Bowen Yang appeared on Saturday Night Live dressed as viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng, drawing parallels with singer Chappell Roan’s struggles with fame and boundaries.
Some viewers accused Yang of mocking Roan, but he denied the claim and expressed support for her on social media.
Due to her grumpy and unruly behavior, the animal from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi has gone viral in recent weeks. The two-month-old hippo, whose name means “bouncy pork,” is shown hitting her keepers and mother with her head in famous videos.
Yang used Roan’s comment about needing boundaries. “The response has been overwhelming,” he said. “But it’s time to set limits.” Roan has made news in the past month for her claims that “entitled” and “creepy” followers have stalked and harassed her.
The pop artist, who rose to popularity this year with hits including “Good Luck, Babe!” “Hot to Go!” and “Pink Pony Club,” posted several TikToks about her success and how it did not excuse fan intrusion.