Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Indie Wire is reporting that rising comedienne Sasheer Zamata will become (SNL) Saturday Night Live’s first Black female cast member in over six years. She will make her debut on January 18 along with hip-hop star Drake.
The big announcement was made yesterday after months of criticism over the popular sketch comedy show’s lack of Black female performers (Maya Rudolph was the last woman of color on the show). Last year, SNL performers Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharaoh made headlines when they defended the show’s lack of diversity, claiming there were not enough experienced Black female comediennes. “It’s just a tough part of the business. Like in auditions, they just never find ones that are ready.”
As a result, 12 women of color were invited to secret auditions including Love That Girl’s Bresha Webb. However, Zamata beat them out and secured herself a spot on the iconic show.
Reportedly, Zamata has performed at Upright Citizens Brigade and has appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.
Click here for her website.
Photo Source: sasheer.com
