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topicnews · September 30, 2024

Chappell Roan’s ‘SNL’ bit sparks backlash, Bowen Yang responds

Chappell Roan’s ‘SNL’ bit sparks backlash, Bowen Yang responds

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Did a recent “SNL” sketch mentioning Chappell Roan mock or support the singer? The fans can’t decide, but the star of the piece speaks out.

On Saturday, the NBC sketch show’s Weekend Update featured a segment in which Bowen Yang appeared as Moo Deng, a hippopotamus from the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand who became a viral sensation this year. In the segment, Yang, dressed in a hippopotamus suit, depicted Moo Deng being overwhelmed by newfound fame and complaining about harassment from fans.

As the segment continued, it became increasingly clear that Moo Deng was brought in to replace Roan, who has spoken out against the harassment and stalking he has experienced from fans in recent months. The 26-year-old “Hot to Go” singer also said she was overwhelmed by her sudden rise to stardom.

“It’s gotten to the point where I need to set some boundaries,” Yang’s Moo Deng says in the “SNL” segment. “Reminder: Women don’t owe you anything!”

“If I trip over things in my enclosure or bite my trainer in the knee, I’m at work. This is the project. Don’t scream my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial best friend or because you appreciate my talent.”

Chappell Roan speaks out against “creepy behavior” from fans: “That’s not normal”

Weekend Update host Colin Jost made the connection clear, noting, “Your life sounds a lot like Chappell Roan’s lately.”

Yang’s Moo Deng defended Roan by saying, “Leave her alone! Let her take as much time as she needs for her mental health. We both deserve patience and mercy, so stop harassing her and stop throwing shellfish at her.”

“I don’t think she has that problem,” Jost joked.

‘SNL’ Parody Segment on Chappell Roan Draws Mixed Reactions: ‘Beyond Unfunny’

When a clip of the segment was shared on social media, reactions were mixed. Some expressed outrage that the show appeared to downplay Roan’s experiences with abuse and harassment.

“Chappell’s family was stalked and she was sexually harassed,” reads an X post that received over 90,000 likes. “This is beyond unfunny.”

Chappell Roan cancels two festival appearances: “Things have become overwhelming”

“Two men making fun of a woman’s mental health is really nice,” another X reply said.

YouTuber Jessie Earl asked: “So the joke is that a woman talking about the harassment and stalking she received as a prominent woman is a giant, ridiculous hippo who should be okay with it?” Did I miss something?”

“It may have been his intention to be compassionate, but the fact that no one thought that perhaps comparing the lesbian woman currently being subjected to mass harassment to a hippopotamus was a bad idea is a big problem “Earl continued.

Others argued that the sketch was not mocking Roan’s situation and was on her side.

“There’s nothing offensive about this,” said one X user. “They’re literally just saying, ‘Stop treating Chappell Roan like a zoo animal.’ Hold on tight, people.

Bowen Yang supports Chappell Roan after ‘SNL’ sketch

Amid the criticism, Yang took to his Instagram Story to clarify the intention behind the sketch. The comedian protested a headline that suggested the segment “mocked” the singer.

“If my personal stance and the article are not entirely clear about her support, that is probably because it is,” he wrote, adding that “everything she has ever asked for has been reasonable.”

Yang previously sat down with Roan for an article in Interview Magazine published in August. “I hope you feel rewarded for being honest about what the last few months have been like for you,” he told her.

The “SNL” segment came after Roan canceled her scheduled festival appearances in New York and Maryland, sharing, “Things have gotten overwhelming over the last few weeks and I’m really feeling it. I’m feeling pressure to prioritize a lot of things right now.” I need a few days to prioritize my health.

The singer is scheduled to appear as a musical guest on “SNL” in November on an episode hosted by John Mulaney.

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