Former Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Redd is publicly addressing long-circulating rumors surrounding his departure from the show, posting an emotional Instagram video (below) that he frames as an effort to be “a lot more vulnerable and open” about a period of personal turmoil during his time on SNL, and the relationship that he says ultimately cost him his job.
In the six-minute video, Redd describes what he characterizes as a period of emotional instability while he was a cast member on SNL, including struggles with anxiety and prescription drug use.
Redd says he was dealing with what he calls “pill problems” during that time, and claims he sometimes supplied pills to others at the show—a disclosure he frames as part of a broader reckoning with his mental health, assuring his former colleagues in the video, “ I’m not gonna snitch on y’all motherf*ckers.”
Redd also addresses his relationship with the ex-wife of longtime cast member Kenan Thompson, a subject that has fueled speculation since Redd’s exit from SNL in 2022. In the video, Redd insists the relationship was not premeditated, describing it instead as an unexpected connection that developed while he was struggling personally.
He emphasizes that he felt conflicted from the outset, calling the situation “an emotional double-edged sword” given his respect for Thompson and the creative partnership they shared, both on SNL and on Thompson’s NBC sitcom, Kenan, on which Redd co-starred.
According to Redd, he and Thompson discussed the situation privately and continued working together for more than a year afterward. He says circumstances changed once the relationship was revealed to others, and that he was subsequently dismissed from SNL. NBC has never publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding Redd’s departure, and Redd’s account represents the first time he has directly addressed the issue.
Throughout the video, Redd frames his remarks not as an attempt to settle scores, but as part of an effort to be more transparent about mistakes he says he made while “spiraling out” emotionally. He speaks openly about being in therapy and about re-evaluating his anger, relationships, and priorities, apologizing to fans and colleagues he feels he has disappointed.
Redd goes on to say he plans to address these experiences onstage as part of a new show focused broadly on love, accountability, and personal growth. “This wasn’t meant for laughs,” he says, describing the video as an attempt to put his own narrative around a story that, until now, he says others have told for him.
Redd joined the SNL cast ahead of the 43rd season in 2017, making his debut alongside Heidi Gardner, and serving as a cast member for five seasons. He departed before Season 48 in 2022.
LateNighter has reached out to reps at Saturday Night Live for comment and will update this post if/when we hear back.
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Huh. Kenan and his ex-wife separated in 2021, then Kenan filed for divorce in 2022. They share two young daughters. Wonder if the cheating had anything to do with it.
what a selfish prick. There’s no need to drag Kenan’s personal past into the open just to claim you’ve found transparency (and want to promote your new special).
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