Bowen Yang’s take on the Chappell Roan discourse is sparking a debate of its own.
On September 28, Saturday Night Live returned for it’s 50th season, enlisting Jean Smart and Jelly Roll for the coveted host and musical guest positions. Even so, it was Bowen Yang who stole the show, delivering multiple viral performances as JD Vance, Charli XCX, and Moo Deng. But while his impressions of the republican politician and British brat were largely met with praise on X.com, his depiction of the hippo-fluencer was much more controversial.
During Yang’s appearance on “Weekend Update,” he used Moo Deng (and a very dewy hippo costume) to comment on the evolving discourse surrounding 26-year-old Midwestern pop star Chappell Roan. As Moo Deng, Yang set boundaries with fans, echoing sentiments recently expressed by Roan in a series of viral TikToks. Of course, Yang adjusted Moo Deng’s pleas to fit the baby hippo’s specific experiences.
“Reminder: women owe you nothing,” Yang said as Moo Deng. “When I’m in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer’s knee, I’m at work, that is the project. Do not yell my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial bestie or because you appreciate my talent.” The talent, of course, is “having a slippery body that bounces.”
If it wasn’t obvious enough that Yang was referencing Roan, he described Moo Deng as “your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo” before directly discussing the pop star—who has been receiving a mix of criticism and support from fans over her thoughts on fame as well as this year’s presidential election. After facing backlash for noting “problems on both sides” of the aisle, Roan confirmed she’s voting for Kamala Harris but does not wish to endorse a candidate that does not fully align with her values. A few days later, she canceled two festival appearances to focus on her health after an “overwhelming” few weeks, which only sparked further debate about what celebrities “owe” their fans.
“Leave her alone,” Yang’s Moo Deng said of Roan. “Let her take as much time as she needs for her mental health. We both deserve patience and grace, so stop harassing her and stop throwing shellfish at her…This is what society does: It puts young women on pedestals, only to knock them down with shellfish.”
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