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Rina Sawayama is asking for respect from Sabrina Carpenter’s team after the pop star’s recent performance on Saturday Night Live incorporated Japanese traditions.
In an Instagram Stories post on Sunday, Oct. 19, the singer and actress, 35, criticized Carpenter’s creative team for having her dancers wear shoes while on tatami mats — which goes against custom — during her performance of “Nobody’s Son” on SNL’s Oct. 18 episode.
“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,” Sawayama, who is British-Japanese, wrote while reposting a clip of Carpenter’s performance on her Instagram Stories.
“Shoes on tatami is jail 😭,” the John Wick 4 star noted of the performance.
In the clip of Carpenter’s SNL performance, Carpenter is seen singing to the front of the stage while sporting a short kimono-style robe and platform heels. Two of her dancers are seen dancing and faux fighting behind her in martial arts outfits while wearing sneakers on tatami mats.
Rina Sawayama/Instagram
Tatami mats are traditionally rooted in ancient Japanese culture and architecture, dating back to the Jōmon and Yayoi periods (c. 300 BC). Tatami is made of a thin woven flooring material comprised of woven igusa plant and are commonly used in traditional Japanese homes, per Japan Wonder Travel.
It is Japanese custom to take off shoes and slippers before stepping onto tatami mats. This is so as not to damage the delicate material and to maintain a peaceful setting in the space, as tatami mats are often placed in rooms set aside for praying and cultural rituals.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty
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Carpenter hosted SNL for the first time on Saturday, while also doubling as the musical guest on the show.
The “Taste” singer performed twice on the late-night comedy sketch series, singing her summer hit “Manchild” and “Nobody’s Son” from her new album Man’s Best Friend. During her performance of the latter, Carpenter stunned viewers as she uttered the “f-word” while singing without any censoring.
