With Women’s Marches taking place across the country, Jessica Chastain decided to bring some of that spirit of sisterhood and desire for change to her first time hosting SNL. Dressed in the all black of Time’s Up, Chastain came out swinging for her opening monologue.
While acknowledging her propensity for playing tough women, Chastain expressed her solidarity with her fellow women taking to the streets to make their voices heard. Eventually, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon joined her on stage, forming what should be the next girl group, to belt out “You Don’t Own Me,” the Leslie Gore classic and karaoke standard. It might be stuck in your head for the next three days.
The power ballad mostly served as an anthem for the women in the audience and on stage, but SNL still managed to sneak in a few digs as well. Aidy Bryant handed out p*ssy hats and reminded viewers that p*ssy was one of the words that “only the President can say on TV,” although Leslie Jones may have proven her wrong on that count. Chastain, McKinnon, and Strong also had to jokingly grapple with “male allies” who may have missed the point of the March.
While Chastain may not be known for her comedic chops, she is certainly game for whatever SNL throws at her. Maybe someday she’ll get to play the naggy girlfriend she’s always dreamed of being.
