January 7, 2014
Boss Moves: Meet the First Black Female Comic on SNL in Six Years
Sasheer Zamata joined the ranks of other entertainment powerhouses Jan. 6 when it was announced that she will join “Saturday Night Live” this month, making her the first African-American female in the show’s cast in six years, according to reports.
Zamata makes her debut on the late-night comedy show Jan. 18, and hip-hop star Drake is slated to host.
The actress, writer and comedian based in New York City graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in drama, and she honed her skills performing at the famous Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She is most recently well-known for her Web series Pursuit of Sexiness, a comedy centered around the exploits of two best friends described as “broke, single, and (adorably!) self-absorbed.”
Her work has been featured in BUST, Jezebel, Hairpin, Vulture, Think Progress, Clutch Magazine, Time Out New York and The New York Times.
She’s performed for audiences at venues including the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, the Great American Comedy Festival, and Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch Showcase, and she has opened for John Mulaney and the Bonnaroo365 tour.
Listed by Cosmopolitan magazine as a comic to watch, Zamata was brought on to the cast after a firestorm of criticism on the diversity of talent represented on SNL since Maya Rudolph left the cast six years ago.