Leslie Jones Confirms Her ‘SNL’ Exit With An Appropriate Hashtag

Last week, it was announced that Leslie Jones will not return for season 45 of SNL. It was not announced by her, though (the Hollywood Reporter got the scoop). On Tuesday, Jones, who has appeared on the sketch series since 2014, went on Twitter to acknowledge why she will no longer appear in the opening credits and congratulate Phoebe Waller-Bridge during the end credits.

“Yes it’s true I am leaving Saturday Night Live. I cannot thank NBC, the producers, writers, and amazing crew enough for making SNL my second home these last five years. Lorne Michaels, you’ve changed my life in so many ways!” she wrote. “Thank you for being my mentor and confidant and for always having my back. You not only have my loyalty but you have my heart too! You have shown me skills I never imagined I had. I leave a better performer because of you.” Jones also thanked her fellow cast members, including SNL lifer Kenan Thompson (“I will miss holding it down with Kenan everyday”), Kate McKinnon (“I will miss Kate’s loving hugs and talks when I needed”), and Colin Jost, who she calls her “porcelain-skinned Ken doll.” What, no love for Kyle Mooney?

Here’s the full thread:

Yes it’s true I am leaving Saturday Night Live. I cannot thank NBC, the producers, writers, and amazing crew enough for making SNL my second home these last five years. Lorne Michaels, you’ve changed my life in so many ways! Thank you for being my mentor and confidant and for always having my back. You not only have my loyalty but you have my heart too! You have shown me skills I never imagined I had. I leave a better performer because of you. To the incredible cast members: I will miss working, creating and laughing with you. I will miss holding it down with Kenan everyday, I will miss Cecily’s impression of me making me laugh at myself often, I will miss Kate’s loving hugs and talks when I needed. And of course Colin, you porcelain-skinned Ken doll. I will miss all my cast mates!! Especially being at the table reads with them!! Everyone needs to know Leslie Jones couldn’t have done any of the things I did without these people. One last thing – to the fans – you are the BEST!! Thank you for all the love and support through my SNL years and I know you will be as excited as I am when you see some of the amazing projects and adventures that I have coming up very soon! Love you all!

Jones ended the message with a hashtag: #IAmNotDeadJustGraduating.

SNL returns on September 28.

(Via Twitter)