- Viral TikTok sensation Sombr is set to make his debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on November 8.
- The 20-year-old artist, known for his billion-stream hit “Back to Friends,” has already sold out his worldwide Late Nights and Young Romance tour.
- Born Shane Michael Boose, Sombr leverages his massive online following and Gen Z appeal, which will now be on full display at Studio 8H.
- He will perform alongside first-time host Nikki Glaser, making for a must-watch episode.
The TikTok Star Taking Over 30 Rock
This Saturday, November 8, you might be asking, “Who is Sombr?” But for millions online, he’s already a household name. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter is making his highly anticipated debut on Saturday Night Live, bringing his viral fame from TikTok to one of television’s most iconic stages. With a sold-out world tour and a VMA already under his belt, Sombr’s appearance is one of the most talked-about musical bookings of the season.
Born Shane Michael Boose in 2005, the artist is ironically younger than Kenan Thompson’s tenure on the show. He skyrocketed to fame on TikTok, where he has amassed over four million followers with hit songs like “undressed” and “back to friends,” the latter of which recently surpassed a staggering one billion streams on Spotify. His debut album, I Barely Know Her, dropped in August 2025, solidifying his place as a major force in music.
The Meaning Behind the Name
Boose chose the stage name “Sombr” for a deeply personal reason. He explained to 1883 Magazine that it combines his initials, SMB, with the somber emotional state he was in when he released his first single. “Sombr kind of made sense for how I was feeling, and it was also available, like no one had used it, so it just felt right,” he said. Despite his modern, “chronically online” persona, his musical influences are timeless, citing legends like Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, and Radiohead.
Viral Videos and Famous Lookalikes
Sombr’s music videos have become events in themselves. For his song “12 to 12,” he enlisted fellow social media superstar Addison Rae to star as his love interest in a 70s-themed visual masterpiece. The video captured the hearts of fans and showcased his creative vision.
Adding to his internet fame is the constant comparison to Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard. The two finally addressed the uncanny resemblance in a video, proving once and for all they are “not the same person.”
Boose has even leaned into the jokes on his own social media, acknowledging his notable height, which is reportedly between 6’5″ and 6’7″.
Don’t Miss His SNL Moment
Currently in the middle of his debut tour, Late Nights and Young Romance, which sold out in seconds, Sombr is one of the hottest tickets in music. His appearance on SNL is a chance for the rest of the world to catch up with what millions of fans already know: he is a genuine star on the rise. Be sure to tune in to watch Sombr on Saturday Night Live, November 8 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Image Referance: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/who-is-sombr-snl-november-8-musical-guest-songs