Bowen Yang, known for his recent successful projects, is set to leave the cast of Saturday Night Live during this season after tonight’s episode featuring his friend, Ariana Grande from Wicked. Yang initially joined the show as a writer in 2018, then transitioned to a featured player and eventually earned a spot in the main cast after two seasons. Throughout his time on the show, Yang garnered five Emmy nominations and became a beloved figure among fans.
While an official statement from SNL regarding Yang’s departure was not provided on Friday, his representatives remained silent in response to requests for comments via email. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Yang expressed his fondness for his time at SNL, highlighting the value of the relationships he built at the iconic 30 Rock studio.
This mid-season departure from SNL follows similar moves by past cast members like Cecily Strong in December 2022. Prior to this announcement, Yang had openly discussed the possibility of leaving the show, as revealed in an interview with People magazine where he deliberated the decision with Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, who encouraged him to stay.
Yang, aged 35, recently appeared in promotional material for Saturday’s episode alongside Grande and Cher, engaging in light-hearted moments with the legendary singer. The news of Yang’s exit comes after a wave of departures by various cast members last summer ahead of Season 51.
A multi-talented individual, Yang co-hosts the popular podcast Las Culturistas with comedian Matt Rogers and has been involved in productions like Wicked and The Wedding Banquet. Born to Chinese immigrants in Australia and raised in Canada, Yang holds dual American and Canadian citizenships. In a recent interview with Esquire, he expressed his desire not to be typecast solely based on his ethnicity and orientation, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and freedom outside of work.
