Melissa Villaseñor Addresses SNL Exit, Says She Is 'Forever Grateful' for Getting to 'Experience My Kid Dream'

Melissa Villaseñor is weighing in on her Saturday Night Live departure.

As we reported Thursday, Villaseñor is among three SNL cast members not returning for Season 48, joining Alex Moffat and Aristotle Athari. Their exits follow the previously announced departures of SNL vets Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon and Kyle Mooney.

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“Oh my sweetie fans, my Melissa monsters, I know ‘thas sah’ me leaving the show, but! I felt this was my soul telling me it’s time to spread my wings,” Villaseñor wrote on Twitter over the weekend. “Lots more for me to dig in and discover. What an honor to experience my kid dream… forever grateful.”

As for what she’ll do next, “I am gonna be proud for a while, travel, enjoy life, do more volunteer work, spend time with my family,” she said. “From there art blooms.”

Rumors of Villaseñor’s departure first started circulating in August after the comedian shared a steady stream of SNL memories on her Instagram Story — a series of behind-the-scenes photos and videos that culminated in a title card that read “The End.” Soon after she announced a fall standup tour, with dates spanning October through November.

Villaseñor first joined SNL in 2016, at the start of Season 42. She became known for her myriad impressions — including, but not limited to: Owen Wilson, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Sarah Silverman, John Mulaney and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — and has been a frequent contributor to Weekend Update.

SNL‘s Season 47 ensemble consisted of 21 (!) cast members, including repertory players Bryant, Michael Che, Davidson, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Colin Jost, McKinnon, Moffat, Mooney, Ego Nwodim, Chris Redd, Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson, Villaseñor and Bowen Yang, as well as featured players Athari, Andrew Dismukes, Punkie Johnson, James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman. That doesn’t even include the Please Don’t Destroy trio, consisting of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, who contributed digital shorts.

A premiere date for Season 48 has not yet been announced.

Launch Gallery: <i>Saturday Night Live</i> Season 48 Host Speculation: Tom Cruise? Kaley Cuoco? Keke Palmer? Millie Bobby Brown?

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