Following the release of new music on Friday, Shawn Mendes returned to Studio 8H as this week’s musical guest on the Adam Sandler-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live.
The pop singer opened with an uplifting rendition of his latest single “If I Can’t Have You.” During the performance of the soulful song — which he revealed was originally written for Dua Lipa — Mendes strummed his guitar while howling the chorus against gospel-tinged backing vocals.
Mendes later returned to the stage to serenade the audience with his powerful hit “In My Blood.” Initially stripped-down, Mendes began the set alone at a piano accompanied by a symphony which was revealed as the lights turned on. But as he belted the chorus, Mendes transformed his barebones introduction into a full-fledged rock performance.
Mendes, who previously served as SNL musical guest in 2016, also traded his guitar for a wig, appearing as Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison-esque nephew in a skit where the actor attends a family reunion where his relatives and friends act like the characters he has portrayed on screen.