Cecily Strong praises Chloe Fineman after SNL exit

Former Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong has praised Chloe Fineman following Fineman's decision to leave the sketch comedy show after seven seasons.

Speaking to Parade, Strong described Fineman as "one of the most gifted impressionists ever" and said it was both "cool and scary" that Fineman could imitate so many cast members, including Strong herself.

Strong recalled Fineman's 2022 digital short The Understudy, in which she performed accurate impressions of veteran cast members such as Kate McKinnon, Melissa Villaseñor, Aidy Bryant and Strong.

Calling Fineman's departure "beautiful and sad", Strong said she hopes her former colleague is proud of everything she achieved on the show and noted that their favourite moments will remain available to watch.

Fineman announced her exit on Instagram earlier this month, calling her seven seasons on SNL "the greatest privilege" of her life. During her time on the show, she also appeared in films including Babylon and Megalopolis, voiced characters in The Simpsons and Big Mouth, and will next star in the romantic comedy Love Language.