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Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Who is leaving SNL? Veteran SNL cast member Kenan Thompson hints at major shakeup
Veteran SNL cast member Kenan Thompson hinted at some major changes to the sketch comedy show's upcoming season. Thompson, who joined the popular NBC show in 2003, said concluding the 50th season - which wrapped up earlier this month - was 'bittersweet.' 'Especially this year where it feels like there's maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,' the 47-year-old comedian told Page Six Wednesday while attending the Reel Works 24th Changemakers Gala. Thompson, who sported a vibrant green shirt, black coat, large black sunglasses, white sneakers and gold chains, made it clear that change isn't something everyone is onboard with. 'You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it's always like you want your kids to stay young,' he added. Of all the current cast members, The 'All That' alum has the longest running history with the show with 22 seasons under his belt. Although he's been an iconic part of the show for decades, Thompson told the outlet he has yet to sign his contract for a 23rd season. 'You just never know what the future holds. I don't want to be in the way of someone else or I don't want to be the stale old man riding the same thing,' Thompson explained. 'That doesn't really happen that much at 'SNL' but there's no guarantees, I guess.' Despite not knowing what the future might hold for him or his fellow cast members, Thompson appeared to be eager to return. 'I mean, I love that place. It's one of my favorite places to be,' he said. Although there is no clear release date for the next season, SNL typically premieres in the early fall. Thompson spoke out after the 50th season concluded on May 17 as a few cast members jokingly teased some changes that might come in the future. During the episode, Sarah Sherman, who joined the cast in 2021, appeared surprised when one of her cast mates joked she would be leaving. Meanwhile, Weekend Update host Colin Jost teased he was looking to replace Lorne Michaels - the boss of SNL. Michaels, 80, has been with the hit show since 1975. He briefly left the comedy skit in the early 1980s, missing seasons six through 10. In September, he told The Hollywood Reporter he plans on staying, and also addressed the backlash the show has received for its political commentary. 'It's always going to be described the same way, which is "uneven," and yet people have decided somehow that it's important,' he said. 'And so as long as it's important and I can be useful, I'll stay.' In recent seasons, especially since President Donald Trump returned to office, the sketch comedy has hit on many pressing issues in the US, leaving some disappointed with the show. Well-known cast members portray not just Trump but others in his administration, including Elon Musk, Marco Rubio, Jeanine Pirro and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Just before the 50th season finale aired, fans claimed Jost was gearing up to leave Saturday Night Live. Jost, 42, joined the comedy show in 2005 during season 31 as a writer. Over the years he rose through the ranks, becoming a writing supervisor and then co-head writer alongside Seth Meyers in 2012. Currently, Jost serves as the co-anchor of Weekend Update with Michael Che. However, after two decades many people believed Jost was going to announce his departure on the finale, which was hosted by his wife Scarlett Johansson and musical guest Bad Bunny. 'There's no proof but they've been the longest-running update anchors for a while,' someone chimed in on Reddit. 'There's expected to be a decent turnover after the 50th season of people who stayed to be a part of it. Add in his wife hosting the season finale and I wouldn't be surprised if it is his last episode.' 'I think Colin Jost is leaving SNL and Michael Longfellow is gonna take his spot on weekend update mark my words,' hypothesized another. The comedian himself has not shared anything about his rumored final episode, but in September 2024, he and Che were asked about the topic on The Howard Stern Show. 'I wanna leave because I just feel like I miss stand-up,' Che said. 'I feel like, first of all, you're very good at it and it is rewarding for you, even though you're often like, "I want to do other stuff",' Jost chimed in. 'It's hard to imagine being gone. My brain is on the clock of Saturday Night Live,' Che told his coworker. 'People get burned out in ways you don't see. People get burned out in a different way, when you have that level of heat for a while. It's hard to keep doing it,' Jost replied.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Kenan Thompson Is Just Getting Started And Speaking Out On GERD
