This weekend, Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna made her Saturday Night Live (SNL) debut as she took the stage with Coldplay, opening for the band’s much-anticipated “World of Spheres” tour. The performance marks another highlight in an already extraordinary year for the rising star, who joined the British icons for the special appearance on the award-winning late night comedy showcase.
Coldplay delivered their latest hit, We Pray, with surprise guest performances by Elyanna and Argentine pop star Tini. For Elyanna, this collaboration adds to a growing list of career-defining moments, following her U.S. television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2024 and her headlining set at Coachella the previous year.
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Known for her unique blend of Arabic rhythms and contemporary pop, Elyanna’s stage presence continues to cement her as a global force. The SNL appearance comes on the heels of her standout performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, where she again performed We Pray. While the official track, featuring rapper Little Simz and Nigerian artist Burna Boy, was originally released in English, the 22-year-old unveiled her own Arabic version of the song on Sept. 20.
A proud Palestinian, Elyanna often dedicates the powerful anthem to her homeland. After performing We Pray in Arabic at Coldplay’s Dublin concert in August, she shared on Instagram: “I sang for hope, and most importantly, for my hometown Palestine! I pray for my people. I’m proud to represent our culture everywhere.”
Her advocacy for Palestine has been a recurring theme in her music. In April, she made a bold statement on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, donning the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh as Arabic poetry illuminated the backdrop. The previous year at Coachella, she made headlines by performing in Arabic and waving a keffiyeh on stage, further showcasing her dedication to her roots.
