Ego Nwodim’s decision to leave SNL caused shock and debate: why did she leave?
6 october 2025 в 18:13
The reshuffling of the Saturday Night Live team for 2025 sparked lively debates online as new actors joined the show. One of the most shocking departures was that of Ego Nwodim, who had been a fan favorite for seven seasons on NBC’s comedy series. So why did Ego leave SNL?
Here Hollywood Life explains everything we know about Ego’s departure from SNL and more about the Season 51 cast.
Here are the current members of the SNL team:
Main Players:
New Actors:
Each team member had their own reason for leaving. Some left of their own accord, while others implied they were fired. Based on Emil’s statement, it seemed like he was fired from the show.
«I will not be returning to SNL next year», - Emil wrote on Instagram in August 2025. «It was a gut punch, but I am so grateful for my time there».
Ego said she left SNL because it was a «stepping stone» in her career, and she wanted to move forward.
«I have so much I want to do, and SNL has always been a stepping stone for me», - the comedian said at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York in September 2025, according to Today.
Ego left the show a few weeks before the premiere of Season 51. In a statement she posted on Instagram, the former team member wrote, «The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say 'goodnight.' But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to [creator] Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity, to my castmates, writers, and crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have imagined, and I will always carry those memories (and that laughter) with me».
Ego is looking forward to starting a new chapter in her career, noting that she may pursue directing and writing «in a different capacity».
«I have so many ideas that I need time to bring to life, and I am looking forward to that», - she said in September 2025, according to Today. «So, directing, more writing in a different capacity. Very exciting stuff»
Here Hollywood Life explains everything we know about Ego’s departure from SNL and more about the Season 51 cast.
Here are the current members of the SNL team:
Main Players:
New Actors:
Each team member had their own reason for leaving. Some left of their own accord, while others implied they were fired. Based on Emil’s statement, it seemed like he was fired from the show.
«I will not be returning to SNL next year», - Emil wrote on Instagram in August 2025. «It was a gut punch, but I am so grateful for my time there».
Ego said she left SNL because it was a «stepping stone» in her career, and she wanted to move forward.
«I have so much I want to do, and SNL has always been a stepping stone for me», - the comedian said at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York in September 2025, according to Today.
Ego left the show a few weeks before the premiere of Season 51. In a statement she posted on Instagram, the former team member wrote, «The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say 'goodnight.' But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to [creator] Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity, to my castmates, writers, and crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have imagined, and I will always carry those memories (and that laughter) with me».
Ego is looking forward to starting a new chapter in her career, noting that she may pursue directing and writing «in a different capacity».
«I have so many ideas that I need time to bring to life, and I am looking forward to that», - she said in September 2025, according to Today. «So, directing, more writing in a different capacity. Very exciting stuff»
© Kolganov Andrey