Actor, Comedian, Author Kenan Thompson When you sit down with Kenan Thompson, what strikes you first isn't the fame — it's the familiarity. It's a warm afternoon in New York as we meet for our interview, and before we even formally start, there's laughter about camera angles and seating. "Wherever you feel comfortable," Kenan jokes, adjusting slightly in his chair as we work through the final framing of the shot. There's no pretense, just a natural ease that fills the room — a reminder that beneath the accolades and record-breaking career, Kenan Thompson is, at his core, someone who makes people feel at home. After a few laughs and some last-minute tweaks to the setup — "Focus is all the focus," he says playfully, turning his head so the lens locks in — we dive into a conversation that's as real as it is revealing. Most millennials grew up watching Kenan on All That, Kenan & Kel, and his role in Good Burger remains a pop culture milestone for an entire generation. But what Kenan has built since then is even more extraordinary: a career that spans decades, a body of work that continues to break ground, and a presence that refuses to be anything but authentic. Now in his 22nd season at Saturday Night Live — the longest-running cast member in the show's history — Kenan is still evolving. "It's wild," he says, shaking his head slightly. "If you told my younger self I'd be here today, I wouldn't have believed it. But I also wouldn't have been out here bragging either. You just keep your humble hat on and keep serving." For Kenan, art is service — a way to reflect, heal and uplift society. And sustaining that for over two decades, he tells me, is nothing short of a blessing. But Kenan's impact isn't limited to what happens in front of the camera. Through his company Artists for Artists, which he co-founded with longtime friend Johnny Ryan, Kenan is carving out new paths for creators to own their work and their futures. "We're just two buds with an LLC," he says modestly, before expanding. "But really, we're trying to change how artists navigate the business. They should have ownership over what they help create. They should be building equity for themselves — not just momentary fame." Projects like the upcoming film The Halloween Store — featuring Anthony Michael Hall, Simon Rex, and Natalie Lynn — reflect that ethos. Produced with a family-driven spirit, the project exemplifies the kind of supportive, creator-first environments Artists for Artists aims to champion. "We're like a 360 incubator," Kenan explains. "Whether it's launching a jewelry line, producing content, or helping talent make smart career moves — it's about giving people tools to build something lasting." It's impossible to talk about Kenan without talking about Saturday Night Live — the cultural institution where he's spent 22 seasons redefining what consistency, versatility and brilliance look like on stage. "I still can't believe it sometimes," he says, laughing. "If you had told my younger self that I would be here, doing this, for over two decades, I wouldn't have believed you." Yet behind the glitz of live comedy and the viral skits is a deeper truth. For Kenan, SNL is more than a platform; it's a service to society. "Art is a service," he says, thoughtfully. "It reflects who we are, what we're feeling. The smiles, the laughter, the pats on the back — that's what keeps me going." As the show just celebrated it's 50th anniversary, Kenan reflects on what the journey has taught him: humility, gratitude and a fierce commitment to staying connected to the people who built him — his family, mentors, and the community that shaped his values. "That place is crazy, in the best way," he says with a laugh. "It's a blessing to have a job — any job — but to have this one, for this long, it's humbling." The secret to his longevity? Gratitude and a sense of duty. "I always remember that it's bigger than me," he says. "Comedy is a service. It's about what we can give to society. And every laugh, every smile — that's the real paycheck." Kenan Thompson Midway through our conversation, a more personal layer of Kenan's journey emerges — his experience living with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), a chronic condition affecting more than 65 million Americans. "For a long time, I just brushed it off as heartburn," he says, his tone shifting — still warm, but more reflective. "You grow up thinking, 'That's just life,' you know? Eat bad, feel bad. You pop a tums and keep it moving. I didn't realize how much I was hurting myself by ignoring it." In Kenan's case, the symptoms weren't just uncomfortable — they were beginning to impact the very thing he relies on for his career: his voice. "There were times during SNL when I'd lose my voice by the second sketch," he recalls. "I sing a warm-up song before every show — high-energy, big notes — and I started noticing that some nights, I couldn't even get through it. I'd be hoarse, cracking on certain words, struggling to catch my breath in cold opens. That wasn't just fatigue. That was my body telling me something was wrong." The tipping point came when over-the-counter remedies stopped working altogether. "No amount of lozenges or ginger tea was fixing it," he says. "I needed real