NEW YORK (AP) – Bowen Yang, a prominent figure on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), is set to depart the show mid-season following an episode hosted by his close friend, Ariana Grande. Yang joined SNL as a writer in 2018, transitioned to a featured player the next season, and was promoted to the main cast in his third season. Over the years, he has emerged as a fan favorite, earning five Emmy nominations in recognition of his talents.
On Friday, a representative from SNL declined to comment on Yang’s departure, and his representatives did not respond to inquiries for comment. In an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, Yang reflected on his time at SNL, stating, “I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people." He highlighted how his experience at the storied 30 Rockefeller Center helped him find value even during difficult global circumstances.
The 35-year-old Yang appeared alongside Grande and musical guest Cher in promotional materials for the upcoming Saturday show. In these promos, Yang displayed a humorous chemistry with Grande after a comical face slap from Cher. His unexpected departure follows a significant exodus of cast members that occurred last summer, ahead of the October 4 start of Season 51. Notable cast members who left included Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and John Higgins.
Yang's decision to leave was not entirely unexpected. He had previously shared his thoughts about the potential departure during a discussion with SNL's creator, Lorne Michaels. Although Michael initially encouraged him by saying, "You have more to do," Yang ultimately decided that it was time to move on.
Reflecting on his time with Michaels, Yang expressed gratitude, stating, “That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show." He praised the people he worked with, saying, "I really love each of them so much." Besides his work on SNL, Yang co-hosts the pop culture podcast “Las Culturistas” with fellow comedian Matt Rogers. He also appeared in the Broadway production of “Wicked” as Pfannee and co-starred in the remade version of “The Wedding Banquet” earlier in the year.
Yang's recent projects include roles in “Dicks: The Musical” in 2023 and “Fire Island” in 2022. He was also a co-star in the Comedy Central series “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens,” which aired from 2020 to 2023. In a throwback to his comedic roots, Yang and Rogers hosted the Las Culturista Culture Awards on Bravo last summer, announcing their return for the next installment of the pop culture comedy event.
Mid-season departures from SNL have occurred in the past, with Cecily Strong making a similar exit in December 2022. Yang’s breakout sketches included his portrayal of the Titanic iceberg during the “Weekend Update” segment and other memorable characters, such as George Santos and a gay Oompa Loompa. In an October interview with Esquire, Yang expressed his frustration at being pigeonholed, emphasizing that his work extends beyond his identities as a queer Asian performer.
Yang highlighted a shift in his priorities, stating that while work used to be paramount, he now finds greater meaning in personal relationships and life outside of showbiz. He recalled valuable advice from Kristen Wiig, who once told him, “Have fun. It’s the most fun job in the world, and you’ll miss it when it’s done.” With this sentiment, Yang acknowledges the joy he found during his time at SNL, leaving behind a legacy as one of its most beloved cast members.
