Ego Nwodim appears to clap back at Shane Gillis over controversial ‘SNL’ monologue
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Nwodim shared pointed workout posts after Gillis used a slur while joking about women’s gym attire during his latest hosting appearance.
Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Ego Nwodim has responded with sarcasm to comedian Shane Gillis’ comments about women’s workout clothing, adding her voice to the criticism that followed his latest appearance as host of the NBC sketch show.
Gillis drew attention during Saturday’s episode after joking that women who wear short shorts to the gym dress like “whores.” His monologue included complaints about brightly coloured workout shorts and a claim that men are not allowed to look at women wearing them.
According to NBC News, Nwodim, who was part of the “SNL” cast from 2018 to 2025, appeared to answer the remarks through Instagram Stories on Monday. In a gym selfie showing her wearing black workout clothes, she wrote, “Whore reporting for duty.” In a second post featuring her post-workout meal, she joked about “getting my 30 grams of protein in after heauxing.” The former cast member did not name Gillis in the captions quoted in the report, but the timing and wording connected her jokes to the controversy.
Nwodim was not the only entertainer to challenge the comedian’s comments. Cecily Strong, another former “SNL” cast member, posted a joke about heading to Pilates in “slutty” orange shoes and rainbow socks. Her post also raised concerns about how sexual assault cases are discussed, referencing a separate controversy involving Cornell University.
Actor Dan Levy offered a more direct rebuke in a video shared on Instagram. He argued that women wearing short shorts at the gym does not make them “whores,” but that men who use the insult are expressing misogyny. Levy also urged men to support women more openly.
Saturday marked Gillis’ third time hosting “SNL.” He was briefly hired as a cast member in 2019 before being dismissed after previously circulated podcast clips featuring racist jokes drew criticism.
Nwodim, meanwhile, became a familiar presence during her seven seasons on the show, known for characters including Miss Eggy and Lisa from Temecula. Her posts added a pointed comedic response to a debate that has moved beyond Gillis’ monologue to questions about how women’s bodies and clothing are discussed in public.