Vanessa Bayer Recalls Keeping SNL Casting Secret

Vanessa Bayer, former star of Saturday Night Live, revealed that she kept her casting a secret from her family for nearly a month due to fears of premature announcement, influenced by horror stories from past cast members. During her appearance on the podcast 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson,' she shared the challenges of lying to her loved ones while relocating from Chicago to New York City. Bayer eventually confided in her parents but insisted they keep the news confidential, which led them to mislead other family members. Despite her excitement, a blog leaked the news before the official announcement, complicating the secrecy. Reflecting on the experience, Bayer found humor in the situation, although it was stressful at the time, as she had been warned by her agent to maintain discretion. She joined SNL in 2010 and remained part of the cast until 2017, gaining recognition for her comedic talents.