Ego Nwodim Reflects on Her Time at “Saturday Night Live” and Decision to Leave
Ego Nwodim recently opened up about her experience on “Saturday Night Live” and her choice to depart from the show just before its 51st season. During an episode of “Sherri,” host Sherri Shepherd brought up the absence of Black women in the “SNL” cast and asked Nwodim about her feelings regarding representation during her tenure on the show.
Nwodim expressed her gratitude at being the seventh Black woman to join the cast, stating, “I hope that there will be more Black women. Punkie Johnson came on the show after me. Who knows who else they’ll find as they explore and seek out other talents?” She emphasized the importance of representing a diverse range of characters and stories during her time on the iconic late-night series.
Having started as a featured player in Season 44 of “SNL” in 2018 before being promoted to the main cast in Season 48 in 2020, Nwodim spent a total of seven seasons on the show. Reflecting on her decision to leave, she likened her experience to being in a long-term relationship, stating, “It’s like being in a marriage. I’ve never done it before, but that show was my longest relationship ever. I’m not a commitment-phobe, but I heard when you’re married, you get the seven-year itch. And it’s like, I wanna date other people! I wanna see some other privates!”
Nwodim humorously shared that it felt like the right time to explore new opportunities and make space for other projects in her career. Her departure from “SNL” marked a significant transition for the talented comedian, as she looks forward to embarking on new creative endeavors.
As Nwodim moves on from her time at “Saturday Night Live,” fans can expect to see her shine in future projects and continue to make her mark in the entertainment industry. Her unique perspective and comedic talent are sure to captivate audiences in whatever she chooses to pursue next.

