Rosalía Performs En Pointe and in the Rain on SNL Showcase from ‘Lux’ Album
Developing story first seen 38 minutes ago
New coverage places Rosalía’s two striking performances on Saturday Night Live in the context of the show’s wider reception and the opening of Grammy voting. She performed “Reliquia” while apparently holding an en pointe position for four minutes, then sang “Magnolias” as artificial rain soaked her dress, drawing immediate attention from viewers.
A dozen dancers joined her at the end of “Reliquia”; fans who had seen her Lux tour vouched for her ability to balance en pointe without visible support. Rosalía also appeared briefly in a comedy sketch with host Shane Gillis, whose monologue and jokes prompted sharp disagreement online. Grammy first-round voting opened on Monday, and Rosalía is already considered a strong contender for an Album of the Year nomination for Lux; she is also up for seven Latin Grammy awards.
- Rosalía held an en pointe pose throughout “Reliquia”.
- Artificial rain transformed her performance of “Magnolias”.
- The appearance came as Grammy voting opened.
New here? Start with this
Rosalía is a Spanish artist known for blending flamenco with contemporary pop and electronic music. Her album Lux, released in 2024, represents a notable creative evolution. She has built an international following through both innovative recordings and visually striking live performances.
Saturday Night Live is one of America's most prominent television platforms for musical performance. Rosalía's appearance on the show coincided with the opening of Grammy voting, when the music industry evaluates artists from the past year for its major awards. She is being considered as a strong contender for Album of the Year for Lux and has also received seven Latin Grammy nominations.
For artists competing in major award categories, performances during voting periods carry particular significance, as they reach both industry voters and the general public during a crucial evaluation window. SNL provides one of the largest such audiences and its performances typically generate substantial public discussion.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Contemporary music performance legitimately incorporates visual artistry and sophisticated choreography as integral elements that enhance emotional impact and artistic expression. Rosalía's execution demonstrates how demanding choreography, when perfected at the highest technical level, reflects genuine artistic commitment and expands performance possibilities. Visual sophistication and vocal delivery need not be in conflict; they can reinforce one another to create richer, more immersive artistic experiences.
The case against
Elaborate choreography and production design, however technically skilled, risk overshadowing vocal performance and musical substance at the centre of any musical art form. The physical demands of complex dance whilst maintaining vocal clarity can compromise the emotional authenticity and technical precision of the singing itself. Critics argue that contemporary pop music has increasingly substituted spectacular visual elements for the vocal artistry and musical composition that should form music's foundation.