For millennials who grew up in the ’90s, Kenan Thompson is king.
At the time of writing, Thompson is the longest-serving cast member on “SNL.”
However, Thompson had to work incredibly hard to even get a foot in the door in Hollywood.
In fact, he auditioned over 100 times before landing his first official acting job.
He always knew."
Having faith and determination eventually paid off when Kenan was cast on CNN’s Real News for Kids program.
The gig was for Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken and pushed the trope that Black Americans love fried chicken.
His grandfather then gives him some fried chicken.
Thompson toldVanity Fairin 2019.
The tone of it isn’t lost on him all these years later.
“It was super-racist, and I had a good time.”
Despite the content, Thompson couldn’t hate the money.
He was paid $800, his first proper payday from an acting job.
“Or ‘Thanks for cutting the grass, here’s some lemonade.'”
Bodies change, and with impossible beauty standards to meet, this can be difficult for someone to swallow.
Kenan Thompson released a memoir in 2023 titled “When I Was Your Age.”
His body image issues also followed him into adulthood.
“I was at my heaviest moment,” he wrote, per People.
“I mean leaving Nickelodeon was definitely an adjustment,” Thompson toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2016.
Mitchell also pointed out that audiences initially struggled with seeing the two stars doing their own thing.
“[It] kind of freaked people out.
They’d ask him, ‘Where’s Kel?’
and they’d ask me ‘Where’s Kenan?'”
If it wasn’t for the uber-successful show, Kenan and Kel would’ve never met.
However, they hit a rough patch in 2003 when they both auditioned for “Saturday Night Live.”
Eventually, the pair reconciled on a long phone call.
In an appearance on"Today"in 2023, Thompson shared his point of view.
He went on to say that the entire fallout was regrettable, as it led to wasting time.
Thompson had no intention of putting himself first.
That’s whack.”
While his dedication is admirable, it’s laced with sadness.
“You kind of don’t have permission to not be perfect,” he said.
The pair had been together for over 11 years and shared two young daughters, Georgia and Gianna.
“So, I just kind of told my perspective, basically.”
“They’re my daily focus outside of myself,” he explained.
“They are definitely my sweethearts …
I love them.”
Like in auditions, they just never find [Black female comedians] that are ready."
“It’s one of the more heartbreaking things of my life,” he toldDeadlinein 2019.
Numerous big names have faced this, from Lindsay Lohan to Macaulay Culkin.
Unfortunately, Kenan Thompson knows exactly how this feels.
This proved to be a very costly mistake.
And apparently he turned into a demon."
Thompson was even pursued by the IRS because the accountant hadn’t done his job.
Talking toEntertainment Weeklyat the time, the actor said, “It’s the dream.
It’s historic, mind-blowing, and very surreal.”
Sadly, Coolio died aged just 59 in 2022.
Rest in Power!"
It was later revealed that Coolio died of an overdose.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
