Japanese and British singer Rina Sawayama has come constructive criticism after Sabrina Carpenter’s recent “Saturday Night Live” appearance.
During the Saturday, Oct. 18, episode of “SNL,” Carpenter performed her song “Nobody’s Son” against the backdrop of a martial arts studio. She donned a short and sparkly karate uniform as dancers did martial arts-inspired choreography behind her.
Sawayama took to her Instagram Story on Sunday, Oct. 19, to comment on the performance.
“Big love to Sabrina, but fellow artists creative teams … if we are clearly referencing a culture please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves,” she wrote.
Sayayama specifically took issue with the dancers wearing shoes on the tatami mat.
“Shoes on tatami is jail,” Sawayama quipped.
NJ.com has reached out to Carpenter’s team for comment.
Rina Sawayama.Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Elsewhere in the performance, Carpenter showed off some martial arts moves of her own, breaking blocks of wood and kicking a man in the stomach as she sang the viral bridge of the song.
Carpenter also performed her hit “Manchild” during the episode. Dressed in a T-shirt and undies emblazoned with the words “It’s Saturday Night,” Carpenter pranced around a bedroom set singing into a hairbrush.
The “Espresso” singer wasn’t just the musical guest. She also made her hosting debut during the episode, taking on characters including a middle school dance attendee and a motivational speaker at a “girlboss” seminar.
READ MORE: ‘SNL’ season 51 schedule: See all hosts and musical guests
“SNL double duty was the least I’ve slept in my life and the best reason to ever not sleep,” Carpenter wrote via Instagram on Monday, Oct. 20. “Thank you [‘SNL’ creator and showrunner] Lorne [Michaels], the amazing cast, crew, and writers for taking me in with open arms.”
“SNL” is taking the week off, but the sketch comedy show will be back with a new episode on Saturday, Nov. 1. Miles Teller is set to host with musical guest Brandi Carlile.
“Saturday Night Live” airs on NBC on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET. Past episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.