Punkie Johnson Confirms She’s Leaving ‘SNL’: There’s ‘No Bad Blood’

Punkie Johnson will be stepping away from Saturday Night Live . On Thursday, the comedian confirmed in an Instagram video that she won’t be joining the show’s 50th season , saying there’s “no bridges burned” with the crew.

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“After four seasons, I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th,” Johnson said, sharing that she was asked about her return to SNL for the new season during a stand-up show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall the night prior. “I don’t lie to my friends so I just said, ‘I ain’t coming back.'”

Johnson said she woke up Thursday morning to texts and messages from folks asking about her comments as she made it clear that there was no negativity associated with her exit. “It’s no bad blood, it’s no bridges burned, it’s no hard feelings,” Johnson said. “Bro, I love my people! I didn’t think none of this was going to be a big deal.”

“‘SNL’ was a dream I didn’t even know that I could achieve,” she added. “I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it. That’s still my people. I love them. I’m gonna be at the after-parties acting a plumb fool! My time now has come to an end, and, um, Punkie outside now, y’all!”

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Johnson was featured on Saturday Night Live in 2020 and was promoted to be part of the cast in 2022. She appeared in numerous sketches, doing impressions of Ice Spice, Queen Latifah, Gayle King, and many others. “SNL I LOVE YOU… LOOKING FORWARD TO WHATS NEXT!!!” she captioned in her farewell post.

The news of her departure arrives a day after it was confirmed that Maya Rudolph will return this fall to portray Vice President Kamala Harris .

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