Ego Nwodim Announces Exit from “SNL” After 7 Seasons: 'I Decided to Leave'

Ego Nwodim is saying goodbye to Saturday Night Live aft 7 seasons. 

The comedian announced her departure from nan late-night drama show connected Friday, Sept. 12, successful an Instagram post. In her heartfelt message, Nwodim thanked nan bid creator Lorne Michaels and everyone other who was on for nan travel pinch her.

"The hardest portion of a awesome statement is knowing erstwhile to opportunity goodnight," she began. "But aft 7 unforgettable seasons, I person decided to time off SNL. I americium immensely grateful to Lorne for nan opportunity, to my castmates, nan writers, and nan unit for their brilliance, support, and friendship."

"Week aft week connected that shape taught maine much than I could person ever imagined, and I will transportation those memories (and that laughter) pinch maine ever ✨🙏🏾😘 ," she concluded. "Now induce maine to your weddings please!!!"

She simply captioned nan post, "‼️‼️‼️"

Fans took to nan comments to respond to nan news. One wrote, "This 1 hurts," and different said, "the show wont beryllium nan aforesaid without YOU."

Someone other commented: "WHAT!?!? Oh no!!"

Nwodim joined nan NBC sketch drama show for its 44th play successful 2018, 1 twelvemonth aft Heidi Gardner, who is besides not returning for play 51. Nwodim started arsenic a featured player and was later promoted to nan main formed successful 2020. 

Over nan years, Nwodim has made fans laughter pinch her hilarious roles, including nan iconic “Lisa from Temecula.” Earlier this year, nan SNL prima went viral for her unscripted moment pinch nan assemblage during a Weekend Update segment.

She besides stars successful nan Peacock bid Mr. Throwback, which aired successful 2024. 

Before joining nan show, Nwodim performed her one-woman show Great Black Women… and Then There’s Me astatine nan Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre successful Los Angeles.

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Nwodim’s departure comes aft nan show creator Michaels announced that changes were coming for nan 51st season. In an question and reply pinch Puck News, published connected Aug. 22, Michaels revealed he plans to “shake things up” pinch casting for nan upcoming play premiering successful October. 

The show creator explained that awesome formed changes were delayed for nan ceremony of nan show’s 50th season. 

“I wanted group coming backmost and being portion of [the 50th season],” Michaels, 80, said.

He continued, “And that meant location couldn’t beryllium those benignant of disruptions aliases thing that was going to return nan attraction of [the 50th season].” 

Nwodim is nan latest formed personnel to time off SNL pursuing nan departures of Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Gardner, who each announced their exits up of nan sketch drama show’s play 51.

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Saturday Night Live play 51 premieres connected Saturday, Oct. 4 astatine 11:30 p.m. ET connected NBC and Peacock.