Kate McKinnon revealed in an interview published Saturday that she has geographic tongue, an inflammatory but generally harmless condition that causes patches on the tongue.
"I took a photo of my tongue and sent it to an actor friend of mine. We both have the same medical condition," the 41‑year‑old comedian told People. "It's called geographic tongue. Your tongue sheds in patches and looks like an atlas, hence the name 'geographic tongue.'" She added, "It's gross," and said she and her friend "brag about how geographic we are on any given day."
According to the Mayo Clinic, geographic tongue occurs when the tongue is missing tiny, pinkish‑white bumps called papillae, giving the organ smooth red patches that frequently have slightly raised borders. Some people with the condition experience pain or a burning sensation, most often triggered by spicy or acidic foods. Most cases do not require treatment, though some symptoms may be related to a fungal infection and warrant medical attention.
McKinnon's disclosure follows other public figures who have described the same condition; reality star Sadie Robertson posted a photo of her tongue and discussed her diagnosis in 2020. McKinnon said she hesitated to discuss the topic in a magazine but ultimately spoke candidly about it.
McKinnon rose to prominence as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022, a run that earned her ten Emmy nominations. Since leaving the sketch comedy series she has appeared in several films, including Greta Gerwig's Barbie in 2023. In the People interview, McKinnon said the last thing she took from a set was given to her: a chess piece from the Barbie production. She described the prop and set designers as "incredible artists and artisans" and said the Weird Barbie aesthetic included a full chess set; she guessed the piece she received might have been a bishop.
Last year McKinnon suggested she would be open to returning to SNL, telling Today, "Yeah I'll come back. I'd love to come back." The People interview did not include further details about her plans for a return.
Geographic tongue is typically benign, and medical sources advise that people who experience pain or persistent changes in oral appearance consult a health professional to rule out other conditions or infections. McKinnon did not report severe symptoms in the interview and framed the diagnosis with humor while drawing attention to an uncommon but recognized oral condition.
