As fans of Saturday Night Live know, there have been plenty of memorable musical performances over the show’s 50-year history. However, one performance that still stands out to many viewers is Ashlee Simpson’s infamous lip-syncing mishap in 2004. Now, a new documentary titled ‘Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music,’ available for streaming on Peacock, takes a closer look at that unforgettable moment with never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage.
In the documentary, viewers are given access to backstage audio from the 2004 episode, where they can hear the panicked voices of the SNL staff as they try to figure out what went wrong during Ashlee Simpson’s performance. The ‘Pieces of Me’ singer had lost her voice and needed a backup track to sing along to, but her drummer accidentally played the wrong song, leading to a cringe-worthy moment that was broadcast to millions of viewers.
Ashlee Simpson spoke to Entertainment Tonight shortly after the incident, addressing the rumors that swirled about her lip-syncing. She defended herself, explaining that she always sings live at her shows and that the mishap was a result of unforeseen circumstances. “I’m a human being and things happen. Nobody’s perfect,” she said, acknowledging that it was a difficult moment for her as a performer.
The documentary not only revisits the embarrassment of that night but also sheds light on the challenges and pressures that come with performing live on a nationally televised show like SNL. Fans of Ashlee Simpson and SNL alike will appreciate the candid look at one of the show’s most infamous musical moments and gain a new perspective on what really happened behind the scenes.
Watch the video by Entertainment Tonight
Video “SNL Revisits Ashlee Simpson's Failed Musical Performance With New BTS Footage” was uploaded on 01/29/2025 to Youtube Channel Entertainment Tonight