After nearly six years on “Saturday Night Live,” cast member Leslie Jones will soon be making her exit from the iconic sketch comedy show.
“Jones, a beloved member of the comedy ensemble who made her debut on the series in 2014, is leaving the sketch show, according to a source with knowledge of the situation,” reports CNN. “Additionally, Kate McKinnon, who had been rumored to be considering an exit, is expected to stay on board for Season 45, the source said.”
NBC officials have not yet confirmed the news, nor have representatives for Jones responded to an email request from CNN.
Having joined “Saturday Night Live” at age 47, Jones gained notoriety by becoming the oldest member among the cast, catapulting her to national fame. Her reported exit may be due in part to her spate of upcoming film projects and a comedy special with Netflix.
“Cast changes ahead of new seasons are not uncommon,” CNN continued. However, Jones’ exit leaves a hole in the lineup that won’t be easily filled.”
Leslie Jones would often push social justice messages both on and off “SNL.” Recently, she donned a “Handmaid’s Tale” costume and delivered a pro-abortion rant on the “Weekend Update” segment in response to the pro-life laws being passed in Georgia and Alabama.
“You can’t tell me what to do with my body!” Jones screamed as she tore open her costume to reveal a black t-shirt with the word “MINE” printed on it. “This is how it starts. I’m out living my life, then I see on the news, a bunch of states are trying to ban abortion, and then tell me what I can and can’t do with my body. Next thing you know, I’m in Starbucks, and they won’t take my credit card because I’m a woman, instead of the regular reason, which is I don’t have no money on it.”
“You can’t control women,” Jones continued. “When women have a choice, women have freedom. This really is a war on women. If you’re a women out there, and you feel scared and confused, just know you’re not alone. There’s so many women out there that got your back.”
In 2016, Jones teamed up with the music artist Sia for a concert promoting taxpayer-funded abortions.
“Hollywood celebrities, including singer Sia and “Ghostbusters” feminist-reboot actress Leslie Jones, are headlining a free ‘abortion awareness’ concert on Saturday at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland to promote tax-payer funded on-demand abortion,” reported The Daily Wire’s Amanda Prestigiacomo at the time. “The event is being organized by the usual suspects: Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and the Whole Woman’s Health abortion business, as well as other abortion advocacy groups.”
During the release of the 2016 “Ghostbusters” remake, Jones also fell victim to severe online abuse when alt-right racist trolls bombarded her with a cavalcade of insults, prompting her to leave Twitter entirely.
“I feel like I’m in a personal hell. I didn’t do anything to deserve this. It’s just too much. It shouldn’t be like this. So hurt right now,” she said. “I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today … wrong”