Bowen Yang says he wasn’t ‘mocking’ Chappell Roan on Saturday Night time Stay (Saturday Night time Stay)
Saturday Night time Stay (SNL) star Bowen Yang has denied mocking Chappell Roan after performing a sketch dressed as viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng.
We all know, these are phrases that we by no means anticipated to see strung collectively, both.
In the course of the season 50 premiere of iconic sketch comedy programme Saturday Night time Stay that includes Hacks‘ Jean Good as host and Jelly Roll as musical visitor, everybody’s favorite viral pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, additionally made an look.
Clearly it wasn’t the Moo Deng, however somewhat Fireplace Island‘s Bowen Yang dressed because the lovable hippo, becoming a member of Colin Jost for SNL’s Weekend Replace section.
This model of Moo Deng was – undeniably – drawing parallels with “Good Luck, Babe!” singer Chappell Roan, who has lately been open regarding her struggles with fame, fan interactions and limits.
“This summer time, a two-month-old pygmy hippo in Thailand named Moo Deng grew to become a viral sensation, inflicting large crowds at her zoo enclosure,” Jost mentioned earlier than introducing Yang. “With some unruly followers throwing bananas and shellfish at her to get her consideration. Right here to remark is Moo Deng.”
Upon her entrance, Moo Deng requested the gang to “cease clapping”, earlier than commenting on the true Moo Deng’s viral success.
“For the previous 10 weeks, I’ve been going nonstop — operating round, consuming lettuce, attempting to chew the water from a hose, and the response has been overwhelming. But it surely has come to the purpose the place I must set some boundaries,” she mentioned.
“Reminder: ladies owe you nothing. Once I’m in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my coach’s knee… I’m at work. That’s the undertaking. Don’t yell my title or count on a photograph simply because I’m your ‘parasocial bestie,’ or since you admire my expertise.”
Jost requested, “Your expertise… what’s your expertise?” earlier than Moo Deng replied: “Having a slippery physique that bounces. Earlier than me, the one hippos in media have been both ‘hungry, hungry’ or Jada Pinkett Smith in Madagascar.”
Moo Deng then referenced Chappell Roan’s reference to (and relationship with) drag celebrity Sasha Colby: “However now I’m your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo. And I’m… thirsty, thirsty. Hose!”
Many watching the present have taken to social media to slam Yang for “mocking” Chappell Roan’s plea for boundaries together with her followers, with one even writing: “The lesson to be taught right here is {that a} homosexual man is a person earlier than being the rest.”
Yang, nevertheless, who lately spoke to Chappell Roan for Interview Journal, has rejected the declare, taking to his Instagram Story to spell it out for followers of the “Pink Pony Membership” songstress.
“Oh geeez. ‘Mocks’???” Yang wrote in response to a Selection article that outlined all of the references Moo Deng made to Chappell’s fame.
If my private stance and the piece aren’t completely clear when it comes to supporting her, then there it’s, I suppose. Every part she has ever requested for has been cheap, and even then, we are able to join it to a different story about boundaries or no matter. Needing the hose [right now].”
Later within the section, Chappell Roan is purchased up straight; Jost tells Yang/ Moo Deng: “Your life sounds lots like Chappell Roan’s these days.”
Moo Deng replied: “By the way in which, go away her alone. Let her take as a lot time as she wants for her psychological well being. We each deserve endurance and style… so cease harassing her, and cease throwing shellfish at her.
“That is what society does: it places younger ladies on pedestals solely to knock them down with shellfish. And likewise, I do know I’m solely 10 weeks previous, however this is essential to me, so please pay attention: I cannot be making an endorsement on this 12 months’s election.”
Chappell Roan, who has lately had a sudden rise to stratospheric fame, has detailed the “harassment” she’s endured by the hands of ‘followers’, together with stalking.
She then later took to TikTok to make clear statements made after she hadn’t endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 election, including: “Yeah, I’m voting for f**king Kamala.”