Photo:SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE/YOUTUBE
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE/YOUTUBE
Ayo Edebirimade herSaturday Night Livedebut this weekend.
The Bearactress, 28, hosted the late-night comedy sketch show for the first time on Saturday, withJennifer Lopezas musical guest, and during her monologue, the actress became visibly emotional as she explained how meaningful the moment was for her.
“I am so excited to be here.SNLmeans so much to me. This really is a dream come true,” Edebiri said, her voice breaking as she became choked up and visibly emotional.
“I was born and raised in Boston, which makes me the first Black woman to ever admit that. Three days into February and I’m already making Black history,” she joked.
Elsewhere in her monologue she explained the preparation that had gone into her role onThe Bear.
“We all had to work in actual restaurants so we could truly capture that kitchen energy,” she began. “When people saw my costarJeremy Allen Whiteworking in the restaurant, they’d be like, ‘Whoa that’s Jeremy Allen White, he must be preparing for a role, so method!’ And when they saw me they’d just be like, ‘How much longer for my tilapia?’ "
Edebiri had another emotional moment at the end of her monologue, becoming choked up once more as she described her hosting gig as a “homecoming.”
“Genuinely, I am so excited for tonight. I came up in the New York comedy scene with some of my best friends who I am so blessed to be working with here tonight and it really truly feels like a homecoming.”
As well as the actress taking part in various fun sketches throughout the show, includinga hilarious skit poking fun at the viralDunemovie popcorn bucket, and musical performances from Lopez, Republican presidential candidateNikki Haleyalso made a surprise cameo during the show’s cold open.
“I was just curious what would you say was the main cause of the Civil War?” she asked the politician. “Um, and do you think it starts with an ‘s’ and ends with a ‘lavery’?”
“Yep, I probably should’ve said that the first time,” Haley responded, before introducing the show itself: “And live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
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“But I think I stand for everyone when I say from now on, we’re gonna be a lot more thoughtful about what we post online!”
Ahead of the big night, Edebiri appeared ina Wednesday promo videofor her episode. In it, Edebiri delivered an impassioned speech attempting to pump up cast membersMikey Day, Molly Kearney and Ego Nwodim. As the trio lounged in the audience seats expressing their exhaustion, Edebiri dramatically declared, “This could be the greatest show of our lives!”
NBC
She continued, “And you’re just gonna let that opportunity slip away? One hundred million people could be watching.”
“Am I gonna get charged for that?” Edebiri asked.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty
Edebiri has had a meteoric rise in the last year with lead roles in the hit comedy filmBottomsalongside longtime friend Rachel Sennott and in the acclaimed dramedyThe BearoppositeJeremy Allen White. One of 2023’s breakout stars, she crowned her massive yearwith an Emmy for herBearroleas Sydney Adamu, winning outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
TheGolden Globe winnerrecently dropped out of the upcomingMarvelfilmThunderboltsdue to scheduling conflicts. Her next film is set to be a starring role in an A24 horror titledOpus.
Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
