Ashley Padilla’s memorable sketch about a disastrous haircut on Saturday Night Live has its roots in a real-life hair mishap. Recently, Padilla, a new cast member who joined the show in 2024, revealed during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers that the comedic bit of pretending to love an embarrassing haircut was based on her personal experience.
Several years ago, Padilla faced a dramatic hair transformation—but this change was not the work of a professional stylist; it was entirely self-inflicted. She recounted her story while showcasing a photo of herself with a buzz cut, recalling, “I buzzed my head by accident.” With a smile, she described the awkwardness of trying to embrace the look, saying, “I’m pretending I like it. I’m going, ‘I like it! Let’s take a selfie.’ Why?! No one wants that picture.”
Meyers, who has his own history with SNL, pressed for details on how Padilla accidentally ended up with such a bold hairstyle. Inspired by actress Zoë Kravitz and her stylish cropped look, Padilla had envisioned a “tight to my head” appearance. She excitedly purchased a buzzer from Amazon, unaware that such devices offer various length settings.
“I didn’t know there are levels,” she admitted, prompting laughter as Meyers quipped that everyone should know better.
With her new haircut bobbing along with her comments, Padilla shared how she decided to embrace the look and own it, stating, “I walked around, and I was like, ‘This is on purpose! I like it! With some earrings.’ I looked insane.”
In addition to her haircut anecdote, Padilla shared a touching tribute to the late Diane Keaton, whom she had assisted before her SNL debut, remembering her fondly.
Fans can catch Padilla in action on Saturday Night Live, airing Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock, bringing lighthearted authenticity to the stage in her own unique way.