Bowen Yang explains real reason why he left 'SNL' after 7 seasons Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY January 7, 2026 at 9:24 AM 0 Bowen Yang is sitting down for his "SNL" exit interview. The "Wicked" star, 35, opened up on the Jan. 7 episode of his "Las Culturistas" podcast with Matt Rogers about his decision to leave "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons. "This is honestly what's behind it: It's time," Yang said on the podcast. "You would do seven seasons, and then you would scoot.
- - Bowen Yang explains real reason why he left 'SNL' after 7 seasons
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY January 7, 2026 at 9:24 AM
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Bowen Yang is sitting down for his "SNL" exit interview.
The "Wicked" star, 35, opened up on the Jan. 7 episode of his "Las Culturistas" podcast with Matt Rogers about his decision to leave "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons.
"This is honestly what's behind it: It's time," Yang said on the podcast. "You would do seven seasons, and then you would scoot."
He continued, "COVID and the current media landscape, the current entertainment ecosystem, is so turbulent that people have completely valid reasons for staying longer, or, in a lot of cases, don't have the privilege of staying on as long as they would like to. I have this very beautiful thing where I get to say that I stayed on exactly as long as I wanted to."
But Yang revealed he almost left the show earlier, noting he was "unsure about going back" for another season over the summer hiatus. In the end, though, he's "so glad" he returned for the fall.
Bowen Yang on "Saturday Night Live" on Dec. 20, 2025.
Yang, who joined the "SNL" cast in 2019, confirmed his exit on Dec. 20 ahead of the show's Christmas episode. This allowed the "SNL" winter finale to serve as a send-off for Yang. The episode included a meta sketch where Yang played an airport employee on his last shift. In it, his character gets emotional about saying goodbye to his job and the people he has worked with, giving Yang an opportunity to say goodbye to "SNL." He was joined on the episode by musical guest Cher and host Ariana Grande, his "Wicked" costar.
Bowen Yang leaving 'Saturday Night Live' after 6 years in shock exit
On "Las Culturistas," Yang revealed that up until the episode began that Saturday night, he was unsure whether his farewell sketch would make it to air or whether it would be cut at the last minute. But Yang got emotional as he recalled "sobbing" when he read a line in the sketch about loving everyone he has worked with, as this reflects his experience on "SNL."
"I cried on Wednesday at the read-through because I was telling the truth, and because there are no other occasions for someone to say that at that place, because we have to be funny and ironic," he said.
Yang did say, though, that he wished more members of the cast could have participated in his farewell sketch. He also revealed the sketch was supposed to play out differently: The original plan was for it to be more comedic, with a greater emphasis on Yang's eggnog machine being on the fritz and spraying people. Before the show, though, "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels came up to Yang and said, "I think it's better if it's just you guys and you just play into the emotion of it."
Bowen Yang attends Las Culturistas Culture Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on July 17, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
After officially departing the show, Yang said on the podcast that he is feeling "so good," though he drew a comparison to the way the presidency ages a person rapidly.
Bowen Yang gets emotional about 'SNL' exit in meta farewell sketch
"I've experienced the full spectrum of things [on 'SNL']," he explained. "Working there is completely dysregulating emotionally. Either you are soaring or you're completely in the dumps."
Yang also looked back on an emotional moment he shared with Amy Poehler about life after "SNL" earlier on in Season 51, when she hosted.
Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of January so far, starting with Teyana Taylor at the Palm Springs Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026, in California.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>New year, new star sightings. With the Oscar nominations in sight, celebrities are kicking off 2026 on the awards circuit, stepping out at events like the Palm Springs International Film Awards and Critics Choice Awards.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of January so far, starting with Teyana Taylor at the Palm Springs Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026, in California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Axcr3j2 class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
New year, new star sightings. With the Oscar nominations in sight, celebrities are kicking off 2026 on the awards circuit, stepping out at events like the Palm Springs International Film Awards and Critics Choice Awards.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of January so far, starting with Teyana Taylor at the Palm Springs Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026, in California.
">New year, new star sightings. With the Oscar nominations in sight, celebrities are kicking off 2026 on the awards circuit, stepping out at events like the Palm Springs International Film Awards and Critics Choice Awards.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of January so far, starting with Teyana Taylor at the Palm Springs Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026, in California.
" src=https://ift.tt/Axcr3j2 class=caas-img>From left, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro attend the Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 4, 2026, in Santa Monica, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KAZiOnu class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
From left, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro attend the Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 4, 2026, in Santa Monica, California.
