In an unexpected turn of events, Lucy Lawless’s portrayal of Stevie Nicks in a 1998 Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch became a cult classic. Initially hesitant about the performance, Lawless shared her experience during a recent episode of Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast Inside of You. The sketch, titled “Stevie Nicks’ Fajita Roundup,” featured Lawless as Nicks promoting an imaginary Tex-Mex restaurant in Sedona, Arizona. Despite Lawless’s initial reservations and requests to have the segment cut, the skit went on to gain significant popularity, even drawing praise from Nicks herself.

Lawless recounted how she had seen Nicks with strikingly dark eyes in some media appearance and requested similar contact lenses for authenticity. However, these contacts impaired her vision, making the experience more challenging. At the time, Nicks was experiencing a career resurgence, partly due to Fleetwood Mac’s live reunion album The Dance and her own solo work. Former SNL writer Hugh Fink later explained that the sketch aimed to highlight Nicks’s mystical and hippie image while humorously imagining what a '70s rock superstar might be up to decades later.

Despite being a fan of Nicks’s music since childhood, Lawless found it difficult to connect with the humor in the sketch. She felt unsure about its cultural relevance and asked SNL creator Lorne Michaels to remove it. Michaels disagreed, predicting it would become a sleeper hit. His intuition proved correct, as the sketch has remained relevant over the years, often surfacing on social media platforms.

Interestingly, Nicks herself adored the impersonation. According to The Ringer, she told Madison magazine in 2011 that it was one of her all-time favorite things. Initially skeptical, Nicks was pleasantly surprised by Lawless’s performance, praising both her appearance and portrayal. As Nicks prepares for her first SNL appearance since 1983 in October 2024, fans are eagerly hoping for a revival of this beloved sketch.

The enduring appeal of “Stevie Nicks’ Fajita Roundup” underscores the unpredictable nature of comedy and the lasting impact of creative performances. What began as a doubtful venture turned into a cherished moment for fans and a memorable experience for both Lawless and Nicks. This highlights the significance of trusting artistic instincts and the power of unexpected collaborations in entertainment.