Bowen Yang, coming off a huge year or two of projects, will depart Saturday Night Live mid-season after Saturday’s (Dec. 20) episode hosted by his Wicked buddy Ariana Grande.

He joined the show as a writer in 2018, became a featured player the following season and was promoted to the main cast two seasons after that. Yang was a fan favorite with five Emmy nominations over the years.

A Saturday Night Live representative wouldn’t comment Friday (Dec. 19) on Yang’s departure. His representatives didn’t respond to email requests for comment.

In an Instagram post Saturday, Yang wrote: “i loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people. i was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.”

The 35-year-old Yang appeared with Grande and musical guest Cher in promos for Saturday’s show, going giddy with Grande after a face slap from Cher.

Word of Yang’s departure came after a major exodus of cast members last summer ahead of the Oct. 4 start of Season 51. They included Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and John Higgins.

The news wasn’t entirely a surprise. Yang had publicly discussed the idea, telling People in September he had mulled it over with the NBC sketch comedy show’s creator Lorne Michaels. He got a vote of confidence from Michaels and decided to stay at that time.

“Lorne was like, ‘You have more to do,’ and that means a lot, because I even confessed to him. I was like, ‘I feel the audience is maybe getting sick of me.’ And he was like, ‘That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you,’” Yang said.

Of Michaels, Yang added: “That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show. And I love working there. The people are the best. I really love each of them so much.”

In addition to SNL, Yang co-hosts the pop culture podcast Las Culturistas with his friend and fellow comedian Matt Rogers. He was in Wicked and Wicked: For Good as Pfannee and co-starred in the remade The Wedding Banquet this year.

In 2023, he appeared in Dicks: The Musical and Fire Island the year before that. He also co-starred in Awkwafina is Nora from Queens from 2020 to 2023.

Yang and Rogers hosted the spoof Las Culturista Culture Awards on Bravo last summer. Yang posted on Instagram that the two will be back for more pop culture comedy on the awards next year.

Mid-season departures from SNL are not unprecedented. Cecily Strong did it in December 2022.

Among the bits that earned Yang breakout status was his turn as the Titanic iceberg on the recurring “Weekend Update” segment, his favorite place on the show, according to an October interview with Esquire. He also played George Santos, a straight man who hooks up with Gina Gershon and Sydney Sweeney, and a gay Oompa Loompa. And he spoofed Vice President JD Vance.

Yang, the son of Chinese immigrants, was Esquire’s recent cover star. In an Oct. 28 interview accompanying his cover shoot, he told the magazine: “There’s an idea that all of what I do is queer and Asian, which I don’t think is true. I get sick of people reducing the work I do on the show to those identifiers.”

Work, he said, “is not the most meaningful thing for me anymore. The things I like are spending time with friends, working every now and then, not being caged by it.”

Yang noted some advice he once received from Kristen Wiig when she hosted SNL.

“She was like, ‘Have fun. It’s the most fun job in the world, and you’ll miss it when it’s done. You won’t realize how much you miss it until you leave.’”

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Rauw Alejandro Offers Free Show in Dominican Republic

The Puerto Rican artist delighted his fans on Dec. 13 with a free concert called Noche Caribeña at Parque Eugenio María de Hostos in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, bringing together over 40,000 attendees to dance to the rhythm of his hits. Following his Cosa Nuestra tour, the event featured guest performances by local stars such as Toño Rosario, Wilfrido Vargas, NTG, Dalvin La Melodía, YK It’s Junaa, J Noa, Jezzy, Jey One and Saso. The night culminated with a surprise appearance by Puerto Rican rapper Clarent. “Thank you Santo Domingo for being with me this past Saturday at our ‘Caribbean Night,’ a gift from the heart for you,” the superstar wrote on Instagram.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced Argentine singer/songwriter and pianist Noel Schajris will sponsor their next Prodigy Scholarship, also known as the 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship. It will go towards a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music for the fall semester and will include tuition, housing and wrap-around services valued at up to $250,000.

