In defense of Chappell Roan Moo Deng is SNL’s Bowen Yang…
Chappell Roan has been the focus of heated online debate for the last three weeks. Through her vocalization of opposition to fan harassment and her decision to postpone concerts due to mental health issues, Chappell is initiating important dialogues about the realities of being a pop star.
In a Guardian interview, Chappell declined to support a presidential contender, which drew criticism as well. Her statements were misinterpreted, though, and she later said on TikTok that while she is voting for Kamala Harris, she disagrees with many of her views.
Recently, SNL tackled the Chappell discourse in a contentious new comedy featuring Moo Deng, the viral hippo.
Bowen Yang made his SNL Weekend Update appearance as Moo Deng on Saturday, September 28. In case you have not been online recently, Moo Deng is a two-month-old Thai pygmy hippo that has gone viral due to her adorable appearance. But because of her immense popularity, people have begun tossing objects at Moo Deng when she is in her enclosure.
With the intention of defending both Chappell and Moo Deng, Bowen employs terminology from Chappell Roan’s most recent TikTok videos in the sketch. The presenter of Saturday Night Live, Colin Jost, then draws comparisons between Moo Deng’s and Chappell Roan’s experiences, with Moo Deng pleading with people to “leave [Chappell] alone” and cease tormenting her.
The spoof went viral fast and at first provoked some criticism on the internet. Someone countered, saying, “OMFG, this is such a terrible loop. This year, the pop girls have seen enormous hate trains, but this is really starting to seem like bullying.”
“Two men mocking a woman’s mental health real good,” tweeted another fan.
Others, meanwhile, were quick to point out that Chappell was the real target of the skit is defense. Someone replied in response to the abuse, saying, “This is not offensive in the slightest. They are essentially telling us to “get a grip, you guys, and stop treating Chappell Roan like a zoo animal.”
“Bowen is a fan, and she recently spoke to Chappell for an interview. She is literally hosting this identical event in a month,” said another.
