Maya Rudolph is gearing up for her big return to Saturday Night Live (SNL), and she’s beyond excited to step back into her role as Kamala Harris.
The former SNL star stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! recently, where she shared her enthusiasm with guest host RuPaul, reflecting on what it means to portray the Democratic presidential candidate once again.
When Kamala Harris was officially named the Democratic nominee in July, NBC quickly announced Rudolph’s return to the SNL stage, where she first wowed audiences with her Harris impression back in 2019.
“I have to tell you something,” Rudolph told RuPaul.
“I have never experienced anything like this before in any of the work I’ve ever done. This has been such a tremendous, exciting time for me. That feels so much bigger than me.”
Rudolph couldn’t help but laugh as she recalled how she learned about her SNL comeback.
“I’ve played her on the show before, but the minute it was announced that she was running, I think I was home watching The Bear when I saw the news saying I had confirmed doing SNL. And I was like, ‘Wait, I did what?’”
What makes this role particularly special for Rudolph is how deeply personal it feels.
“I would never have believed you if you had said, ‘Hey, one day you’re going to be playing the presidential candidate,’” she said. “To think that I have anything to do with this, even by association, is mind-blowing.”
The opportunity is especially meaningful for Rudolph, who spent years on SNL watching others portray presidential candidates.
Rudolph was a regular cast member on SNL from 2000 to 2007, where she became a household name for her memorable roles. Since then, the actress and comedian has returned to the popular sketch comedy program three times as a host—in 2012, 2021, and most recently in 2024.
