'SNL' star Chloe Troast exits show, was 'not asked back'
"Saturday Night Live" is adding some new stars — and dropping one.
The NBC sketch show announced Monday it has hired three featured players for the upcoming 50th season: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline.
But Chloe Troast, who joined "SNL" last year, announced she won't be returning to the show. In an Instagram post, the comedian, 27, made clear the exit wasn't her decision.
"Unfortunately I was not asked back to 'SNL' this season," Troast wrote. "I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there, it truly felt like home. But it wasn't in the cards."
She went on to thank "everyone who supported me," adding, "I hope I was able to spread joy and laughter, all love. Onwards and upwards."
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Some of Troast's most notable performances during her one-season run included a sketch where she played an orphan singing to the moon, which had Timothée Chalamet's face in it, and a cold open where she played Rep. Elise Stefanik during a congressional hearing about antisemitism on college campuses.
Troast was the latest "SNL" star to depart the show ahead of its landmark 50th season. Punkie Johnson, who was hired in 2020, and Molly Kearney, who joined in 2022 as the show's first non-binary cast member, both previously confirmed their exits.
When do new episodes of 'SNL' come out?Season 50 premiere date and what we know so far
Johnson later said on Dana Carvey and David Spade's "Fly on the Wall" podcast that she didn't "really feel like I fit" on the show given she has more experience in stand-up than sketch comedy. But she said she has already been receiving other job opportunities since her departure was announced.
'SNL' star Punkie Johnsonreveals why she left the show
"It's going to be very different, but I'm excited," Johnson said. "I'm super excited. I'm working on a movie that ('SNL' creator) Lorne (Michaels) is also helping me do, I'm putting together my special that Lorne's also helping me do. So my relationship with the show is still strong. Mutually, we just understood that it wasn't my zone."
In an Instagram post in August, Kearney said that starring on "SNL" was "such a dream come true."
"So incredibly grateful for this period in my life," Kearney wrote. "So much love to all my big hearted buddies behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week. So many bald caps, so little time."
When does 'SNL' Season 50 air?
"SNL" will return for its new season on Sept. 28, and a 50th anniversary special is scheduled for Feb. 16. Maya Rudolph is set to reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harris leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
