Saturday Night Live has pushed back against reports suggesting comedian Chloe Fineman departed the show on strained terms with her castmates. A source close to SNL told the Daily Mail that rumors of backstage friction are untrue, following Fineman's announcement that she is leaving the iconic sketch comedy series after seven seasons.
Fineman revealed her departure on Instagram, stating it was time for her "next chapter" after concluding the show's 51st season. While several cast members offered supportive comments on her social media post, some reports, citing sources close to the show, claimed that not all cast members felt warmly towards Fineman.
Earlier reports suggested that Fineman "rub people the wrong way at times" and that while she "got along really well with some cast members, but not everyone clicked with her." These accounts also alleged that "some cast members felt like she expected people to accommodate her and assumed everyone would adjust to her schedule and preferences," though they clarified it was "not some huge feud or anything like that."
Fineman's representatives have not commented on the rumors. However, the Daily Mail report, citing a source close to the production, directly refuted these claims.
The timing of Fineman's exit also coincided with her acceptance of a role in David E. Kelley's new Netflix drama, "Myron Molitar." According to Page Six, the decision to leave SNL and accept the new role "all unfolded in one day" and happened "very quickly." An insider described the move as "smart" and a "career opportunity" Fineman "couldn’t say no" to.
Fineman joined SNL in 2019 as part of the 45th season and was promoted to repertory player two seasons later. She became known for her impersonations of various celebrities, including Drew Barrymore, Meryl Streep, and Britney Spears, and for sketches like "Snack Homiez" with Sabrina Carpenter and her "Domingo" sketches with Marcello Hernández.
Several castmates and former colleagues shared messages of congratulations and support for Fineman on her departure. Marcello Hernández commented "Congrats Carlotaaaa!" on her Instagram post, while repertory player Sarah Sherman posted thirteen crying emojis. Featured player Jane Wickline offered a pink heart emoji and wrote "Congrats Chloeee!" Ben Marshall, another featured player, posted a crying emoji and called her an "SNL legend." Former SNL staffer Molly Kearney commented, "YOU KILLED IT! Congrats buddy."
In Living Color alum David Alan Grier expressed his disbelief with a dramatic comment, and SNL alum Ego Nwodim posted clapping emojis with "Congratulations Chloe!"
Fineman has also been building a film career, with appearances in "White Noise" (2022), "Babylon" (2022), "Megalopolis" (2024), and "Despicable Me 4" (2024). Her upcoming projects include the pickleball comedy "The Dink," set to premiere on Apple TV on July 24, where she stars alongside Jake Johnson, Ben Stiller, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, and Patton Oswalt. She is also slated to appear in "The Very Best People," "Red, White & Royal Wedding," and "Love Language."