help." After finally consulting a doctor, Kenan was diagnosed with GERD and prescribed FREQUENZA, the first FDA-approved treatment of its kind for the condition. The results, he says, were life-changing. "It was like I got a piece of myself back," he shares. "I could sing. I could perform. I could breathe. You don't realize how much chronic discomfort weighs you down until you're on the other side of it." Kenan's experience isn't uncommon — particularly among men and within Black communities, where there's often stigma around seeking medical care until symptoms become unmanageable. "It's the 'tough it out' mentality," he says. "Especially for Black men — we're taught to be strong, not to complain, not to show weakness. But ignoring your health isn't strength. Taking care of yourself, being proactive — that's strength." Determined to break the silence, Kenan partnered with Fathom Pharmaceuticals to launch the "GERD Is No Joke" campaign, a national initiative using humor to drive home a serious message. In the campaign, Kenan plays a lively chef whipping up delicious dishes — but unable to enjoy them because of his condition. It's a creative, relatable way to bring awareness to an issue too many suffer with silently. "I didn't want it to feel preachy," he explains. "I wanted it to feel real. Because it is real." Beyond the campaign, Kenan also developed a downloadable wellness guide filled with practical tips — from recognizing early symptoms to advocating for yourself in the doctor's office. When I ask him what advice he would give to others who might be ignoring warning signs, he doesn't hesitate: "First step: Pick up the phone. Make the appointment," he says. "Don't wait until the problem gets bigger than you. You deserve to feel good. You deserve to live fully." He smiles, thoughtful. "At the end of the day, your health is the foundation for everything else. Your dreams, your purpose, your ability to give back — none of it matters if you're not here to do it." As we wrap, I asked Kenan about something deeper: legacy. How does he hope to be remembered when the cameras finally stop rolling? "I'm a giver," he says without hesitation. "I love my community. I love my culture. I take pride in representing that, every single day." He leans back slightly, reflective. "You can't give without love. Whether it's a laugh, an opportunity, a moment of joy — those are gifts. And I hope when people look back, they see someone who gave more than he ever asked for." In the end, it's not just Kenan Thompson's longevity that cements his place in history — it's his humanity. The way he shows up. The way he uplifts. The way he makes you feel like you belong, even if you just met him five minutes ago. As our interview ends, he smiles warmly: 'Thank you for this. This was special.' From the stages of Nickelodeon to SNL, from launching a creator-first business to advocating for health awareness, Kenan Thompson has proven that staying true to who you are — and finding ways to give back — is the greatest success of all. And somehow, it feels like he's just getting started.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Noughties Hollywood teen movie star unrecognisable in new TikTok as fans ask ‘what happened to her?'
A NOUGHTIES Hollywood teen movie star looks unrecognisable in a new TikTok, as fans ask 'what happened?' Over the years, Amanda Bynes has had some tough times growing up as a child actor and in the limelight. Advertisement 5 A noughties Hollywood teen movie star looks unrecognisable in a new TikTok, as fans ask 'what happened?' Credit: TikTok / @ 5 Amanda Bynes revealed her new fringe and tattoo Credit: TikTok / @ 5 The 39-year-old She's The Man star grew up in the spotlight Credit: Getty And fans were shocked to see her looking unrecognisable in her most recent video, shared on her social media. The 39-year-old She's The Man star could be seen showing off her new bangs while telling her followers that she'd finally grown them out. She rocked long blonde hair and a blonde fringe, a nose piercing and dark eye make up in the video. The former Hollywood star could also be seen with a heart tattoo on her cheek. Advertisement Amanda added: 'Also my best friend Dylan and I have been best friends for 10 years. 'To mark out best friend anniversary we got matching roman numeral X's for the number ten, I got it on my finger and Dylan got it on her rib cage.' Amanda then showed off her new tattoo on her finger. The star tends to swap between brown and blonde hair, but it's the first time she's rocked a fringe. Advertisement In the comments, some fans said the star looked 'unrecognisable,' as she showed off her changed look. Amanda Bynes sparks concern with swollen lips and chopped bangs in latest video as fans cry 'this is so sad' With a handful of people commenting: 'You can't convince me that's the same Amanda Bynes.' Others were quick to defend Amanda's new look, telling her she looked beautiful and saying how much her new fringe suited her. The star has since decided to switch the comments off for her new post. Advertisement Amanda was arrested for a DUI in 2012; she has alleged that she was abused by her father; she was put under a conservatorship from 2014 to 2022; and she checked into a mental health facility in 2020. Despite her struggles, Amanda has recently been determined to get her manicurist license. In 2018, the former movie star attended and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising but decided not to go down that road. In 2022, she announced that she was headed to cosmetology school. Advertisement Unfortunately, Amanda revealed that she did not pass her manicurist license exam. In a now-deleted update posted to her Instagram last year, she said, "Since I haven't passed the board exam yet to get my manicurist license I started back at school to study manicurist theory and to practice doing acrylics before I take the test again so I'll be good to go when I get a job at a nail salon." Her career as an actress began at the age of seven, where she performed both on-stage and on-screen. A member of the sketch comedy series All That, Amanda later earned her own spinoff: The Amanda Show. Advertisement She went on to appear as a series regular on What I Like About You, as well as in a multitude of films including: Big Fat Liar, Easy A, She's the Man, Sydney White, Hairspray, and What a Girl Wants. In 2018, Amanda received her Associate's degree in Merchandise Product Development. The following year, she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Amanda Bynes is currently engaged to Paul Michael, a man she met at Alcoholics Anonymous. Advertisement She has two siblings - Jillian Bynes and Tommy Bynes. 5 Her career as an actress began at the age of seven, where she performed both on-stage and on-screen Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Noughties Hollywood teen movie star unrecognisable in new TikTok as fans ask ‘what happened to her?'
A NOUGHTIES Hollywood teen movie star looks unrecognisable in a new TikTok, as fans ask 'what happened?' Over the years, Amanda Bynes has had some tough times growing up as a child actor and in the limelight. 5 A noughties Hollywood teen movie star looks unrecognisable in a new TikTok, as fans ask 'what happened?' Credit: TikTok / @ 5 Amanda Bynes revealed her new fringe and tattoo Credit: TikTok / @ 5 The 39-year-old She's The Man star grew up in the spotlight Credit: Getty And fans were shocked to see her looking unrecognisable in her most recent video, shared on her social media. The 39-year-old She's The Man star could be seen showing off her new bangs while telling her followers that she'd finally grown them out. She rocked long blonde hair and a blonde fringe, a nose piercing and dark eye make up in the video. The former Hollywood star could also be seen with a heart tattoo on her cheek. Amanda added: 'Also my best friend Dylan and I have been best friends for 10 years. 'To mark out best friend anniversary we got matching roman numeral X's for the number ten, I got it on my finger and Dylan got it on her rib cage.' Amanda then showed off her new tattoo on her finger. The star tends to swap between brown and blonde hair, but it's the first time she's rocked a fringe. Most read in Celebrity In the comments, some fans said the star looked 'unrecognisable,' as she showed off her changed look. Amanda Bynes sparks concern with swollen lips and chopped bangs in latest video as fans cry 'this is so sad' With a handful of people commenting: 'You can't convince me that's the same Amanda Bynes .' Others were quick to defend Amanda's new look , telling her she looked beautiful and saying how much her new fringe suited her. The star has since decided to switch the comments off for her new post. Amanda was arrested for a DUI in 2012; she has alleged that she was abused by her father; she was put under a conservatorship from 2014 to 2022; and she checked into a mental health facility in 2020. Despite her struggles, Amanda has recently been determined to get her manicurist license. In 2018, the former movie star attended and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising but decided not to go down that road. In 2022, she announced that she was headed to cosmetology school. Unfortunately, Amanda revealed that she did not pass her manicurist license exam. In a now-deleted update posted to her Instagram last year, she said, "Since I haven't passed the board exam yet to get my manicurist license I started back at school to study manicurist theory and to practice doing acrylics before I take the test again so I'll be good to go when I get a job at a nail salon." Her career as an actress began at the age of seven, where she performed both on-stage and on-screen. A member of the sketch comedy series All That, Amanda later earned her own spinoff: The Amanda Show. She went on to appear as a series regular on What I Like About You, as well as in a multitude of films including: Big Fat Liar, Easy A, She's the Man, Sydney White, Hairspray, and What a Girl Wants. In 2018, Amanda received her Associate's degree in Merchandise Product Development. The following year, she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Read more on the Irish Sun Amanda Bynes is currently engaged to Paul Michael, a man she met at Alcoholics Anonymous . She has two siblings - Jillian Bynes and Tommy Bynes. 5 Her career as an actress began at the age of seven, where she performed both on-stage and on-screen Credit: Getty 5 Amanda has been through some struggles in recent years Credit: Alamy
