Marcello Hernández shuts down Sabrina Carpenter dating rumors after SNL collaborations

Marcello Hernández has publicly clarified rumors linking him romantically to Sabrina Carpenter, saying the two are friends and colleagues, not a couple.

Speaking on the January 26 episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, the Saturday Night Live cast member explained that he is currently in a committed relationship. Hernández, 28, said he is dating Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral, describing her as an architect and praising her accomplishments. He added that while he has enjoyed working with Carpenter, there has never been a romantic connection.

According to Hernández, speculation about a possible relationship stemmed from their repeated collaborations on SNL, particularly the viral “Domingo” sketch. The sketch originally featured Ariana Grande and later incorporated Carpenter’s song “Espresso,” before Carpenter herself appeared in subsequent versions. Carpenter also playfully referenced the sketch during her concerts, including a moment in November 2024 when she staged a mock “arrest” of Hernández onstage.

Hernández said that despite the attention generated by the sketch, his relationship with Carpenter remained strictly platonic. He praised her sense of humor and enthusiasm for comedy, calling her “really funny and cool” and commending her willingness to lean into the joke.

Hernández has been dating Cabral for several months, and the pair made their red carpet debut together at the Happy Gilmore 2 premiere in July, following an earlier public appearance at The Phoenician Scheme premiere after-party in May.

The actor emphasized that the rumors were a byproduct of the sketch’s popularity rather than real-life romance, noting that he and Carpenter simply developed a strong friendship through their work on SNL.