Bowen Yang: SNL Exit, Relationship, and What’s Next

Bowen Yang’s name keeps popping up in headlines — not just because he left Saturday Night Live, but because his next chapter is already taking shape. As the show’s first Chinese-American cast member and one of its few openly gay stars, Yang carved a rare space in comedy. Now, with a buzzy role in Wicked and a slate of new projects, he’s showing what life after SNL looks like.

Date of Birth: November 6, 1990 (Wikipedia) ·
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Australia (Wikipedia) ·
Ethnicity: Chinese ·
SNL Tenure: 2018 – 2025 (writer from 2018, cast from 2019) ·
Upcoming Project: Wicked: For Good (2025) (People)

Eight key facts about Bowen Yang, drawn from verified sources:

Is Bowen Yang in a relationship?

As of mid-2025, Bowen Yang has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship. Despite persistent fan speculation, no partner, spouse, or husband has been identified. Rumors that he might be dating Ariana Grande — fueled by their on-screen chemistry in Wicked and Grande hosting his final SNL episode — are unfounded. The Hollywood Reporter (trade publication) confirmed Grande hosted the final episode, but Yang has repeatedly clarified they are just friends. “We’re not related, we’re not dating,” he said on his podcast Las Culturistas (NBC News / Apple Podcasts).

The implication: Yang keeps his private life very private. Fans looking for a relationship announcement will have to wait.

Why did Bowen quit SNL?

Yang left Saturday Night Live mid-season in 2025 after seven seasons on the show — first as a writer (2018), then as a cast member (2019). In a June 2025 interview with BroadwayWorld (theater news site), Yang said the decision came from a desire to pursue new opportunities and to address criticism about his creative range. He and fellow cast member Rachel Sennott delayed their exits to finish the season. Balancing his Wicked filming in London with SNL’s live schedule became “incredibly difficult,” he told the outlet. Yang admitted the strain pushed him to seek help: “I realized I needed Lexapro.”

“Balancing shooting Wicked in London and working on SNL was incredibly difficult.”

— Bowen Yang, BroadwayWorld interview (June 2025)

The pattern: Yang’s exit was a calculated move to protect his mental health and expand his acting career. For fans of his SNL work, the trade-off is clear: fewer live sketches, but more film roles.

Is Bowen Yang related to Ariana Grande?

No. Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande are not related. They are close friends who met through Wicked — Grande plays Glinda, Yang plays Pfannee. People (celebrity news outlet) reported that Grande hosted Yang’s final SNL episode and that Yang first watched the final cut of Wicked with SNL castmates. Yang himself has dismissed any familial connection. “We’re just good friends — it’s that simple,” he said on his podcast.

Why this matters: Misinformation spreads fast on social media. The rumor appears to stem from their close on-screen pairing and Grande’s large fan base.

Which SNL cast members are LGBTQ?

Bowen Yang is one of several LGBTQ cast members in SNL history. He is the first openly gay male cast member, following Terry Sweeney (1980s) and John Milhiser (2013–2014), according to Wikipedia. Molly Kearney became the first nonbinary cast member in 2022. Other LGBTQ alumni include Punkie Johnson (bisexual) and Kate McKinnon (lesbian). Yang has used his platform to advocate for both Asian and queer representation, telling NPR (public radio) that “visibility matters because it changes what kids think is possible.”

• Terry Sweeney (gay male, 1985–1986)
• John Milhiser (gay male, 2013–2014)
• Bowen Yang (gay male, 2019–2025)
• Molly Kearney (nonbinary, 2022–2024)
• Punkie Johnson (bisexual, 2020–2024)
• Kate McKinnon (lesbian, 2012–2022)

The trade-off: SNL has become more inclusive, but LGBTQ cast members still face scrutiny over range and typecasting — something Yang openly addressed in his exit interviews.

What is Bowen Yang doing now after SNL?

Yang’s post-SNL calendar is full. He appears in the two-part Wicked film adaptation — Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025) — both directed by Jon M. Chu. He plays Pfannee, one of Glinda’s friends. He also stars in The Wedding Banquet, a film he helped assemble the cast for, and the upcoming comedy I Love LA with Rachel Sennott. His ongoing podcast Las Culturistas (co-hosted with Matt Rogers) continues to draw a loyal audience. In an Esquire (culture magazine) interview, Yang reflected on the emotional weight of stepping into the Wicked world: “It brought back all that theater‑kid trauma from being rejected at age fourteen for Once Upon a Mattress.”

“Going into Wicked brought back theater‑kid trauma from being rejected at age fourteen.”

— Bowen Yang, Esquire interview (2025)

The catch: Balancing multiple high‑profile projects while managing mental health is a challenge Yang has not shied away from discussing openly.

Timeline

• 1990 – Born in Brisbane, Australia (Wikipedia)
• 2018 – Joins SNL as a writer (NPR)
• 2019 – Promoted to SNL cast member (NPR)
• 2020–2024 – Becomes a standout performer; known for impressions and cultural sketches
• 2024 – Assembles cast of The Wedding Banquet film; first Wicked released
• 2025 – Exits SNL mid‑season; appears in Wicked: For Good and I Love LA

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

For those wondering what comes next: Bowen Yang has made clear he values mental health and authenticity over holding a single high‑profile job. His post‑SNL slate — Wicked, The Wedding Banquet, I Love LA, and Las Culturistas — shows a deliberate spread of risk. For the Hollywood industry, the signal is that Yang can command screen time beyond sketch comedy. For LGBTQ+ youth, his continued presence in mainstream film is an anchor of visibility. The concrete consequence: if Wicked: For Good performs as expected, Yang’s career will likely pivot toward film leads — but he will keep the podcast as his creative playground.

Frequently asked questions

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