Kate McKinnon Opens 'SNL' With an Emotional Performance of "Hallelujah"
Paying tribute to Leonard Cohen with an unexpected somber tone.
Kate McKinnon returned to her role as Hillary Clinton for last night’s cold opening of Saturday Night Live. While her sketches alongside Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump have been very lighthearted, she took a more serious tone yesterday as a defeated presidential nominee. Paying tribute to Leonard Cohen who passed away earlier this week, McKinnon played the piano and performed a powerful rendition of “Hallelujah” in a somber state — befitting the post-election mood for many people in the U.S. At the end, she boldly turns to the camera and provides a hopeful message saying, “I’m not giving up, and neither should you.” With a momentous monologue by host Dave Chappelle also given last night, watch the full opening segment of the memorable episode above.