Susan Sarandon Surprises at Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella Performance

Susan Sarandon has made headlines again, thanks to a surprise cameo during Sabrina Carpenter’s headlining set at Coachella.

Carpenter, 26, debuted in style, performing popular tracks such as “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” while also giving a nod to Hollywood by transforming the stage into a whimsical “Sabrina Wood,” echoing the iconic Hollywood sign.

However, it was Sarandon’s unexpected appearance that caught everyone off guard. The 79-year-old actress portrayed an older version of the pop star in a theatrical interlude that felt like a nostalgic drive-in movie scene, complete with a vintage car. She sported blonde hair styled similarly to Carpenter’s, dressed elegantly in white.

Joining her was Corey Fogelmanis, Carpenter’s former co-star from “Girl Meets World,” who played a weary waiter trying to leave work.

In this segment, Sarandon’s character reminisced about her youth, sharing that her niece was sifting through old photos and videos but struggled to connect those memories to familiar faces. “Aunt Sabrina is happy, but she doesn’t smile,” reflected Sarandon’s character.

This appearance comes on the heels of Sarandon’s comments following a pro-Palestinian rally, which led to her feeling ostracized in Hollywood.

During an event in New York City, she made a controversial statement suggesting that Jewish Americans were experiencing a taste of what it’s like to be Muslim in America. She later apologized for that remark, calling it a “terrible mistake.”

In a November 2024 interview, she described feeling like an “example of what not to do” after being dropped by her agency and losing projects due to backlash over her views.

Despite the controversies, Sarandon’s Coachella performance marked a noteworthy moment for her, which was complemented by other celebrity appearances during Carpenter’s ambitious set. Will Ferrell made a brief appearance as an electrician, while Samuel L. Jackson greeted the audience with a unique message about relaxation.

The show kicked off with a cinematic introduction featuring Sam Elliott as a mysterious police officer warning Carpenter not to go to California. “You know that’s not right. It’s wrong,” he said.

Still, there was a quirky moment that almost overshadowed the star-studded performance. Amidst the music, Carpenter paused, hearing a strange sound from the audience. “I think I heard someone yodeling,” she remarked, looking out at the crowd. When a fan acknowledged it, she candidly replied, “I don’t like it.”

A concertgoer attempted to explain that it was part of their culture, to which Carpenter retorted, “That’s your culture, yodeling?” She humorously added, “Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird,” before quickly resuming her performance.