Jimmy Fallon Natasha Lyonne Rihanna Tonight Show: Met Gala Laughs, Smurfs Revelations & NYC Adventures
On a recent episode of The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon welcomed the always-electric Natasha Lyonne, and the two longtime friends brought the house down. From flashbacks of a Met Gala near-mishap to backstage moments with the Wu-Tang Clan and a surprise Rihanna name drop during their chat about the new Smurfs movie, the interview was full of golden moments.
Let’s break down everything that made this episode one of the most entertaining in recent memory.
Natasha Stops Jimmy’s Met Gala Disaster in the Nick of Time
The two started off with a story from the Met Gala where Jimmy had the wild idea of showing up with Chanel under-eye patches as his big fashion statement. Natasha, being a good friend, promptly told him he was losing it—“Jimmy, you’ve gone nuts,” she said with zero hesitation.
Jimmy joked that Chanel doesn’t even make menswear, so he thought it would be hilarious to wear skincare instead. Natasha reminded him, “You don’t need to live this hard, baby.” The entire exchange was hilarious, heartfelt, and proof that Lyonne knows how to keep her friends in check.
You can read the full story as covered by People Magazine here, where Fallon credits Lyonne for saving him from a potential meme-worthy moment.
Wu-Tang Forever: From Concerts to Classrooms
Natasha shared her epic night out at a Wu-Tang concert, where she not only vibed to legendary music but also hung out on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus with Method Man (aka Clifford), RZA, and Sean Lennon. This isn’t just a party bus—it’s a moving studio where students create original music in each city.
She described the night as “life-affirming,” and even tried convincing Jimmy and The Roots’ Amir to come out with her for the next one in Newark. It wasn’t just about music—it was about giving back, supporting creativity, and embracing New York energy.
Poker Face Finale and Pup Stardom
Lyonne also opened up about her Peacock show Poker Face, especially the final episode—which she directed. Working with Cynthia Erivo, whom she described as “worthy of six Emmys,” was a highlight, but it was her dog, Root Beer, who may have stolen the show.
In a moment that wasn’t in the script, she cast Root Beer in a scene, channeling her inner 1970s auteur. Fallon couldn’t get enough of the adorable pup and dubbed her the “Shirley Temple of dogs.”
The Rihanna Reveal: Meet Smurfs’ Mama Poot
And now for the part everyone’s been buzzing about—Rihanna. During the chat about Natasha’s role in the upcoming Smurfs movie, the superstar singer’s name popped up in a big way.
Lyonne shared that when she first joined the cast, she thought she might play Smurfette. But it turns out, that honor went to none other than Rihanna, who voices the iconic blue beauty. Lyonne, on the other hand, voices a hilarious new character named Mama Poot—a wild-haired, snaggle-toothed elder Smurf with big energy.
She joked:
“Rihanna plays an adorable Smurfette. Hot little blonde number Smurf. Turns out I’m not. I’m Mama Poot.”
Lyonne even joked about needing Rihanna’s phone number, saying, “The movie’s done, but we’re still not in touch.” It was one of the most genuine and funny moments in the entire show.
This unexpected mention added a whole new layer of excitement to the Smurfs reboot, especially since Rihanna rarely lends her voice to animated features. We’re hyped to see her as Smurfette—and Natasha as her wild counterpart.
Smurfs, Empire State Building, and One Perfect NYC Night
As part of the film’s promotion, Natasha lit up the Empire State Building alongside Nick Offerman and John Goodman. Afterward, she strolled over to Madison Square Garden to catch Wu-Tang live—only in New York can a night swing from Smurfs to hip-hop legends so effortlessly.
Between her animated antics and her genuine love for NYC, Natasha’s night out perfectly captured the spirit of the city—and her personality.
Jimmy Fallon Natasha Lyonne Rihanna Tonight Show Was a Hit
The Jimmy Fallon Natasha Lyonne Rihanna Tonight Show episode had it all—fashion fails averted, iconic music moments, animated chaos, and sweet shoutouts to real-life friendships. And yes, even Rihanna made her way into the story.
It was a masterclass in comedic timing, heartfelt moments, and that unique sparkle only New York nights can provide. If you haven’t watched it yet—trust us, you’ll want to.
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