Who Is Marcello Hernandez? Inside the Meteoric Rise of SNL’s Hilarious New Star

Marcello Hernández is having yet another breakout moment on the internet this week, and it all started with a 90-second promo for this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live. In the clip, pop star–turned–double-duty host Sabrina Carpenter trades dead-pan banter with the Miami-born comedian before the two literally finish each other’s sentences about their “greatest fear,” an absurd dentist scenario that instantly went viral on X and TikTok. WHY MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ IS TRENDING TODAY • Fresh SNL promo buzz: The new spot dropped less than 48 hours before the Oct. 18 live show, generating millions of views within hours and propelling “Marcello Hernández” to the top of real-time search rankings. • Viral chemistry with Sabrina Carpenter: Fans are re-sharing last year’s concert clip where Carpenter “arrested” Hernández’s suave alter ego Domingo on stage, cementing their on-screen rapport. • TIME accolade: Last week, Hernández was named to TIME Magazine’s 2025 Latino Leaders list, further boosting mainstream interest. FROM MIAMI OPEN-MICS TO STUDIO 8H Born to Cuban-Dominican parents, Hernández cut his teeth in South Florida clubs before moving to New York in 2019. Three years later he landed a coveted SNL cast slot and quickly became known for bilingual stand-up bits, his baseball-obsessed Weekend Update rants, and the viral “Domingo” sketch that spawned countless TikTok remixes. THE IMPACT OF REPRESENTATION Hernández is currently the only Latino male in SNL’s ensemble. His quick ascent—capped by the TIME Latino Leaders nod—has industry insiders calling him “the face of a new bilingual comedy boom.” Brands are taking note: marketers in sports, menswear, and Latin food staples have already inked influencer deals timed to SNL’s fall run. WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SATURDAY NBC is teasing multiple pre-taped segments featuring Hernández and Carpenter, and fans speculate a live follow-up to the “Domingo” saga. Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock; clips typically hit YouTube overnight, so expect another spike in search traffic for Hernández on Sunday morning. BOTTOM LINE With viral promo heat, a high-profile TIME honor, and an ever-growing social meme arsenal, Marcello Hernández is perfectly positioned to transform this weekend’s SNL spotlight into long-term cultural cachet—and search engines are lighting up accordingly.