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It’s not just us who are upset about Ego Nwodim’s sudden exit from Saturday Night Live<\/em>.<\/p>\n Days after SNL<\/em> announced its supposedly finalized cast list for season 51, Nwodim shared on Instagram<\/a> on Friday morning that she was not returning for the late-night sketch comedy show’s 51st season.<\/p>\n “The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL<\/em>,” Nwodim wrote in a statement. “I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship.”<\/p>\n After the announcement was made, many former and current SNL <\/em>cast members and writers wished her luck in the comment section, including Rosebud Baker, Chloe Fineman<\/a>, Alex English, Cecily Strong and Punkie Johnson.<\/p>\n Following the announcement, one of Nwodim’s most memorable impressions \u2014 Dionne Warwick<\/a> \u2014 marked the moment with a tribute of her own on social media.<\/p>\n Nwodim has impersonated the singer and talk show host multiple times on SNL<\/em> \u2014 twice during Season 46 and once during Season 47, where Warwick herself appeared<\/a> in the sketch.<\/p>\n “Dear Dionne, Congratulations on seven wonderful seasons. \ud83e\udd70 Love, Dionne,” the 84-year-old entertainer posted on X<\/a>, along with a photo of the duo hugging backstage.<\/p>\n The comedian’s exit comes amid a major cast shake-up, with Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow<\/a> also not returning. Baker, Steven Castillo, Celeste Yim and John Higgins from the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy also announced that they were not returning next season as writers.<\/p>\n Nwodim is leaving the show following the show’s milestone 50th season. The 37-year-old actress joined the cast of SNL <\/em>as a featured player before the start of its 44th season in 2018. Since then, she has been known for many of her impressions and her character “Lisa from Temecula,” <\/a>which went viral on social media.<\/p>\n Though NBC has not announced a premiere date for Season 51, the show typically returns from its summer hiatus in late September or early October.<\/p>\n The cast expected to come back next season includes Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson,\u00a0Sarah Sherman,\u00a0Kenan Thompson<\/a>, Bowen Yang, Ashley Padilla, Jane Wickline and “Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost<\/a> and Michael Che.<\/p>\n Fans can watch Nwodim and previous seasons of SNL <\/em>on Peacock.<\/p>\n Related: Another Regular Cast Member Departs \u2018Saturday Night Live\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Related: ‘SNL’ Cast Member Reacts After Landing Role in New Comedy Movie<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n