Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernandez has directly addressed and dismissed persistent speculation about a romantic involvement with Grammy-winning pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter. The 28-year-old comedian, celebrated for his portrayal of the character Domingo on the long-running sketch show, firmly shut down the dating rumors during a candid conversation on Dax Shepard's popular Armchair Expert podcast.
Clarifying Friendship Amid Persistent Speculation
During the podcast interview, host Dax Shepard playfully probed Hernandez about his connection with the 26-year-old "Espresso" singer, suggesting he should be pursuing her romantically. "If I’m you, and I’m 28, I’m going to try to date her with all my might," Shepard remarked. "Are you not trying your hardest to marry her?"
Hernandez swiftly redirected the conversation, choosing instead to highlight his committed relationship with girlfriend Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral. "I’m in a relationship with a Dominican girl. She’s an architect. She’s unreal. She went to Yale," Hernandez stated unequivocally. He did, however, offer a respectful compliment about Carpenter, adding, "But Sabrina’s awesome."
Origins of the Rumors: A Concert Cameo
The speculation about a potential romance between Hernandez and Carpenter initially ignited following a memorable appearance at one of her concerts in November 2024. During a Los Angeles tour stop at The Forum, Hernandez appeared in character as Domingo and was humorously "arrested" by Carpenter during her audience interaction segment for being "too hot."
The playful exchange saw Carpenter tell Hernandez, "Well! You sure are gorgeous. I’m getting so flustered and overwhelmed. Is there anything you wanna say before I arrest you, Domingo?" Hernandez responded in character, singing to the tune of "Espresso," "Came all this way, had to explain, direct from Domingo. Sabrina’s a friend; she’s like my sis, but I would hook up, though."
Reflecting on the viral moment, Hernandez explained to Shepard how the cameo was orchestrated. "The Domingo thing was big. And [Carpenter] was all about it, and it was so cool," he recalled. He also credited the team of writers who collaborated on the bit, mentioning Ceara O’Sullivan, Jimmy Fowlie, Sudi Green, and Allie Levitan, who travelled with him from New York for the performance.
Social Media Fuels Further Speculation
Following the concert, Hernandez shared a photograph on social media depicting himself and Carpenter seated comfortably together on a couch, with his arm resting across her thigh. This intimate snapshot further fueled fan theories and media conjecture about a possible romantic link between the two celebrities.
While Hernandez is confirmed to be in a relationship with Cabral, Sabrina Carpenter's relationship status has also been a topic of public interest. The singer was previously involved with Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan from 2023 until 2024, when reports indicated the couple had decided to take "a break." A source close to the pair told People magazine at the time, "They are both young and career-focused, so they’ve decided to take a break."
Hernandez's clear statements on the podcast appear to definitively settle the matter, reinforcing that his bond with Carpenter is purely platonic and rooted in professional respect and friendship.