“As a kid, I dreamed of making a living from music. Life and the public have given me a career and the chance to express my soul through songs, and that enormous blessing translates into the opportunity for music lovers to enjoy that incredible experience,” says Schajris in a statement. “There is nothing more beautiful than learning, nor anything more important than education. I can’t wait to hear all that talent, which I have no doubt will move me and fill my heart.”

Executive director of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, added, “We continue to be moved by the generosity of the artists and members of our music community and their commitment to the legacy of Latin music and its future creators.” 

Spotify Celebrates Karol G’s Billion-Stream Triumphs

Spotify release its latest episode of Billions Club: The Series, starring global superstar Karol G as she celebrates eight songs surpassing one billion streams. The fan-favorite hits including “Provenza,” “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” “China” and “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj. The seven-minute episode offers an intimate look at Karol G as she gets ready in a hair salon. In a lighthearted moment, her stylist asks, “What comes first, hair color or music?” to which the Colombian artist replies with heartfelt simplicity, “I think feeling comes first.” The episode captures Karol G in a relaxed vibe discussing the creative process of making some of her hits. Watch the complete episode here.

Eladio Carrión Tees Off for Puerto Rico’s Future

Eladio Carrión hosted the first-ever Sauce Boyz Country Club Golf Tournament at Coco Beach Golf & Country Club in Río Grande, Puerto Rico on Wednesday (Dec. 17). The event combined sports, philanthropy, and community engagement, aiming to raise funds for social initiatives that support Puerto Rican children and youth. Through Sauce for a Cause and the Rimas Foundation, the proceeds will be allocated to nonprofit organizations actively working on community projects across the island.

“Seeing so many people showing up, supporting, and believing in this vision fills my heart,” said Carrión in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who played, supported, donated, and got involved in this. All of this is done with the kids in mind, to open doors for them and show that when we come together, great things happen.” Among the athletes and celebrities who attended the tournament were Rafa Campos, Javier Vázquez, José Vidro, Oscar Collazo, Erick and Lenny Tavárez.

Fox’s KTVU Highlights Indigenous Artists’ Impact in Latin Music

Fox’s KTVU highlighted Indigenous artists in Latin music on Tuesday (Dec. 16), featuring Mexica hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl and Quechua rapper Renata Flores, whom Shawn Mendes invited to the stage during his “On the Road Again” tour — a moment that went viral online. The five-minute segment also featured “Guatemayan” artist Doctor Nativo, Bolivian singer Luzmila Carpio, known as the “Voice of the Andes,” and Oaxaca icon Lila Downs, all mentioned in an interview with Billboard Español‘s Isabela Raygoza as a guest expert. Watch the video interview here.

A former yoga instructor who worked closely with the Reiner family during Nick Reiner’s childhood is spoke to about early behavioral challenges she witnessed years before the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Zabel described Nick’s childhood behavior as complex and difficult to manage, characterizing it as “a perfect storm” that resisted simple solutions.

“As hard as they tried to manage it, get help, address it,” she said, “it’s just beyond any of us to be able to diffuse.”

According to Zabel, Rob and Michele Reiner sought additional support rather than disengaging. After years of group lessons, the couple asked her to begin working with Nick privately in an effort to help him regulate his emotions and energy.

“They asked me to teach Nicky privately, which I started to do, to help him to calm down and channel his energy,” she said.

Zabel noted that while there were moments of progress during those one-on-one sessions, the broader challenges persisted.

“Nick’s issues as a child were beyond any of us,” she said, adding that the family consistently explored different approaches to help him.

She described Rob and Michele as deeply involved parents throughout that time. “They were incredibly passionate, all-in parents doing their best,” Zabel said, singling out Michele as a particularly devoted presence.

“She lived for those kids,” Zabel added. “She was very gracious and lovely.”

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14. Nick Reiner, 32, was later arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. He has not entered a plea, and the case remains ongoing. An arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 7.

In a statement released earlier this week, the couple’s other children described the loss as “horrific and devastating,” adding that “words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”

Zabel said the news of Rob and Michele’s deaths was “shocking,” emphasizing that the couple never stopped trying to help their son. “They tried everything,” she said. “Some things are simply beyond what any parent can control.”