Bowen Yang Clarifies Criticism of His Moo Deng Sketch Inspired by Chappell Roan

Bowen Yang, known for his comedic genius on Saturday Night Live, responded to backlash over his Moo Deng sketch, where some fans felt he mocked pop star Chappell Roan. The sketch, which aired during Weekend Update, compared Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippopotamus, to Roan’s rise to fame. Yang emphasized that his portrayal was not meant to ridicule Roan, but rather to support her call for boundaries with fans. “Women owe you nothing,” he humorously asserted in the sketch, echoing Roan’s recent statements about fan behavior.

Following the sketch, some fans took to social media, accusing Yang of undermining Roan’s efforts to address toxic fandom, especially given his recent interview with her for Interview Magazine. These critics claimed the performance was hypocritical, prompting Yang to respond on Instagram. He clarified that his intent was to highlight Roan’s concerns in a humorous light, not mock them. Yang reiterated his support for Roan’s boundaries and her need for self-care, which the sketch aimed to emphasize.

Roan recently canceled performances at the All Things Go festival to focus on her mental health, further demonstrating the importance of setting boundaries. In her statement, she expressed the need to prioritize her well-being amidst overwhelming pressures. Yang’s sketch, far from trivializing these issues, aimed to bring attention to the challenges public figures like Roan face, reminding fans to respect personal space.

Watch Bowen Yang’s full performance as Moo Deng below: