallon's costume didn't go to waste: Shortly after the monologue ended, he and Timberlake again performed “The Barry Gibb Talk Show,” a recurring sketch they've performed together several times. For those few moments, Johnson was just a guest while the two veteran SNL cast members took center stage.