">From left, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro attend the Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 4, 2026, in Santa Monica, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/KAZiOnu class=caas-img>Jessie Buckley
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Jessie Buckley
">Jessie Buckley
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Kylie Jenner, left, and Timothée Chalamet
">Kylie Jenner, left, and Timothée Chalamet
" src=https://ift.tt/eSdAZQF class=caas-img>Paul W. Downs, left, and Megan Stalter
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Paul W. Downs, left, and Megan Stalter
">Paul W. Downs, left, and Megan Stalter
" src=https://ift.tt/04kICX6 class=caas-img>Amy Madigan
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Vu2pnyB class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Amy Madigan
">Amy Madigan
" src=https://ift.tt/Vu2pnyB class=caas-img>Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9kvIdGa class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami
">Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami
" src=https://ift.tt/9kvIdGa class=caas-img>Jacob Elordi
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Hyflqp2 class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Jacob Elordi
">Jacob Elordi
" src=https://ift.tt/Hyflqp2 class=caas-img>From left, Shawn Hatosy, Katherine LaNasa, Noah Wyle and Patrick Ball
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9MiNjSO class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
From left, Shawn Hatosy, Katherine LaNasa, Noah Wyle and Patrick Ball
">From left, Shawn Hatosy, Katherine LaNasa, Noah Wyle and Patrick Ball
" src=https://ift.tt/9MiNjSO class=caas-img>Rhea Seehorn
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MX9n7CQ class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Rhea Seehorn
">Rhea Seehorn
" src=https://ift.tt/MX9n7CQ class=caas-img>From left, Seth Rogen, Chase Sui Wonders and Ike Barinholtz
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vx3Lt7E class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
From left, Seth Rogen, Chase Sui Wonders and Ike Barinholtz
">From left, Seth Rogen, Chase Sui Wonders and Ike Barinholtz
" src=https://ift.tt/vx3Lt7E class=caas-img>Jean Smart
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NZ5X7My class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Jean Smart
">Jean Smart
" src=https://ift.tt/NZ5X7My class=caas-img>Janelle James
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Janelle James
">Janelle James
" src=https://ift.tt/E8alMSO class=caas-img>Tramell Tillman
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Tramell Tillman
">Tramell Tillman
" src=https://ift.tt/dTygFPn class=caas-img>Sebastian Maniscalco, left, and Marcello Hernández
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Sebastian Maniscalco, left, and Marcello Hernández
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Sarah Snook
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" data-src=https://ift.tt/JwHQBvT class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Ariana Grande
">Ariana Grande
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Odessa A'zion
">Odessa A'zion
" src=https://ift.tt/03y5ch8 class=caas-img>Kristen Stewart attends the Variety Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch during Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 4.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/H4no5tc class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Kristen Stewart attends the Variety Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch during Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 4.
">Kristen Stewart attends the Variety Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch during Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 4.
" src=https://ift.tt/H4no5tc class=caas-img>Dwayne Johnson, left, and Colman Domingo
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rJqTM6F class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Dwayne Johnson, left, and Colman Domingo
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" data-src=https://ift.tt/MF8dfUC class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Chase Infiniti
">Chase Infiniti
" src=https://ift.tt/MF8dfUC class=caas-img>Timothée Chalamet with his Spotlight Actor of the Year Awards on Jan. 3 at Palm Springs Film Awards.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xn2fl1e class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Timothée Chalamet with his Spotlight Actor of the Year Awards on Jan. 3 at Palm Springs Film Awards.
">Timothée Chalamet with his Spotlight Actor of the Year Awards on Jan. 3 at Palm Springs Film Awards.
" src=https://ift.tt/xn2fl1e class=caas-img>Miley Cyrus
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Miley Cyrus
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Amanda Seyfried
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Mia Goth
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Jacob Elordi
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" src=https://ift.tt/RTgaIit class=caas-img>Oscar Isaac
" data-src=https://ift.tt/u4e0Ecg class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Oscar Isaac
">Oscar Isaac
" src=https://ift.tt/u4e0Ecg class=caas-img>Kate Hudson
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bU37kFG class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Kate Hudson
">Kate Hudson
" src=https://ift.tt/bU37kFG class=caas-img>Renate Reinsve
" data-src=https://ift.tt/s0VeEDr class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Renate Reinsve
">Renate Reinsve
" src=https://ift.tt/s0VeEDr class=caas-img>Jessie Buckley
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8KiGAFt class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Jessie Buckley
">Jessie Buckley
" src=https://ift.tt/8KiGAFt class=caas-img>Paul Mescal
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z1kW27o class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Paul Mescal
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" src=https://ift.tt/Z1kW27o class=caas-img>Michael B. Jordan
" data-src=https://ift.tt/k8QJpEI class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Michael B. Jordan
">Michael B. Jordan
" src=https://ift.tt/k8QJpEI class=caas-img>Elle Fanning
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BlKnS69 class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Elle Fanning
">Elle Fanning
" src=https://ift.tt/BlKnS69 class=caas-img>Rose Byrne, left, and Meghann Fahy
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IAKB3bj class=caas-img data-headline="See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Rose Byrne, left, and Meghann Fahy
">Rose Byrne, left, and Meghann Fahy
" src=https://ift.tt/IAKB3bj class=caas-img>
1 / 34See Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande in the best celebrity photos of January
New year, new star sightings. With the Oscar nominations in sight, celebrities are kicking off 2026 on the awards circuit, stepping out at events like the Palm Springs International Film Awards and Critics Choice Awards.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of January so far, starting with Teyana Taylor at the Palm Springs Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026, in California.
"[She] puts a hand on my shoulder, looks into my eyes, and goes, 'We're all waiting for you on the other side,'" he recalled. "I was like, 'This is crazy.' ... It does feel like I've died."
Yang previously reflected, in his Instagram post announcing his "SNL" departure, that "at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile," working on the show "taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile."
"SNL" will return for its first episode of 2026 on Jan. 17 with host Finn Wolfhard.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'SNL' star Bowen Yang explains why he left 'Saturday Night Live'
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 07, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: RED MAG
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