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Ego Nwodim is sharing what life has been like since leaving Saturday Night Live — and teasing what we can expect from her next.
Nwodim, who announced her exit from the iconic sketch show ahead of the current 51st season, caught up with PEOPLE exclusively while attending the Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) Honors Gala in N.Y.C. on Oct. 28. During the conversation, the comedian — who appeared on the show for seven seasons — revealed that life has been good since leaving the series.
“It’s been really great,” Ego, 37, says.
She adds, “I’ve been getting to work on projects of my own and collaborate with new people. It’s been wonderful being at SNL for as long as I was able to be there. But now I’m getting to do things outside of there.”
She went on to tease several upcoming projects, though she refrained from revealing too many details.
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“So I have a show at Lincoln Center coming up, which is very exciting. I’m going to do a little bit of a workshopping of a one-woman show. I can’t tell you the other stuff because I’m realizing I almost spilled tea. Good tea. But I’ll let the other press tell you soon enough when it drops,” she says.
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PEOPLE went on to ask Ego about the Oct. 28 episode of her interview podcast, Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim, in which she got emotional while talking with friend and former SNL castmate Heidi Gardner, who appeared on the show from seasons 43 to 50.
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“I feel like one of the most fortunate people on the planet ever,” Ego says of her friendship with Heidi. “Everyone needs a friend like Heidi Gardner. So I just feel very grateful. I’m so grateful for our time together at SNL and I’m so grateful that time together afforded me a friend like her. Feels really, really special. Like added bonus.”
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Ego announced her departure from the late-night comedy show in an Instagram post on Sept. 12. In her heartfelt message, she thanked series creator Lorne Michaels and everyone else who was along for the journey with her.
“The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight,” she began. “But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support and friendship.”
“Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories (and that laughter) with me always ✨🙏🏾😘 ,” she concluded. “Now invite me to your weddings please!!!”
