Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Posted: 2024-08-02T00:14:38Z | Updated: 2024-08-02T12:19:27Z

Punkie Johnson announced that after four years she will not be returning as a cast member on Saturday Night Live next season.

I just want to let you know after four seasons, I will not be returning to SNL for the 50th, Johnson said Thursday in a video on Instagram.

Johnson, 36, made history in 2020 when she joined SNL and became the first out queer Black cast member on the show, following Danitra Vance, a Black lesbian cast member who was not publicly out during her time on SNL in 1985.

In an interview with NBC News in 2020, Johnson shared how surreal joining SNL has been for her.

It wasnt even a dream because I never thought that I would get there. Thats how surprised I was, she said. Im just this little lesbian chick from New Orleans who is just enjoying life doing comedy and thinking thats it.

HuffPost reached out to Johnsons team for comment on why she is leaving the show but did not receive an immediate response.