Bowen Yang opens up about demanding schedule balancing ‘SNL’ and ‘Wicked’

Bowen Yang discussed his experience juggling his role in the upcoming movie musical ‘Wicked’ with his ‘Saturday Night Live’ commitments. 

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the star detailed the constant transatlantic travel between the London set of ‘Wicked’ and NBC's New York City studios for ‘SNL’ became mentally and physically taxing, even causing concern from ‘SNL’ creator Lorne Michaels.

“Lorne Michaels is there to remind you that even if you think you're invincible, flying back and forth across the Atlantic for a movie shoot isn't exactly great for your health,” Yang said, referencing ‘Wicked’ as the project he was balancing with ‘SNL.’

While Yang emphasized the incredible experience of filming ‘Wicked’ and wouldn't trade it, he admitted underestimating the demands. 

“I thought I had it all figured out with supplements and sleep aids to combat jet lag,” he said. “But my body just wouldn't cooperate at a certain point. It was a rough summer,  especially considering everything else going on.”

Despite the challenges, Yang previously shared the emotional weight of his final day on the ‘Wicked’ set. 

“Everything about it was surreal – being in Oz, working with phenomenal actresses like Ariana Grande and Michelle Yeoh, and contributing to a film adaptation of this beloved musical,” he told People magazine.

‘Wicked: Part One,’ starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is scheduled for release on November 27, 2024, with ‘Part Two’ following a year later on November 26, 2025.