Bowen Yang defended his ‘Saturday Night Live’ Chappell Roan Moo Deng joke after fans accused him of making fun of her mental-health struggles
Bowen Yang dressed as Moo Deng, the internet-famous baby hippo, and Colin Jost on the most recent episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
The “Saturday Night Live” cast member Bowen Yang has defended a sketch in which he dressed up as Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippo, to send up the overnight pop sensation Chappell Roan after fans accused him of mocking the singer’s mental-health struggles.
Roan has opened up in recent weeks about how she’s found her meteoric rise to fame this year challenging — including in a conversation with Yang himself for Interview magazine.
The situation has come at a time of reflection for the entertainment industry, as what is widely regarded as the cruel treatment of young stars such as Britney Spears is re-evaluated.
On the “Weekend Update” segment of the latest “SNL” episode, Yang likened the attention Moo Deng had been receiving to Roan’s. In recent interviews and social-media posts, Roan has complained about fans harassing her and said she wouldn’t endorse Kamala Harris or promote certain brands such as H&M.
Roan’s comments prompted some backlash, and fans viewed Yang’s skit in that context.
Moo Deng would never tear down other women like this, bowen yang it’s on sight https://t.co/5wFxDLrqTQ
— Chappell Moam (@scrandrescher) September 29, 2024
something about men making fun of a young woman’s struggle with fame and mental health does not sit right with me. snl is running out of ideas. this isn’t funny and they haven’t been funny for a long time https://t.co/HU2Tv1sl1Y
— ally☽ (@merrinluvr) September 29, 2024
The segment came a day after Roan canceled her appearance at “All Things Go” festival in New York, telling fans on Instagram: “Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it. I feel pressures to prioritize a lot of things right now and I need a few days to prioritize my health.”
Other fans called out Yang for parodying Roan after interviewing her about her mental-health struggles.
mind you bowen yang interviewed chappell not long ago and was saying how much he loves her and kissing her ass. the lesson to learn here is that a gay man is a man before being anything else. https://t.co/QCnhYgvbpy
— a.🦄 (@xcowboygeniusx) September 29, 2024
“The queers are going to make sure you’re okay” a DIRECT QUOTE FROM BOWEN YANG TO CHAPPELL ROAN and THIS is how you treat her??? ☹️☹️☹️ https://t.co/L8zfWlZfAe pic.twitter.com/hPW0ER8wf7
— marcie (@marciesawyers) September 29, 2024
Bowen Yang said he was supporting Chappell Roan
On Sunday, Yang reacted in an Instagram story to a news report that he mocked Roan.
“Oh geeez. ‘Mocks’???” Yang said. “If my personal stance and the piece aren’t absolutely clear in terms of supporting her then there it is I guess.”
Yang added that he believed Roan’s requests for fans to respect her boundaries were “reasonable.”
In the sketch, Yang said, referring to Roan: “And by the way, leave her alone. 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.”
Some fans have defended Yang, saying people didn’t understand that the comedian was being satirical.
bowen yang ur too smart for SNL, ur literally just saying people treat her like a zoo animal and no one is even getting it https://t.co/CNvnikVmVy
— allie/apollo💙💜🩷 (@lavendergraze) September 30, 2024
Bowen Yang is showing us the toxicity of fandoms and expectations through the most cartoonish example of a beloved pygmy hippo https://t.co/gerdSdJMM6
— Tanya Chen (too hotistic to work) (@tanyachen) September 29, 2024
Bowen just talked to Chappell for Interview, is a fan, and… she’s literally hosting this exact show a month from now, so if you’re reading this sketch as Chappell shade I would kindly recommend that you go back to Cocomelon until your cerebral cortex develops a little more https://t.co/3VwISmELHX