American Military News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- American Military News
Amanda Bynes just wants to chat with her fans. That will cost them $50 a month
Amanda Bynes just wants to talk with her fans — at least with the ones willing to pay. The former child actor has joined OnlyFans. 'I'm on onlyfans now!' Bynes wrote in an Instagram story Tuesday. 'Disclaimer: I'm doing onlyfans to chat with my fans through dm's. I won't be posting any sleazy content. Excited to join.' (Though it has created seven-figure income for some creators, OnlyFans does have a reputation for NSFW content.) She has set her subscription rate at $50 a month and has yet to post anything on her account. The 39-year-old, who did Nickelodeon's 'All That' sketch show from 1996 to 2002, has been trying to settle on a future path for a while now after announcing she was retiring from acting in June 2010 and then unannouncing it a week later. 'Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem,' said Bynes, then 24, in her retirement announcement. 'If I don't love something anymore, I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore, so I've stopped doing it.' Upon her return, she said simply, 'I'm unretired.' Soon after that, life began to spiral for the 'She's the Man' star. Bynes went under conservatorship late in fall 2013, while she was undergoing court-ordered psychiatric care after reportedly starting a small fire in July in the driveway of a Thousand Oaks home. Prior to that, Bynes had engaged in a range of erratic behavior — including incidents involving alleged hit-and-run and DUI— before she was possibly diagnosed with mental illness in 2014. Her parents said in mid-2013 that she was paranoid, using drugs and had spent $1.2 million in only a few months. Bynes' attorney denied that the former actor had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. She accused her father of sexual and verbal abuse in October 2014, then recanted her allegations. At the time, mom Lynn Bynes told E! News through her attorney, 'It saddens me beyond belief that my husband's character could be slandered in such a way.' 'My clients are very concerned about their daughter,' Tamar Arminak, Lynn Bynes' attorney, told ABC News in a statement at the time. 'Despite what is being reported, they are doing everything they can to help Amanda.' Amanda Bynes was soon released from a psychiatric facility where she'd been on involuntary hold and a month later said in a series of tweets, 'I'm so mad at my parents. They are with holding my belongings and money from me so I don't have new clothes or enough money to rent an apartment. We aren't speaking. So until I get a different conservator ill look terrible because I don't have enough to get new clothes or anything I need.' A few weeks later, she apologized through her attorney for saying in leaked recordings that she wanted to kill her parents and burn down her mom's house. She has since gotten sober. In 2019, Bynes graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with an associate's degree in product management. She got engaged in 2020 to Paul Michael, whom she met in the context of rehab, though they broke up about two years later. In 2022, she successfully removed herself from that conservatorship, which had control of her estate and her person — i.e. her money and her body — for almost nine years. 'In the last several years, I have been working hard to improve my health so that I can live and work independently,' Bynes said in a statement to People, 'and I will continue to prioritize my well-being in this next chapter.' She also thanked her attorney and her parents for their help. However, in 2023 she came into contact with authorities twice. The first time, she was found roaming naked near downtown L.A. and placed on a psychiatric hold. The second time, police responded to a call from a woman in distress who TMZ said was later determined to be Bynes. She was taken in for a mental health evaluation. Bynes launched a podcast with friend Paul Sieminski later that year, but that ground to a halt after only one episode. A promised reboot never manifested. Then in 2024 she told fans via social media that she had been struggling with depression. A few months later, in October, People reported that she had collaborated with a fashion designer, providing the original art that went on shirts and shorts. The capsule collection sold out. Now to see if Bynes' OnlyFans effort is as successful. ___ © 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
