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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Melissa Villaseñor said leaving Saturday Night Live was her decision, made after she weighed whether to return. In a 2022 interview, she said the choice was about her mental health: she had experienced a couple of panic attacks during the previous season and felt recurring pressure from the show’s weekly creative demands. She also said the show had not been mean to her.
Why did Melissa Villaseñor leave SNL?
Villaseñor said she took time over the summer to consider returning, then decided to part ways with the show. Speaking to Matt Wilstein on The Daily Beast’s The Last Laugh podcast, she said: “At the end of the day it was about my mental health.” She also said, “Last season, I had a couple of panic attacks.” Those are her descriptions of her experience; she did not disclose a clinical diagnosis.
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She described the pressure of having to create and pitch material every week, along with feeling on edge and self-doubt. In a large group where people spoke over one another, she said, she could feel small and nervous. The Los Angeles Times also reported that she found the work schedule demanding. These details explain her stated reasons for leaving, not a general finding about the show or its workplace.
Did Villaseñor say SNL mistreated her?
No. She distinguished her personal decision from a claim of mistreatment, saying: “It’s not like the show was mean towards me or anyone.” Her account centered on her mental health and the pressure she experienced, rather than an allegation that the program treated her badly.
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When did Melissa Villaseñor leave SNL?
Villaseñor joined Saturday Night Live during Season 42 in 2016. The Los Angeles Times reported on Sept. 1, 2022, that she was one of three cast members departing ahead of Season 48. The Daily Beast described her tenure as six seasons. Her explanation for leaving was published in October 2022.
Quick Recap
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- 12 DVDs of the best episodes from Seasons 1-5. Plus a 28-Page Collector’s Book telling the story of the show and cast
- 33 episodes with the original groundbreaking, irreverent, hilarious cast. Plus rare footage of the cast, including screen tests and interviews
- All-time classic sketches including “Land Shark,” “Word Association,” “The Killer Bees,” “Super Bass-o-Matic,” “Weekend Update,” and so many more
- Iconic characters including Coneheads, Samurai, Emily Litella, Chevy Chase as President Ford, Shower Mike, The Blues Brothers, Baba Wawa, and more! You'll also recieve special episodes including Chevy Chase's return to SNL with music icon Billy Joel, plus the historic 100th episode!
- Guest Hosts include George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, and more
Sources
- The Daily Beast, Matt Wilstein, “Melissa Villaseñor Is Living Her Best Life After ‘Struggling’ on SNL,” Oct. 25, 2022
- Los Angeles Times, Christi Carras, “‘Saturday Night Live’ loses three more cast members: Moffat, Villaseñor and Athari,” Sept. 1, 2022
- Los Angeles Times, Christi Carras, “Melissa Villaseñor left ‘SNL’ for mental health reasons after having panic attacks,” Oct. 26, 2022
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